Do you have questions about lighting?

[hybridtheoryd16]

I found this on another site and thought it was pretty neat. And could definetly help many many people. Besure to see the gauge for light at the bottom to measure light needed.

http://www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html

As most people know Tak Amano only builds the highest quality planted tanks. And his equipment is also of the highest quality. There for his light requirements are the highest on the low/med./high light scale.

So anyone could take these measurements given on the gauge in the site and figure what they need for low/med./high by dividing the number given by 3rd's.

Example 20g = 90watts so

90watts = high
60watts = medium
30watts = low

hope this helps

 

[mgamer20o0]

its not that simple though.... t5 t5ho cf t8 t12 all put out different amount of light per watt then you take into account reflectors. maybe its a ok starting point.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

its not that simple though.... t5 t5ho cf t8 t12 all put out different amount of light per watt then you take into account reflectors. maybe its a ok starting point.

Your right

I thought that went with out saying.

But i think the scale gets you fairly close with in a few hundred lumens when you talk about higher tech. plant specific lighting set ups. Of the correct Kelvin rating for plants.
such as

t5ho
compact flourescent
metal halide

If we are talking about OVER DRIVEN t8/t12 combo's you may need to add around 1/3 to the wattage factor for lumen correction.

Regular t8/t12 would not come anywhere close to this scale. But again that goes with out saying to me.

Sorry for any confusion

 

[mgamer20o0]

what about larger tanks where it breaks down? or smaller tanks where you need more light to get the same effect?

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

Thats exactly what the gauge at the bottom of the link shows you when you plug in your numbers.

Bottom of the page
http://www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html

^^^ 10g tank entered in the scale on the link gives you a value of 65watts
10g tank = 65watts or 6.5 watts per gallon

500g tank enter in the scale gives you-

500g tank = 395watts or .79 watts per gallon

this is why it is more useful then the old untrue 2wpg rule. It accounts for tank size.

 

[poly-nomial]

What if it is a deep tank? It should have a LXWXH instead of gallons thing.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

What if it is a deep tank? It should have a LXWXH instead of gallons thing.

I agree but 90% of 150g tanks are close to the same .

It is in no way a end all answer to what lighting my tanks needs.

But it takes in all the tanks that have been created by what some refer to as the holy grail of planted tanks. lol (Tak. Amano) And lets you know the lighting that he would use for your tank size.

All i know is that the man has built an EMPIRE by planting aquariums. And he definetly knows what he is doing with every aspect of a planted tank.So the scale in the link will provide you with what he would use for a tank that you plug into the scale.

I like it and have used it a few times with good results. I thought someone else may benefit from it as well.

 

[FSM]

Yes, he definitely has been successful. Just look at the prices ADA charges.

Here is another useful chart for T5HO fixtures, based on PAR (which is what matters) instead of watts

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/97622-par-data-selecting-t5ho-light.html

the problem with the first graph is that Amano is most likely using T5, PC or metal halide lighting, which is more efficient than standard fluorescent, and they also have nice reflectors.

 

[mgamer20o0]

lol i think he can afford all those ada lights he sells sure he can do at least tek lighting min......

thats a better link i think. the more people get away from thinking about watts the better though not everyone as the money for a par meter. i think once we catch up to what some of the reefers are doing we will have more of that info sooner or later.