Annoying CFL bulb question

Alyxandra said:

Sorry for the noob question, but...

Spiral CFL - 65 Watt - 250W Equal - 6500K Full Spectrum Daylight
80 CRI - 62 Lumens per Watt

Would one of these right over a 10 gallon tank put me in the medium light range? I'm trying to learn, but I swear the more I try to learn the more confused I get.

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That is because 1) they don't rate bulbs w/ real useable stats and 2)Depending on the implementation (reflector, reflector efficiency, depth of tank, height above tank, ect) there is nothing to really say.

That said 40000 lumens over a small shallow tank is still a lot of light..
Even w/ old "tube speak" you are looking at 6.5W/gallon..

that is way too much light. i use two 13 watt, 6500K cfl's mounted horizontally in a white enclosure, elevated 3" above the tank and get med-high levels. have to inject co2 to keep algae at bay. good place to start are the stickies, especially "par data for spiral bulbs".

Yeah that bulb may boil your tank water lol. But seriously, I'd go with a 13 watt cfl. Maybe a 23 watt if you suspend it up off the tank.

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Okay, thanks guys! I ordered this one:

23 Watt CFL Light Bulb - Compact Fluorescent - T2 - 100 W Equal - 6500K Full Spectrum Daylight - 80 CRI - 70 Lumens per Watt

Hopefully that one will work better! It'll be in a clip on workshop light, so it will be several inches up from the top of the tank. I will work my way through the stickies.