I have three 26W (6500K) compact fluorescent bulbs hanging about 12 inches above my 40 gallon breeder. I have seen the chart for T8 and T5 bulbs and I am wondering if my current lighting is adequate for plants that require medium lighting. Any input is appreciated!

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29 gallon planted tank
- 8 harlequin rasboras
- 7 neon tetras
- Kribensis pair with fry
- 3 nerite snails

40 gallon breeder
- stock to be determined!

20 gallon high (maintained at work)
- 6 serpae tetras
- 4 peppered corydoras

5 gallon hex (maintained at work)
- crowntail betta

78 watts over a 40g is probably ok.

try it and see what happens.

my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

WPG comparisons don't work with spiral CFLs. I had 3-26W over my 29G and they were just a couple of inches above the tank. I may have been able to grow a few medium light plants, but not many.

Putting those lights that high above the tank will affect the amount of PAR they produce and will in turn significantly impact how much the plants will get.

Are the lights mounted pendant style? Horizontal?