can i use the same hood?

[longhorn13]

i've got the basic 10g and hood with incandescent lights. i want to try a planted tank, so i'm guessing i'm going to need fluorescent(?) lights. can i just get different bulbs, or do i have to get a whole new hood setup? thanks for any help! i want to learn on this tank, so when i get a bigger one i can do my best to make it a jungle (i want that "have to really look for the fish" look)

 

[longhorn13]

anyone?

 

[endparenthesis]

I don't think the lights that come with a 10g hood are going to be strong enough for the results you want. Plus I've heard people have less luck with incandescents, but I don't have any experience with them.

 

[Silly me]

It might be a long answer if incandescent is to be used.

but getting new fluorescent light setup into your hood it might be easier

I have tried every cheap light there is to try and replace propper fluorescent tubes.. but you'll need a lot of info on the plant you what to keep to know if they will survive..

 

[Pescado Guy]

I would get two of the all glass compact fluorescent bulbs with screw sockets. They are around $8 each and can plug into the incandescent fixture. That way you won't need to buy a new fixture. The All-Glass Mini Power Compact Fluorescent Lamp- 10 Watt is on sale right now from BigAlsonline.com for only $6!! two of those would be equivalent to 40 watts of fluorescent light for your ten gallon tank. That's four watts per gallon. You could have nearly any plant with those.

 

[buggyboutbettas]

just get a new hood.

 

[longhorn13]

thanks pescado, i was hoping there were some fluorescent bulbs i could fit into my existing hood, now if i can just find those bulbs local b/f i have to go to the website

 

[sinistral]

This might be a strange answer, but I've been using a regular desk lamp with a 40watt bulb on my 10 gallon and my plants are exploding. I got a few stray panes of glass for a cover. All is well so far!