stupid lighting question

[mrbigmuscles]

So I am looking at buying a better light for my 46gal bowfront (right now it has 40 watts... lame). Is purchasing a fixture with 3 30 watt bulbs really giving me 90 watts? Is it the same as one 90 watt bulb? I think I know that lumens are involved but don't really understand the relationship. Also, if I get 110 watts in Compact flourescent, am I going to have to do co2 injection? because I'd rather not, that seems like too much trouble (i'm lazy). But the 30X3 = 90 watts is really the question I want answered. educate me

[ashdavid]

Well Mrbigmuscles, you are getting the same wattage out of 3*30w bulbs as a single 90w bulb, but it will be spread over a greater surface area, with a single bulb you wont get even lighting. I suggest you go for the 3*30 bulb idea. 110w is getting close to needing Co2 , is the tank planted? Cheers.

[Aries]

My guess is the 3x30 are Normal Output lights - just a guess. When you compare to a single 90W light, the 90W light most likely is a Power Compact Fluorescent Light. PCF's are more "effecient" than NO lights IMO thus more beneficial to your plants. I would opt for the PCF over the 3x30 NO fixture. Plus, since you have a bowfront, space can be limited near the front and a 3 bulb fixture could look odd if it has to overhang the front area.

Now, PCF are more effecient for plants because they produce more Lumens per watt than NO lights (boths PCF and NO lumens can vary per bulb). There is more to it but that is the basic gist.

110W PCF lighting on a 46G Bow will yield about 2.4WPG. This is very close IMO to requiring some form of CO2 (whether it be DIY or presurrized or other). If it was me, I would add CO2. It may not be necessary depending on your plant load and if you keep the tank balanced.

If you dont want CO2, going with the 3x30 will be best. This puts you at just below 2WPG on NO lighting. This would be much more safe if you dont inject CO2.


is the tank planted? Definately a logical question but I am assuming yes this is becoming or is a planted tank because of the location of the post. Yes??

Good Luck

Aries

[mrbigmuscles]

the tank is not planted.... yet! because it only has 40 watts you see. thanks for answering my question guys. i believe i will get the 3X30, but i'm not sure about the size (overhanging the front). thanks for answering my question!

[ashdavid]

the tank is not planted.... yet! because it only has 40 watts you see. thanks for answering my question guys. i believe i will get the 3X30, but i'm not sure about the size (overhanging the front). thanks for answering my question!
You can still go planted with 90w on that tank.

[mrbigmuscles]

You can still go planted with 90w on that tank.

Oh I know. I just mean I have to verify if it will fit; the tank is a bowfront you see so I'm not sure about the measurements and all.