Aquarium Lighting

[TBar87]

I was curious as to the different bulbs to use for my aquarium, What would be the best to use, wattage and color, for my tank set up.

Fish:

10 neon tetras
4 platy
2 guppy
5 cory cat
4 serpae tetras

Plants:

1 Amazon Sword
2 Java Ferns

Also have bogwood in tank.

This is a 29 Gal tank, i believe the measurement are 30x12x18.......pretty sure but not positive.

Any suggestions are welcome.

thanks,

todd

 

[Jen]

The wattage of the bulb is only limited by the size of bulb your hood can hold. With the number of plants that you have, you really only need one bulb. So, you probably either have a 24 or a 21 inch bulb. As for the colour of the bulb, since you have plants in there, you need a bulbs that emits light betwnn 6000 and 6700° kelvin. This is considered 'white' light, and it's best for the plants.

 

[TBar87]

Currently i have the bulb that came with the kit that i bought, I know it is 17w but i have no idea what the kelvin rating is. should i go ahead and purchase a new bulb for it so that i know for sure what i have in there? or is there a way to find out the kelvin by looking at the bulb?

thanks,

todd

 

[Jen]

If you look on the bulb, it might tell you. Some do, some dont. It would just say ####K. Normally, it is near where the wattage is.