light watts

[sickduck]

i have a powercompact with four 65 watt bulbs. how do you figure out your total watts. and how much per gallon is that on a 75 gal tank

 

[jimbo045]

Around 5-6 watts per is what I run. JD

 

[InADream]

I believe your total watts are around 260 watts. That would be about 3.5 watts per gallon... I think you need some more watts... What are you trying to put in that tank... I would wait for an expert to chime in but i think those calculations are correct...

 

[pezcubano]

5-6 wpg is a good range for sps. You can go higher if you need it, but the most important thing to remember is that wpg is not the "last word" when it comes to lighting. Distance and location are equally important, so as you place corals in your tank you need to keep their lighting needs in consideration. Light loving should go higher up in the tank. LPS can go lower.
I am by no means an expert, but I've been asking the similar questions to you for a few weeks now and this is what I've heard. For my 75G I had 2 175W 14K MH, with an additional 130W from a dual 65W. I just send back the MH and switched them for 2 250W 14K MH.