Question on lighting.... - Aquarium Advice

Lonewolfblue · 06-13-2006, 09:46 PM

What would you consider the 2 Walmart 10W bulbs on a 10G planted tank be? Would it be low lighting, low to medium, medium, or medium to high? I was just wondering because my water sprite that I moved to the fry tank isn't doing so hot, and was just wondering if it's that there's just not enough light. The corkscrew vals haven't done much either, but at least they are still looking healthy, just not growing like they did in the other tank. I also have a red fox tail in there as well, a cutting from my 75G.

**Purrbox** · 06-13-2006, 10:39 PM

Based on Wizard~Of~Ozz's Theory that would put you at Low Medium Light. This sounds like it's fairly in line with the reaction that you are seeing from your plants.

Lonewolfblue · 06-13-2006, 10:55 PM

I wonder if there are larger wattage bulbs you could use. Will check on that. If I could just get a little more light out of them, then I'd be happy, like maybe in the 15W range for each bulb?

**Purrbox** · 06-13-2006, 10:56 PM

I've heard of people using the spiral bulbs (which are higher wattage)... you'd probably want to overshoot your lighting target when using those since you'll lose a fair amount light to restrike.

Lonewolfblue · 06-13-2006, 11:05 PM

Will see if there is a higher wattage non-spiral, as even if it was longer, the hood has lots of room, several more inches in fact.

How about something like this?
http://www.bulbs.com/products/produc...nventory=12998

Or this:
http://www.bulbs.com/products/produc...nventory=12797

My only concern is, they are 2700k in color. Bad for plants?

maxwell1295 · 06-14-2006, 05:27 AM

The Walmart screw-in CF bulbs are 6500K. I think they come in 10W, 15W, and 20W sizes. I have two 15W bulbs in both of my 10g tanks for 30watts total. That will put you a 3wpg, which is medium light in a tank that size.

Lonewolfblue · 06-14-2006, 09:46 AM

The Walmart here only has the 10W bulbs.

TwoHobbies · 06-14-2006, 12:02 PM

Another Option

You could overdrive them with a new transformer, and be about right where you want to be.

Lonewolfblue · 06-14-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoHobbies

Another Option

You could overdrive them with a new transformer, and be about right where you want to be.

I don't think it's possible with screw-in CF's. It's got an internal balast in the base of the bulb I believe. The hood was originaly incandescents.

Alshain · 06-14-2006, 03:47 PM

The ones at Wal-Mart are GE T3's. You can get them in 26 Watt (100 incadecent equivilent) but they aren't daylight. In fact all of the spirals that GE lists on their website are 2700K I just got finished replacing all my incandecent bulbs in my apartment with these. I don't think that these are acceptable lights for any aquarium plant.

GE Website:
Initial Lumens 1700
Mean Lumens 1365
Voltage 120
Rated Life 8000 hrs
MOL 5.2 in (132.0 mm)
Color Temperature 2700 K
Color Rendering Index (CRI) 82

ENERGY STAR® Qualified

06-13-2006, 09:46 PM	#1
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,858 Images: 7	Question on lighting.... What would you consider the 2 Walmart 10W bulbs on a 10G planted tank be? Would it be low lighting, low to medium, medium, or medium to high? I was just wondering because my water sprite that I moved to the fry tank isn't doing so hot, and was just wondering if it's that there's just not enough light. The corkscrew vals haven't done much either, but at least they are still looking healthy, just not growing like they did in the other tank. I also have a red fox tail in there as well, a cutting from my 75G. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

06-13-2006, 10:39 PM	#2
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,207	Based on Wizard~Of~Ozz's Theory that would put you at Low Medium Light. This sounds like it's fairly in line with the reaction that you are seeing from your plants. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

06-13-2006, 10:55 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,858 Images: 7	I wonder if there are larger wattage bulbs you could use. Will check on that. If I could just get a little more light out of them, then I'd be happy, like maybe in the 15W range for each bulb? __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

06-13-2006, 10:56 PM	#4
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,207	I've heard of people using the spiral bulbs (which are higher wattage)... you'd probably want to overshoot your lighting target when using those since you'll lose a fair amount light to restrike. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

06-13-2006, 11:05 PM	#5
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,858 Images: 7	Will see if there is a higher wattage non-spiral, as even if it was longer, the hood has lots of room, several more inches in fact. How about something like this? http://www.bulbs.com/products/produc...nventory=12998 Or this: http://www.bulbs.com/products/produc...nventory=12797 My only concern is, they are 2700k in color. Bad for plants? __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

06-14-2006, 05:27 AM	#6
maxwell1295 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 887 Images: 7	The Walmart screw-in CF bulbs are 6500K. I think they come in 10W, 15W, and 20W sizes. I have two 15W bulbs in both of my 10g tanks for 30watts total. That will put you a 3wpg, which is medium light in a tank that size. __________________ 125G Mostly Malawi Tank 75G Malawi Mbuna 7G Office MiniBow 125 Gallon Mixed African Thread, 75 Gallon Mixed Malawi Thread

06-14-2006, 09:46 AM	#7
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,858 Images: 7	The Walmart here only has the 10W bulbs. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

06-14-2006, 12:02 PM	#8
TwoHobbies Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 357 Images: 9	Another Option You could overdrive them with a new transformer, and be about right where you want to be.

06-14-2006, 03:47 PM	#10
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	The ones at Wal-Mart are GE T3's. You can get them in 26 Watt (100 incadecent equivilent) but they aren't daylight. In fact all of the spirals that GE lists on their website are 2700K I just got finished replacing all my incandecent bulbs in my apartment with these. I don't think that these are acceptable lights for any aquarium plant. GE Website: Initial Lumens 1700 Mean Lumens 1365 Voltage 120 Rated Life 8000 hrs MOL 5.2 in (132.0 mm) Color Temperature 2700 K Color Rendering Index (CRI) 82 ENERGY STAR® Qualified

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