10gallonmadness

I know I asked this question before (Sorry for copying a dead post) but when I introduce live plants to my tank I plan to install 2 Mini Compact Fluorescent Colormax 10 Watt bulbs. One on the left side and one on the right side of my 10 gallon (20 x 10 x 12 ). Will this be atleast a moderate lighting? Or if it's more would be good to know. Thanks!

EDIT: The previous tank measurements were WRONG they have been changed to the correct measurements...

coffeebean

that will be more then enough light. that is 2 watts per gallon, any more then that and you may need to supplement the CO2.

CHoffman

I agree with Coffee Bean. 2Wpg is getting up there. It should work fine for low light and medium light plants. Good luck with your planted tank, they are my favorite.

10gallonmadness

Thanks. I don't really plan to have any plants that need intense lighting. But the CO2 supplement how does that work? I'm just curious as this is my first time keeping a fully planted tank.

coffeebean

i dont do co2, im sure someone else can help you with that.

eiginh

Here's a DIY CO2 so you dont' have to buy the expensive equipment!

http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Diyco2.htm

10gallonmadness

That looks neat, but I don't want to risk a pH crash because my KH can drop low sometimes.

coffeebean

adding co2 isnt necessary for low - medium light. just high light. the most i have on my tanks is 2 WPG and most are under that

eiginh

Old post but where can you get those mini compact light? I want to add more watts to my 10g.

10gallonmadness

I got mine at my LFS. But I now see them in my Wal-Mart too.

eiginh

If you don't mind can you take a picture of your lighting? I can't find it on wal-mart. I appreciate it. I'm trying to add more plants and I need more watts for some plants that I may want.

10gallonmadness

Sure, Here I use my dad camera. It'll be a few minutes.

BigJoe

honestly for FW planted you can just get the 6500k bulbs at walmart... they even started labeling them as that... at walgreens they are called daylight bulbs... you can get 10, 13, 20, 23 watt bulbs and they look just like a standard spiral bulb... and they work with any incandescent outlet on most hoods for 10 g kits...

10gallonmadness

Ok here they are...

10gallonmadness

But are they compact flourescent?

BigJoe

yes... they are... any of the spiral ones are self ballasted CFL bulbs.. you can get more light than you need in a 10g hood... and the 6500k is pretty much the best spectrum i have read on any site for plants

eiginh

10gallonmadess where did you get your hood? I think I need to buy the same thing as you so I can get more watts!

10gallonmadness

My hood came in the 10 gallon starter kit at Wal-Mart. I got it back in the day, but I still think Wal-Mart sells them. It's a standard medium incandesecent fitting, 25 watt per light maxium.

eiginh

Ok, thanks. That means I'll have to buy a whole new kit! Hmm I'm going to look for other ways to get more lighting. I appreciate your help!

10gallonmadness

Yea, that's the downside of lighting sometimes . Well what kind of lighting do you ahve now?

eiginh

I'm using a Perfecto full hood and replaced the standard bulbs with T-8 15 w 10000k bulb. It's not enough light for my future plans . I'm going to start a new thread under "lighting" I don't want to hijack your thread

10gallonmadness