Best lighting for a Betta

I'm trying to figure out which lights would be best for a betta in a tank without live plants.

I put a 13W mini-twist fluorescent light in, and loved the look of it, but i'm worried that it would be too close to the water. Are aquarium lights specifically for aquariums, or can normal everyday bulbs be used?

I've been looking at pet stores but I can't find any fluorescent bulbs that would fit in place of incandescents, aside for these power savings bulbs - which I don't know if I can use or not...

Little help? Thanks.

 

aquarium lights generally aren't made to withstand water any better than a household bulb. Whatever you use, you should be sure that it is protected from tank water

 

Yup most house bulbs aren't the right spectrum either and will look bad or will promote growth of algae with or without live plants. there's one, and also wal-mart sells ones that screw in the fish section that I use now and have good results with, looks very nice. both replace the incadescent bulbs.

 

Thanks. Would those mini-compact bulbs heat up as much as incandescent? my temperature rises about 4 degrees with this light on for 6-8 hours.

 

No they will not do as much as the incandescent bulbs but there will be a small raise. Not enough to make a big difference though. I use the Colormax MinI Fluorescent as they are specially made for freshwater aquariums and they make the tanks look really nice.



Just do not get the 50/50 bulbs as the light will promote algae growth.

Rose

 

Rose I bought the colormax one and it had a purple ish glow to it, does yours have the same, I found the wal-mart and all-glass aquarium ones didn't. :-\

 

I was just at one of the pet stores and they had one light, I can't remember but it was $15 for one... I can't afford $30 for two lights :-\

Maybe I'll zip up to Wal Mart to see what they've got. I've got a few of those energy efficient twist bulbs lying around... wish I could use those...

 

The one's at wal-mart in the fish section cost 5$ each, reasonbale and have a nice look.

 

Yep, it does have a bit of a pink/purple glow at first but it kind of grows on you. I love mine but for those who cannot take the pink/purple the All Glass bulbs would be a next bet for white light and only a slight increase in the algae. The algae is easily wiped off the inside of the glass if you wipe it down with a water change. I cannot even see the pink in the tanks anymore, I think I must be used to it.

Rose

 

I have no idea why you needed to delete my post when you know full well that aquarium lights are not any more safe than an undercabinet strip light used for the same purpose. If you could be electricuted by a strip light then you could be electricuted by an aquarium light. It doesn't take a great leap in logic to realize this. If you are so paranoid about being electricuted then maybe you shouldn't be using ANY lights above your tank period, because they'd all be exposed to water.

It seems lately there is a trend in overreations from certain members of the forum when the opinions/ideas stated don't agree with what they've been pushing. I hope this board doesn't turn into the other boards where strongarm tactics are used to censor ideas that are completely valid.

 

I have no problem with being disagreed with and you are way out of line. I told you EXACTLY why I did what I did and you can believe me I have no intention of changing my stand on the idea that you cannot recommend the use of something that would potentially be harmful on this board. As I stated we have new members and very young members who do not necessarily understand the difference. You are welcome to do whatever you decide to do with your own equipment but I do have a responsibility to keep harmful suggestions off of the board.

You may post what you like but there are limits to what I feel is appropriate. I have to the best of my knowledge removed 2 posts in the time I have been moderator so it is not something I do lightly.

Rose

 

I have no idea why you needed to delete my post when you know full well that aquarium lights are not any more safe than an undercabinet strip light used for the same purpose. If you could be electricuted by a strip light then you could be electricuted by an aquarium light. It doesn't take a great leap in logic to realize this. If you are so paranoid about being electricuted then maybe you shouldn't be using ANY lights above your tank period, because they'd all be exposed to water.

It seems lately there is a trend in overreations from certain members of the forum when the opinions/ideas stated don't agree with what they've been pushing. I hope this board doesn't turn into the other boards where strongarm tactics are used to censor ideas that are completely valid.

Not being a mod, I could not have deleted your post, Alpha.  But I would have.

Without an Underwriter's Laboratories seal of approval for the product you suggested as being good for use in an aquarium, your claim regarding such safe use is without merit.  As such, I can think of no fewer than three reasons to delete your post, none of which having to do with over-reactions, disagreement, strong-arm tactics, nor censorship. 

Mike

 

I have no idea why you needed to delete my post when you know full well that aquarium lights are not any more safe than an undercabinet strip light used for the same purpose. If you could be electricuted by a strip light then you could be electricuted by an aquarium light. It doesn't take a great leap in logic to realize this. If you are so paranoid about being electricuted then maybe you shouldn't be using ANY lights above your tank period, because they'd all be exposed to water.

It seems lately there is a trend in overreations from certain members of the forum when the opinions/ideas stated don't agree with what they've been pushing. I hope this board doesn't turn into the other boards where strongarm tactics are used to censor ideas that are completely valid.

Not being a mod, I could not have deleted your post, Alpha.  But I would have.

Without an Underwriter's Laboratories seal of approval for the product you suggested as being good for use in an aquarium, your claim regarding such safe use is without merit.  As such, I can think of no fewer than three reasons to delete your post, none of which having to do with over-reactions, disagreement, strong-arm tactics, nor censorship. 

Mike

So if your aquarium light is UL listed it means you can't get electricuted from it?

 

So if your aquarium light is UL listed it means you can't get electricuted from it? 

It's true, there are no guarantees that any given UL-approved electrical device cannot fail at some point and cause property damage, injury, or even death.   But, that is not why your post was deleted, IMO.  And, it's not why I would have removed it.

Mike

 

Maybe drop subject before it's locked, kinda looks bad.

 

I am locking the subject and hopefully things will get better.

Rose