Lighting

[diburning]

I have a 10 gallon that I am planning on making a community. It is still cycling right now.

I want flourescent lighting but I only have 1 spare hood. It is incandescent.

Should I buy 2 mini compact flourescent bulbs that fit into my incendescent for $13 each??

OR

Should I buy a new flourescent hood for like $35-$40?

 

[Fish'InMN]

I have a 10 gallon that I am planning on making a community. It is still cycling right now.

I want flourescent lighting but I only have 1 spare hood. It is incandescent.

Should I buy 2 mini compact flourescent bulbs that fit into my incendescent for $13 each??

OR

Should I buy a new flourescent hood for like $35-$40?

The "energy saver" bulbs sold at retail stores are the same thing as those sold in most LFS! You will have to find a bulb that is listed at 6500-10000K, commonly "Warm White" or "Midday". These are the bulbs that say they consume 9W of power and are equivalent to 50W incandescent or whatever, and are more of a spiral shape.

HTH,
Marty

 

[diburning]

I have a 10 gallon that I am planning on making a community. It is still cycling right now.

I want flourescent lighting but I only have 1 spare hood. It is incandescent.

Should I buy 2 mini compact flourescent bulbs that fit into my incendescent for $13 each??

OR

Should I buy a new flourescent hood for like $35-$40?

The "energy saver" bulbs sold at retail stores are the same thing as those sold in most LFS! You will have to find a bulb that is listed at 6500-10000K, commonly "Warm White" or "Midday". These are the bulbs that say they consume 9W of power and are equivalent to 50W incandescent or whatever, and are more of a spiral shape.

HTH,
Marty

but are they flourescent? I don't want it to heat up my tank. Thats what my heater is for!

 

[Fish'InMN]

They will certainly be a lot cooler than two incandescent bulbs, and you shouldn't notice any difference in tank temperature, at least I didn't. And yes, they are considered flourescent.


Marty

 

[diburning]

well, I don't trust those things because I used them all around my house and they don't have the full spectrum.

 

[Fish'InMN]

You'd be surprised at how well plants will grow under non-"full spectrum" lighting. Find a bulb that says "Midday Sun" or something similar, it should be in the 6000-7000K range.

Why ask the question if you've already made up your mind?