Best light for my 10

[Zimmanski]

Thanks for that, but I already have the aqueon deluxe hood with a 15w t8, so I think if I was going to spend 30 bucks for the screw in type fixture I might as well spend another 30 for the t5, unless I'm wrong in thinking a t5 would be better.

Edit: just watched the video, very nice tank and lots of growth, but are you using co2?

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Thanks for that, but I already have the aqueon deluxe hood with a 15w t8, so I think if I was going to spend 30 bucks for the screw in type fixture I might as well spend another 30 for the t5, unless I'm wrong in thinking a t5 would be better.

Edit: just watched the video, very nice tank and lots of growth, but are you using co2?

On a 10 gallon tank I definitely agree with using CFLs. The advantage is you can usually change the output by fitting higher or lower watt bulbs. That's very handy in a small tank especially considering the bulbs cost so little and they can be used around the house when you decide to change them.

Low cost fixture, very low cost bulbs, grows plants like crazy, you can change the light levels easily, and you can reuse the bulbs... hard to beat. If you do go with T5s I'd definitely recommend the NO over the HO for either a 10 or 20 gallon.

 

[Donkey Gun]

Edit: just watched the video, very nice tank and lots of growth, but are you using co2?

Yes I do have a DIY CO2 setup.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I run DIY CO2 too with the exception of high intensity lighting (2x24w PC bulbs) on my 12g. It all depends on the type of flora you want to keep IMO. I know my lighting is a bit excessive but because i fine tuned my ferts and photo periods, I'm getting amazing growth without any serious algae issues. I just spot treat what little algae i do get.

Here's my tank:
Nano Cube 12g FW Planted Update 2012 - YouTube

 

[AquaticMike]

Check out this guide. It should offer you some help in terms if lighting.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=105774

I also have a 10 gallon tank which I run with DIY Co2 and use 2x 13 watt CFL daylight bulbs on. If you want evidence that your plants will go bananas with this setup I've attached 2 pictures bellow. The time between the pictures is 3 weeks. I only added a small amount of baby tears in between these two pictures.By the time I took the second picture I have removed half my wisteria, and trimmed my water sprite all the way back and let it regrow and even moved some to another tank. You don't need expensive lighting to get good lighting. It's all about PAR.

 

[Zimmanski]

But that's the thing, the question didn't involve co2 and had already talked about getting the 20L so the screw in fixtures really shouldn't have been introduced at all. At any rate, decided today I'd go out and get that 20L and the dual t5 and I'm just about to finish up getting it ready so pics soon to follow, btw hooked up the t5 already and I'm in love with it.

 

[Zimmanski]

More pics, also it's seachems fluorite capped with petco sand if anyone was curious.

 

[AquaticMike]

Sorry i guess the title of the thread being "Best light for my 10" is a little misleading. Nonetheless the distance to the substrate is the most important thing when it comes to light intensity. Both 20L and 10 gallon aquariums have a 12" height so I don't see how CFLs aren't relevant to the the discussion if they work well for a similar tank. With a tank of that height I'm not sure you could get away with not having Co2 with a good light fixture like that. That is unless you can raise the unit above the tank by 3 or 4 inches or more. The chart bellow shows PAR values based on distance for many T5 light fixtures of varying varieties.



Its just something to ponder. Good luck with the new tank it looks like its off to a great start.

 

[Zimmanski]

The title is a title. The first post gives a few options and I was only asking which light is better or best out of the choices given. I also don't think I've ever seen a 30" screw in type fixture but I could be wrong. I think some people are over thinking this thread, and also I think

 

[Zimmanski]

Thank you everyone for all your help, made the decision a lot easier