Phillips CFL

Jhonty · 11-27-2008, 04:24 AM

I have a 80g tank and want to go for a planted one. I am planning to use phillips CFL for the plants. As per the thumb rule of 2W-3W / gallon, I would need appr. 80*3W = 240W. The CFLs are 6500K.

My questions
Which one is better
1) 3*23W (each o/p = 80W appr.)
2) Or should I go for 1*100W (o/p = 250W appr.)

Please let me know.

Kayen · 11-27-2008, 04:49 AM

Um, you're counting wattage by the actual CFL wattage.
the 3x23w would only get you around 1wpg...

Jhonty · 11-27-2008, 05:16 AM

Can you pls elaborate ?

Should I count the actual watts 3*23W = 69W
or
Should I consider the output comparable to an 80 watt incandescent 3*80W = 240W

airborne_r6 · 11-27-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhonty

Can you pls elaborate ?

Should I count the actual watts 3*23W = 69W
or
Should I consider the output comparable to an 80 watt incandescent 3*80W = 240W

I am not an expert by any means but I believe that you count the actual wattage of the CF so 3*23W=69W.

Logan's Daddy · 11-27-2008, 09:10 AM

Yeah, when using the WPG rule on CFL's you need to use their actual wattage, not their "equivalent" wattage. a 23w (80w equivelant) is just 23w.

Also, since they are round and about half of their light does not end up in the tank (i don't care how good your reflectors are) they really only count for about 2/3 of their rating so the 23 watters are now 15.5 ea.

For Your 80g tank you need 13 of the 23w bulbs.

My 34 is currently set up this way, I use 8 of the 23w bulbs works great.

IMO you would be a lot better off using 4 foot shoplights with 32w t-8 bulbs in them (3 shoplights for a total of 6 bulbs and 192w (2.4 WPG)

It would be a lot cheaper and more efficient.

Jhonty · 11-27-2008, 04:35 PM

Thanks you guys ....!!!
I think other option I can go for is use 2 100W CFL (each o/p equivalent = 250W)

Hope this does not become too bright .

**Hoppy** · 11-27-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhonty

Thanks you guys ....!!!
I think other option I can go for is use 2 100W CFL (each o/p equivalent = 250W)

Hope this does not become too bright .

The biggest problem will be the heat produced by such big CFL bulbs. Don't try this without having a fan blowing through the light fixture to keep the bulbs cooler.

Jhonty · 11-28-2008, 03:30 AM

Great tips !!!

I have a fully covered wooden hood.
Now a dumb question ....
what would be good ..?

1) Fan blowing the air out of the hood (fixture) eg. exhaust fan.
OR
2) Fan blowing the air onto the fixture -- to keep the bulb cooler. (may be I will reverse the exhaust fan to blow the air in (:0 )

lauraleellbp · 11-28-2008, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhonty

Great tips !!!

I have a fully covered wooden hood.
Now a dumb question ....
what would be good ..?

1) Fan blowing the air out of the hood (fixture) eg. exhaust fan.
OR
2) Fan blowing the air onto the fixture -- to keep the bulb cooler. (may be I will reverse the exhaust fan to blow the air in (:0 )

Both if you can.

11-27-2008, 04:24 AM	#1
Jhonty Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iselin, NJ Posts: 30	Phillips CFL I have a 80g tank and want to go for a planted one. I am planning to use phillips CFL for the plants. As per the thumb rule of 2W-3W / gallon, I would need appr. 803W = 240W. The CFLs are 6500K. My questions Which one is better 1) 323W (each o/p = 80W appr.) 2) Or should I go for 1*100W (o/p = 250W appr.) Please let me know.

11-27-2008, 04:49 AM	#2
Kayen Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 827	Um, you're counting wattage by the actual CFL wattage. the 3x23w would only get you around 1wpg... __________________ Nguyen, K 40B - Fern's Galore \|\| Fluval Chi 5g Iwagumi

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-27-2008, 05:16 AM	#3
Jhonty Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iselin, NJ Posts: 30	Can you pls elaborate ? Should I count the actual watts 323W = 69W or Should I consider the output comparable to an 80 watt incandescent 380W = 240W

11-27-2008, 09:10 AM	#5
Logan's Daddy Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 43	Yeah, when using the WPG rule on CFL's you need to use their actual wattage, not their "equivalent" wattage. a 23w (80w equivelant) is just 23w. Also, since they are round and about half of their light does not end up in the tank (i don't care how good your reflectors are) they really only count for about 2/3 of their rating so the 23 watters are now 15.5 ea. For Your 80g tank you need 13 of the 23w bulbs. My 34 is currently set up this way, I use 8 of the 23w bulbs works great. IMO you would be a lot better off using 4 foot shoplights with 32w t-8 bulbs in them (3 shoplights for a total of 6 bulbs and 192w (2.4 WPG) It would be a lot cheaper and more efficient.

11-27-2008, 04:35 PM	#6
Jhonty Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iselin, NJ Posts: 30	Thanks you guys ....!!! I think other option I can go for is use 2 100W CFL (each o/p equivalent = 250W) Hope this does not become too bright .

11-28-2008, 03:30 AM	#8
Jhonty Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iselin, NJ Posts: 30	Great tips !!! I have a fully covered wooden hood. Now a dumb question .... what would be good ..? 1) Fan blowing the air out of the hood (fixture) eg. exhaust fan. OR 2) Fan blowing the air onto the fixture -- to keep the bulb cooler. (may be I will reverse the exhaust fan to blow the air in (:0 )