Brightening Up A Tiny Tank?

[Katty]

I have a 10 gallon tank that I'm working on switching to low light plants like anubias and java ferns and the like. Anyways, I currently have a 20 inch "Deluxe full hood" Link. I used to have a 15 watt fluorescent "reef sun" (by zoo med) bulb, which was plenty bright (but a little bit too much and made things look washed out). After moving in anubias and a crypt plant I switched to a "flora sun" (also by zoo med) bulb because I figured with such low wattage I might as well make every watt count for the plants and use the best spectrum.

Problem is, the plant bulb isn't visually very bright despite being the same wattage as the previous super bright "reef sun" bulb. I'm a student so I don't have tons of money to spend on those crazy hundreds of dollars light fixtures. Does anyone have any idea how I can affordably add in a little more bright light? Maybe something that I could clip on or attach in/on/to the hood somewhere? I don't want to be able to see the light from outer space, just have bright enough I can look at it from across the room and not see a dim box.

I've attached a photo of the tank currently. It doesn't look so bad in the photo, but with other lights in the room on it's really hard to see into it. It's also way too pink, the corydoras are pig pink and the betta is a strange neon cherry red. I'm thinking adding a supplementary whiter light would clear this up?

 

[MewMew42]

you could if you wanted get rid of the lid [might have to lower the water level becase of teh betta] and get a clip on the top light, I got mine from ebay, for such a small light its pretty bright!

heres a pic, the water is a little yellow because of the bogwood lol only cost about £8 with shipping, comes from hongkong

Otherwise I dont know what do do =[

 

[Katty]

What kind of bulb can you put in there?

I'm not too sure about taking the whole hood off and using just a clip light though, it looks a little too obtrusive.
I'll wait to see if anyone has any more ideas

 

[scobie140]

Howabout adding a strip or two of L.E.Ds? the brightness can be adjusted.keep your current light and add them, cheap and low watts. Served me well in my old betta tank

 

[Katty]

Howabout adding a strip or two of L.E.Ds? the brightness can be adjusted.keep your current light and add them, cheap and low watts. Served me well in my old betta tank

Where did you get the LEDs? A hardware store? A computer store?

 

[Katty]

I found an affordable LED strip on amazon that looks perfect here but I have no idea how/what I'd wire it to... Scobie, did the LEDs you previously got come with some sort of plug or did you wire them yourself?

 

[scobie140]

I found an affordable LED strip on amazon that looks perfect here but I have no idea how/what I'd wire it to... Scobie, did the LEDs you previously got come with some sort of plug or did you wire them yourself?

They look ok may not be enough for you though, i got mine from ebay and they came wired with and adjustable plug. but you can get them cheaper and the plug for cheap, i'd imagine they'd be easy enough to wire up. if you need a link to the ones let me know as i've used them for my moonlight and white lights

 

[Katty]

I found an affordable LED strip on amazon that looks perfect here but I have no idea how/what I'd wire it to... Scobie, did the LEDs you previously got come with some sort of plug or did you wire them yourself?

They look ok may not be enough for you though, i got mine from ebay and they came wired with and adjustable plug. but you can get them cheaper and the plug for cheap, i'd imagine they'd be easy enough to wire up. if you need a link to the ones let me know as i've used them for my moonlight and white lights

I would love a link if you have the time to find something

 

[scobie140]

No problem just boozing watching csi check back in a few min and i should have one or a few for you

 

[scobie140]

ok found
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-24-LED-White-LED-Aquarium-Strip-Light-Flexible-NEW_W0QQitemZ360250678783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item53e09d1dff#ht_3933wt_939

not 100% if thats the same company but its roughly the same price and the same product you get with them.
had to dim them a bid in my betta tank as 24 was a bit overkill but have 24 blue ones in my community as moonlights and they need dimmed also as too bright so these should be enough to top up your current lighting

 

[Katty]

ok found
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-24-LED-White-LED-Aquarium-Strip-Light-Flexible-NEW_W0QQitemZ360250678783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item53e09d1dff#ht_3933wt_939

not 100% if thats the same company but its roughly the same price and the same product you get with them.
had to dim them a bid in my betta tank as 24 was a bit overkill but have 24 blue ones in my community as moonlights and they need dimmed also as too bright so these should be enough to top up your current lighting

Thanks a bunch!

 

[scobie140]

No problem

 

[OldMan47]

You can get about the same growth out of plants by using a simple 5500K to 6500K lamp in your present fixture. Around here, I can often find a nice "daylight" bulb with that spectrum for less than $10.

 

[Katty]

You can get about the same growth out of plants by using a simple 5500K to 6500K lamp in your present fixture. Around here, I can often find a nice "daylight" bulb with that spectrum for less than $10.

Oh hmm. Well I already ordered a strip of LEDs, but if those don't please me I can try that out. They were really cheap.

 

[OldMan47]

At this time, most of the LEDs being sold are not the right light spectrum for plant growth. They may well be the lamps of the future, but the technology is young and the lamps do not exhibit a good spectrum for plants yet.