plant bulb help

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

i have a 15 gallon with some elodia and hopefully a moss ball and amzon sword when i get the money.
all my tank has is normal bulbs that came with the kit there 15w each do i really need special bulbs also is there anything i can do to benefit the plants growth

 

[medic747]

If your new to the plant hobby I would go with very low light pplants there are some anubias plants that have been growing for months in my tank and all I have is florecent bulbs your gunna start spending money if you have to do ferts and CO2

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

If your new to the plant hobby I would go with very low light pplants there are some anubias plants that have been growing for months in my tank and all I have is florecent bulbs your gunna start spending money if you have to do ferts and CO2

are the plants i have ok? and im on a tight budget im only 14 but i love live plants they look amazing and offer more oxygen but im sure youve know that

 

[medic747]

If you have access to the internet they sell some really cheap plants online and what kind of bulbs do you have are they florecent? Or just a normal bulb?

 

[medic747]

Aquariumplants.com is a good site you can buy from they have good info too. Even a low light plant section and if you want to do it cheap check it out.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

If you have access to the internet they sell some really cheap plants online and what kind of bulbs do you have are they florecent? Or just a normal bulb?

im assuming normal bulb they came with the topfiin 15g starter sold at petsmart

 

[medic747]

I would switch to a florecent hood for sure and see how your plants do!! That is if your budget can afford it.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

I would switch to a florecent hood for sure and see how your plants do!! That is if your budget can afford it.

do i need a differnt hood or do you mean bulb?

 

[medic747]

If the fixture is for a standard bulb you would need a new hood that fits florecent bulbs

 

[fort384]

Are the bulbs screw in incandescent bulbs?

You don't have to buy a whole new hood if this is the case. You could switch to some screw in compact florescent bulbs (those goofy looking curly q type bulbs)... this would be much much better for growing plants. Incandescent lighting isn't good for growing plants.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

If the fixture is for a standard bulb you would need a new hood that fits florecent bulbs

im 99% sure i dont have the budget is there anything i can do with my normal hood

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

Are the bulbs screw in incandescent bulbs?

You don't have to buy a whole new hood if this is the case. You could switch to some screw in compact florescent bulbs (those goofy looking curly q type bulbs)... this would be much much better for growing plants. Incandescent lighting isn't good for growing plants.

yeah there screw in incandescent bulbs

 

[fort384]

There is probably not much you can do with 15W incandescent bulbs. a Pair of CFLs to replace them would be less than $15.

 

[medic747]

Totally forgot about those bulbs good choice!!! For the tight budget!!

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

There is probably not much you can do with 15W incandescent bulbs. a Pair of CFLs to replace them would be less than $15.

perfect for my budget where can i buy them i dnt think petsmart has them are they the same ones that places like target or Walmart sell

 

[fort384]

yup, exactly. Walmart, home depot, lowes, etc. You want the ones that say "daylight" or "natural daylight". They have the proper color temperature for growing plants.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

yup, exactly. Walmart, home depot, lowes, etc. You want the ones that say "daylight" or "natural daylight". They have the proper color temperature for growing plants.

nice i actual think i have a spare layin aroud is there anything i can do meds or anything to help my plants and also will they produce more heat than the incandescent lights

 

[fort384]

cool. The color temp is important though. You want the daylight ones... 6500K-10000K. These will really do well over a small tank like yours... more than adequate to grow low light plants.

 

[fort384]

I didn't read the rest

They should produce less heat, not more.

I don't think you will need to worry about fertilizer just yet. Take it slow and see how the low light plants behave. Messing with ferts effects water chemistry... If the plants do ok without it no sense paying for it or messing with it.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

heat is a issue for me right now i have a breader box floating with 6 molly fry im afraid of a over heat