Butters

Hey, I'm thinking about upgrading my lighting in my 10 gallon planted. I just have 20 watts of fluresent light() from Wal-mart and was wondering what kind of lights you guys use for your planted 10 gallon tank.

pinkfloydpuffer

My planted 10 gal has 2 compact fluorescent bulbs, totalling 20W. My plants are all lowlight, so it's plenty for them.

lew2000

In a ten gallon tank you have to watch the amount of wattage you use as far heat generation - water absorbs heat slowly but also gives up heat slowly. Most people i know who have ten gal plant tanks/with fish use low level light plants - low level light plants can get by with 1-3w of light - if you try others that require more light then you have to move to compact lights which generate more heat - and with 10gal you have to watch placement for heat - usually some type of hanging mount or extensions to lift the lights above the tank.

Butters

Thanks for the advice, The tank usually stays around 77-79F. pinkfloydpuffer, did by any chance did you get your bulbs from Wal-mart, becuase thats where I got mine from.

pinkfloydpuffer

I got one of them from walmart, and one from petsmart. I can't tell the difference, and the walmart one cost half as much