How many of my 8 bulbs should I run

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Frostyone

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 21, 2008
1,230
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Baltimore
Ok, I just picked up a new 8x54w T5-HO light fixture, currently it's loaded with 4x10K and 4xActinic, my plan was to run 8 6700K Life-Glos. That'll put me at exactly 6wpg on my 72. Now I do plan on running pressurized CO2 and having a large carpet and a moss wall. Would I be able to get away with running 6 of the 8? I'd like to cut down on my electricity bill a little bit if possible.

Lights 004.jpg
 
Did some math according to WyldFya's lighting formula in the end of wpg sticky, if I run 4 bulbs that puts me at a value of 193, 6 would put me at around 289, and 8 would put me at 386

This is assuming 100 lumens per watt, from the mfgr website they said their bulbs produce between 95-105 lumens per watt, so I went with 100 for my calculations.

This is for a 72 bowfront 48x18x23, so because this tank is only 18" wide in the center section of the tank and probably 10-12" on the sides won't this skew the numbers a little?

Below 50 is very low lighting
50-150 is low to moderate lighting
150-250 is moderate to high lighting - 4 bulbs
250-350 is high to very high lighting - 6 bulbs
350-450 is very high to extreme lighting - 8 bulbs

So could I get away with using only 6 bulbs for what I'm planning?

Thanks!
 
You answered your own question!
 
Looks right to me. I'll actually run the formula later when I have more time. I'd run the 8 bulbs anyway, as its only the equivalent of using a single normal house light bulb.
 
WyldFya;2069622; said:
Looks right to me. I'll actually run the formula later when I have more time. I'd run the 8 bulbs anyway, as its only the equivalent of using a single normal house light bulb.
Click to expand...

Yea, I guess you're right. But that's an extra $40 in bulbs :(
 
WyldFya;2069622;2069622 said:
Looks right to me. I'll actually run the formula later when I have more time. I'd run the 8 bulbs anyway, as its only the equivalent of using a single normal house light bulb.
Click to expand...
single house light bulb?!?!?! thats 432 watts! this light alone will cost about $20 per month to run (assuming 12 hours per day at $0.13 per kw hour)
 
jcardona1;2069734; said:
single house light bulb?!?!?! thats 432 watts! this light alone will cost about $20 per month to run (assuming 12 hours per day at $0.13 per kw hour)
Click to expand...

I think he was talking about the difference between running 6 and 8 bulbs.
 
haha ok, that makes sense! i was thinking that must be a crazy single light bulb at over 400w! :ROFL:
 
jcardona1;2069947;2069947 said:
haha ok, that makes sense! i was thinking that must be a crazy single light bulb at over 400w! :ROFL:
Click to expand...
I do have a 400W MH over my 135 now.
 
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