Increase lighting for 10 gallon tank

[verucaproduce]

Hey...I have been reading about people modifying the lighting on their tanks in order to make plants grow more efficiently. Currently I have a 10 gallon with a standard 15watt fluorescent bulb and I am wondering exactly how I could change it to make it brighter.
From what I understand I would be able to buy a glass top for the aquarium and a hood with a spot for two bulbs. Is that correct?
Does anyone have any other ideas that wouldn't require buying shop lights and building a canopy to disguise them? Or anything that wouldn't completely break the bank?

 

[grimlock3000]

www.ahsupply.com

 

[Mr Burns]

i have a 2x13 AHS kit on my ten gal (look at it in another thread here) it's great, but i may upgrade in a few months to 1x36 and make my own hood. the 2x13 kit can be retro-fitted into a standard aquarium hood, which is what i did. the 1x36 will require more modification or making your own canopy. i would strongly suggest against getting the 1x36 until you know what you're doing, otherwise you'll get algae out the wazoo and you'll end up feeling like the hobby has become a burden.

btw, the 2x13 retro-fit kit was only about $35...cheap cheap cheap!

 

[verucaproduce]

Mr. Burns,
That is a really neat idea. I didn't know that could be done.
A couple of questions for you (I wasn't able to find the other thread you mentioned)...and please bear with me because I am not up on my retro-fitting.
What do they mean by

NOTE, however, that you should not use a light strip retrofitted with two 13watt CF bulbs on top of a regular plastic tank cover.

Are they talking about the edging on the aquarium or that you aren't able to use it with an existing plastic cover?
I guess I should explain. My cover is plastic with the hinged part on the front, a small space along the back for filter, heater, etc and then the flourescent light sits on a piece of glass which has been siliconed to the plastic.
Would I have to buy the glass top for the tank, ditch the existing top and just use the existing lighting fixture?
I know I sound like a moron, but it is ok...because I feel like one too! lol

 

[grimlock3000]

"Would I have to buy the glass top for the tank, ditch the existing top and just use the existing lighting fixture? "

You need to get a glass top, and not use the plstic one that you already have.

 

[hashbaz]

If I was you I would simply buy a plant bulb for your existing setup. (under $10) 15 watts for 10 gallons is enough for many low-light plants. I wouldn't spend too much on a 10 gallon tank because (if you're like me) you'll soon want something bigger. The plant bulbs have a higher percentage of their light at the wavelengths that are absorbed most efficiently by chlorophyll - so they are more effective.

I recently bought a twin tube fixture thinking that it would fit on my existing hood. It didn't so I bought a glass hood. Keep in mind that only some of the glass hoods are designed to fit a twin tube - it should be specifically labeled.

*edit* I just did a little looking and don't think they make a twin tube to fit a 10gal unless you go to CF or something.

 

[Mr Burns]

i'll post a picture of my set up for you tomorrow. the retro-fit process took me about an hour and their directions are incredibly simple to follow.

 

[Mr Burns]

ok, i had a few minutes to take pictures of the retro-fit lighting while the oil drains from my car....

this is the AHSupply 2x13 retro-fit kit. $35 or so. it fits in a standard 10gal hood, as shown.

 

[verucaproduce]

Wow. So you didn't even have to get a glass cover for your tank? Did you have to do any extra venting on the light fixture or no?
Maybe I CAN handle this.

 

[Mr Burns]

no extra venting needed, no glass cover.