What is the ideal light for a heavily planted 10 gallon aquarium?

[Cich--Oh]

I was sold a dual 40w satellite with an actinic blub for 170 dollars at the LFS. After researching my buy, I'm finding that this is a light for reef aquariums. Did they rip me off? I will it definitely help me grow any species of plant?

 

[BigJim]

Actinic bulbs really won't do much for plants and 80w is really too much light for a 10g. I'm not sure if you got a deal or not, but the light would be better suited for a larger tank.

I'd only use one daylight bulb in the fixture over a 10g and then replace the actinic with a daylight spectrum bulb when you get a larger tank. Even with one 40w over a 10g, you're going to need CO2 and fertilizers or you'll end up with a soup of algae.

 

[mgamer20o0]

yes they did. thats way to much light like bigjim said. there is no ideal light out there. it really depends on what type of set up you want. a lot of people take the incandescent hoods and put 2 cfl bulbs in there. depending on how many watt bulb you toss in there it can grow low to medium light plants.

 

[joy13]

Mgamer is right on with the spiral type of bulbs that is what I use on anything 10 gallons and under. I like easy care no fuss planted tanks, more natural without a lot of fertilizers and CO2.

Hopefully they will take it back.

 

[Purrbox]

Actually since these small aquariums requires a lot more WPG than larger aquariums to hit the various lighting levels, you would be fine using that fixture as long as you're planning to use CO2 and ferts. I use one with a daylight and a 50/50 bulb for approximately 6WPG and it behaves like a high light aquarium.