48" Flourescent Wattage

[bxj124]

I thought I had this down... I was wrong.

I have read that wattage of NO Flourescents was directly related to tube length.
I have read that 48" NO tubes would give 40 watts.

This fixture is sitting on my 48" tank:
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=23885;category_id=1853;pcid1=1843;pcid2=
I flipped it over just now and it says 32 watts on each of the bulbs!

I am probably missing something, could anyone help, please?

Brian

 

[Kasakato]

40w is right.

 

[nugs]

I believe T-8 48" bulbs are 32 watt.

 

[bxj124]

Much appreciated nugs. They must be T-8's.

The fixture has a sticker on the back that indicates 106 W.
I'm guessing that this is the max and I am stuck with 96 W from this hood. :sad
Oh well.

Thanks!

 

[Kasakato]

Ya, it says T-8 on that page. Have you looked at CF?

 

[bxj124]

I should have read up a bit more, I didn't know that T-8's were lower wattage. Can't remember reading that

Not what I had in mind, but I've got the 96 plus two other 24" fixtures over 48 inches of tank (~70 gal). Seems to be doing well for my plants so far.

Maybe CF for my next (third) tank......

Thanks for the help!

 

[RTR]

Some T8s are 40W, others are lower. T5s are lower. The lower wattage 48" tubes tend to a bit higher output per Watt. Some require different ballasts, some work on conventional 40W ballasts.

The wattage once was closely tied to tube length, but that is gone now.