lighting question

[crittergal]

After hearing and seeing my new adventure of trying my hands at live plants in my tanks ,my sister in lwas wants to try some in her 10gal to she if she can grow them also. But my question is she said is doesnt have the same top like I do. I have florescent with plant (65000) bulbs in them and she said hers is screw in bulbs (incandescent) . She was wondering if those bulbs walmart sell (by aqua culture) called aquarium plant growth . They are 15 w/120 v Would 2 of those bulbs work for her 10 gal tank or is there any other bulb that is incandesent that she would need to get. She doesnt want to buy new top if she doesnt have to .I told her to hold off doing anything until I hear back from my advice board (LOL)

 

[jetajockey]

Don't get the incandescent bulbs if that's the ones she is thinking of. Get the CFL's, walmart has them in the fish section as well.

Walmart.com: Lights Of America 10 Watt Mini Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb, 1ct: Fish

 

[aqua_chem]

If not at walmart then home depot. They're basically the same bulbs, but the word "aquarium" usually doubles the price of things.


EDIT: Also, I have two 13w bulbs in a 10g, and it's actually a nice amount of light. Wisteria goes bonkers, crypts are happy, etc. Very little algae.

 

[jetajockey]

sometimes the regular household CFLs don't fit very well in some of the stock hoods, the narrow ones I linked work great though, the biggest thing is to be sure you get something in daylight (usually around 6500k-ish)

 

[BigJim]

+1 Any CFL in the daylight spectrum range will be better than an incandescent.

 

[FastFly67]

sometimes the regular household CFLs don't fit very well in some of the stock hoods, the narrow ones I linked work great though, the biggest thing is to be sure you get something in daylight (usually around 6500k-ish)

Quote for importance! As jeta said, the regular bulb won't fit but I know for a fact they make the sunlight bulb in a small size.