Could I Grow Plants With these??

[vanimal]

Could I grow plants with 2 of these on a 10 gallon tank?? They are 60 Watt equivalent.

 

[Austin.b]

How many watts is each bulb? The equivalent watt dosent matter actually lol

 

[vanimal]

14 each

 

[aqua_chem]

You can. They might not fit in some hoods though.

 

[vanimal]

I already have them in. So you guys think they will work?

 

[aqua_chem]

Depends on what you mean by 'work'. Will they put off light? Sure. Will they grow plants? Probably.

The thing you should understand is that it's less than optimal. Those 'screw' type CFLs, while being the most common, give off the highest light in line with the socket ('polar'). The U-tubed type that you often see in 10w size sold at fish stores emit light perpendicular to he bulb ('equatorial'). The former is better suited for brooders or gooseneck lamps, but will work in an aquarium hood just fine.

 

[vanimal]

Depends on what you mean by 'work'. Will they put off light? Sure. Will they grow plants? Probably.

The thing you should understand is that it's less than optimal. Those 'screw' type CFLs, while being the most common, give off the highest light in line with the socket ('polar'). The U-tubed type that you often see in 10w size sold at fish stores emit light perpendicular to he bulb ('equatorial'). The former is better suited for brooders or gooseneck lamps, but will work in an aquarium hood just fine.

Thank you. Ill put in some cheap plants and see how they do.

 

[cyris69]

Go to the hardware store and get lamp domes.

This was my setup before I bought a proper quad t5ho fixture and way before it was heavily planted. They do work well I'm using the 23 watt versions though. I have both domes on my 10 gallon shrimp tank now. They make the java moss pearl quite well.

 

[maxwellag]

If your hood is a typical 10g that usually has 2 incandescent bulbs, yes, they will work. However, the reflectors in the hood are for incandescent bulbs, so you may want to make your own reflectors using something reflective. I have the same exact lighting you do on my 10g accept I tin foiled the whole hood. I grow low and medium light plants in mine: java moss, ludwigia arcuata, marimo moss balls, and anacharis.

 

[aqua_chem]

Go to the hardware store and get lamp domes.

This was my setup before I bought a proper quad t5ho fixture and way before it was heavily planted. They do work well I'm using the 23 watt versions though. I have both domes on my 10 gallon shrimp tank now. They make the java moss pearl quite well.

I've done that with brooder lamps as well.

 

[maxwellag]

Go to the hardware store and get lamp domes.

This was my setup before I bought a proper quad t5ho fixture and way before it was heavily planted. They do work well I'm using the 23 watt versions though. I have both domes on my 10 gallon shrimp tank now. They make the java moss pearl quite well.

Also a good option. I used one on my 5g tank for a while. I grew HC well with a 26w CFL in it. These are commonly called brooder lamps. I'd use two 8" wide lamps with 26w CFLs in each placed directly above the tank, if you do go that route.