Ligthing...Mini lights from coralife

[PK Tester]

Has anyone ever used these lights :

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11382&N=2004+113030

Im wondering if they would be any good for some plants for a freshwater aquarium.

I understand they only give 1.8 wpg.

I'm considering turning my 10 gallon into a planted...


TIA for any help!

 

[hashbaz]

The watt per gallon rule is not very accurate for smaller tanks. I would suggest a bit more light than that.

 

[malkore]

the shape of the bulbs don't allow all the light to make it in the tank. double up on wattage when using those, especially on a smaller tank.

 

[workfortheman]

If the actinic bulb is blue (i think it is?) it will promote algae growth and won't contribute to plant growth. BUT i'm not sure if that bulb is for sure blue, just a warning!

 

[malkore]

get teh Mini-Freshwater Aqualight to ensure you have plant bulbs and no actinic's

 

[Phlegethon]

I have used the mini-freshwater aqualight on a 5.5 gallon for six months. I'm growing dwarf hairgrass in it and it is doing very well. I don't think it would be enough for a ten gallon though. Coralife "aqualights" come in a 20" size that works well, gives off 28 watts. They don't cost that much more than the mini, though the only place I've found to buy them online is BigAl's.

tinytanks are cool though. I'm starting a new brackish one with the mini, filled with lilaeopsis brasilensis...

 

[Newbneedshelp]

This is what im going to be useing for my 10 gal when i start planting it. (Dont know if the link will work lol)

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=24057;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

 

[malkore]

www.hellolights.com sells the 1x28w freshwater light

 

[hashbaz]

Newbeneedshelp: is this you one you meant? It comes with a 6700 bulb instead of actinic.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=29549;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

PS, I have my eye in this one too.

edit: 24in 65 watt also seems a little big (wattage and length) for a 10gal.

 

[Umberle]

http://www.hellolights.com/24daybulbs.html

ok explain this to me....how is it that you can find 20W search and search and search for something over 20 and then there's 75W and how is 75W the next highest thing for 24" so confused. I'm sure there is something I don't get.

 

[malkore]

55 or 65w is the norm for single bulb 24" fixtures...add a second bulb and they go to 110-130watts.

 

[Phlegethon]

10 gallons is 20" isn't it?
I couldn't find the 20" coralife fixture sold with the freshwater bulb, had to buy one seperately...

 

[PK Tester]

Wow thanks for all the info..I haven't logged in for a while! I think I may just not go plants on my 10 gal and end up puying a whole new aquarium we will see though!