I bought one of those 10 gallon kits from Petsmart that came with all the equipment you need to set up a freshwater tank. My wife and I have been using it for quarantine and growing fry that we can rescue from our 55g tank, but I'd like to keep it a little bit planted too.
The current hood fits two tube-style incandescent bulbs, running at 10W each (I think).
Essentially, my biggest question is: Can I simply buy CF spiral or tube bulbs, screw them into my existing hood in place of the incandescent bulbs, and expect it to work? I'd like to replace the lighting because I want bulbs that last longer, are more suited to growing a few plants, and don't heat the tank so much. However if I'd have to change the hood, fixtures, sockets, etc. then it's not worthwhile to me.
And if it is possible to swap them, what am I looking for in a CF bulb? I understand that a bulb with full spectrum or "daylight" type is better for plant growth. What should I look for in a wattage rating (or is there a maximum wattage printed on the hood that I should follow instead?)
One final question: how does a conversion from incandescent wattage/CF wattage to NO wattage work (so I can work out an estimated gain in light output)?
Any help you can give would be much appreciated!
The current hood fits two tube-style incandescent bulbs, running at 10W each (I think).
Essentially, my biggest question is: Can I simply buy CF spiral or tube bulbs, screw them into my existing hood in place of the incandescent bulbs, and expect it to work? I'd like to replace the lighting because I want bulbs that last longer, are more suited to growing a few plants, and don't heat the tank so much. However if I'd have to change the hood, fixtures, sockets, etc. then it's not worthwhile to me.
And if it is possible to swap them, what am I looking for in a CF bulb? I understand that a bulb with full spectrum or "daylight" type is better for plant growth. What should I look for in a wattage rating (or is there a maximum wattage printed on the hood that I should follow instead?)
One final question: how does a conversion from incandescent wattage/CF wattage to NO wattage work (so I can work out an estimated gain in light output)?
Any help you can give would be much appreciated!