hop2jr

Ok what type of bulb t12, t8, t5, Florecent is used as a standerd for the 1 or 2 watts per gallon ratio? I had 2 t8 32watt lamps I thought = 64 watts on a 75 gallon tank = 8.5wpg I added DYI CO2 and 1 more 32watts t8 =96watts 75gal tank=1.28wpg I thought. What I read was t8 32watt is equal to 56watt t12 which would mean that I really have 168watts and 2.24wpg of light is this true? If so I know why I'm having very form of aglea blackbeard,bluegreen,greenhair, just started about 2 weeks ago I turned of 1 t8 for now. Oh they all have 6500k lamps. Just trying to get this straight about the wattage thing if 2.24wpg is right will invest in pressurised CO2 system soon.

Matt

I am 99% certain its the T5's

Hope That Helps

From Matt

fishchick

what is the t8 lighting , i have been looking for a uv lighting ?

GreenMan13

t8 lights are just a type of bulb not a uv light. I have not heard of anything about a t8 bulb being equal to almost 2 times a t12 bulb. Most florescent bulbs are on the same efficiency level so they will give off the same amount of light per watt. This does vary a little but just as much from brand to brand rather then type to type. This is also not a large difference as if it was that company would have made a huge breakthrough in florescent lighting technology. Plants need so much energy in the form of light and a t8 or t12 bulb will give off about the same amount.

To show this. Off of GE Lighting:

A 32 watt 4100K T8 bulb gives off 2385 lumens as an avg.
A 34 watt 4100K T12 gives off 2280 Lumens as an avg.

Lumens is the amount of actual energy given off in the form of light. The growth of the algea is probably due to too much nitrate in the system.

Fla_Larry

more importantly that the wattage, what is your Co2 count? it needs to be around 30ppm or you will have major algae blooms