Beth1965

I don't like the lighting my my 10 gallon tank. Are there other choices for bulbs than the standard bulbs that come with the tank? I've tried different wattage but still don't like it.
Thanks

Lucy

You can get 10g hoods than hold fluorescent bulbs.

Beth1965

Wonderful, another expense. I shall check it out. Might be worth it to me.
Thank you

alicem

They make a 10watt flourescent bulb that screws into an incandescent fixture.
I got one for my 5G at Walmart in the pet dept. It's kind of long like the incandescent tubes are.
I'm thinking it cost about $6 but should last a long time.
hth,
alicem

Nutter

What kind of light fixture do you have? That would have to be the first question. It may just be a simple matter of buying a new tube if it is a standard kind of size & length. I see your tank already has a light in place so there is a good chance that you can buy a replacement tube/bulb that puts out a different quality light.

Tony G.

Ive heard of members using regular energy saving bulbs... the twisted ones, but i dont know if it would be safe to use them

Nate McFin

Like nutter said it may just be the bulb. A simple color change can do wonders. If you currently have a 6500K bulb try a 10000 K bulb. I prefer the brighter blueish hue myself.
Also olders bulbs tend to dim over time as well.
As far as new fixtures go....a ton of choices but I would personally stay away from T-8 and go with compact flourescent or T-5 especially since you have plants. I guess it depends on what you want do with the tank.
I also havent said hi in awile either...so....
HI!

mathas

The other question I haven't seen anyone ask yet is... what don't you like about your current lighting? It's tough to suggest alternatives when we don't know what is undesirable about the present lighting.

It's perfectly safe.

Beth1965

Here is my hood: and i have not been able to find other bulbs for it.

Attached Images

rsz_011.jpg (165.2 KB, 39 views)

Tony G.

from the looks of it you can use regular energy saving bulbs... they fit in there and dont require that many watts...

here is a helpful link:
My 10 Gallon Tropical Community
it talks about the hood farther down

Beth1965

[quote=mathas;692148]The other question I haven't seen anyone ask yet is... what don't you like about your current lighting? It's tough to suggest alternatives when we don't know what is undesirable about the present lighting.

I only know to discribe it as if it's "antique-y" looking, yellow/brown dullish.
It's not the water,, it's the lighting.

I think i will try the energy lites and see what that does. Unless anyone else has a suggestion.

Nate McFin

It sounds like you have a low spectrum bulb 5500K or less. They tend to have more yellows.

metal_fish

[quote=Beth1965;692160]
TRY THEM, I went with an 8 dollar pack of instant on Sylvania's at Walmart.
They are 10 watt Compact florescent bulbs and they produce about 40 watts making my dull incandescent hood bright and brilliant as good as a strip bar IMO for a smaller tank.

Nutter

I think the energy saver bulbs will serve you quite well if they are the screw in or bayonet fittings that the bulbs will fit.
The ends of the bulbs look abit like little MH lights to me but I could be wrong as I've never heard of MH's down to 25w. Is it possible for you to remove one of the bulbs & post a pic of it so we can be certain? If you are sure they are a standard houshold type fitting then the energy savers will work just fine. You can get them in a variety of Kelvin ratings, so it should be easy for you to find one that suits your tastes.

The yellowness is probably from a lower Kelvin rating as was already mentioned or it could also be that the globe is getting old & the light qualities have changed. Bulbs should be replaced every 6-9months & tubes every 6months.

Beth1965

After reading all this I understand lighting better. The bulbs I am certain are household type.
Beth

namehater

when you go shopping for a new bulb, i would recommend some 10w-14w 6500k 'daylight' CFL bulbs. those are the ones that are twisty and any light that you see at the store labeled at 'daylight' are typically in the 6500k area, think some are as low as 5500k. they are very natural looking i think.

i know you have seen my 10g natural tank, i run 2 14w 6500k bulbs in it.

Beth1965

thank you namehater
and everyone else for your input, been helpful

Nutter

Ones around the 6500k mark should be pretty good. Don't be afraid to experiment with different bulbs until you hit on a combination you like though. The bulbs come in many different K ratings. I have seen & used them from 2,300-10,500k. The advantage of a combination of ratings is that you will get different parts of the spectrum so giving your plants a wider range of light to use. 6,500k is a very good starting point though & going under 6000k will probably give you the yellow effect your hoping to avoid.