How do you know how many watts you have per gallon

[longdrinkofwater31]

How do you figure out how many watts per gallon you have?

 

[sammydee]

Uhhh... you get your watts of lighting... and divide it by how many gallons your tank is - that gives you your watts per gallon.

Hope this helps.

 

[Navarre]

i have 400w halide. and 100 gallon tank. 400/100= 4 So 4 watts per gallon

 

[canyoubelieveit]

I'm looking into a 250W halide for my 40B (or my 45L).

That would make it 6.25 WpG (or 5.5 WpG)

Is this too much... Can I have too much wattage?

 

[J-Money]

I'm looking into a 250W halide for my 40B (or my 45L).

That would make it 6.25 WpG (or 5.5 WpG)

Is this too much... Can I have too much wattage?

you can if it boils your tank

 

[canyoubelieveit]

Another option would be a 175W MH. This makes is 4.3 WpG for the 40b and about 3.9 WpG for the 45L. Does this sound like a better fit? AND... I would save 5 dollars!!!! YAY!!! hahahaha

 

[Great Lakes]

I think you would have a larger selection of bulbs to choose from if you went wit the more popular 250w though.

GL

 

[Navarre]

the most popular sizes in the UK are 150w, 250w and 400w. Over here you can get any marine bulb for any one of these wattages (except the 50k which is designed for the 150w units)

 

[canyoubelieveit]

The lights I have looked at say "10,000 k" / 250 W. Is this the right light to be looking at?

 

[pleder]

That light should be fine.

 

[Navarre]

Yep that light is fine, providing you can be sure the ballasts are not mercury. If its a halide light designed for marines then this wont be a problem. If its a lowbay or similar type of light then i would suggest you find out. Any other type of ballast is ok with the bulb but if its mercury then its not suitable.