fluorescent or incandescent?

[BettasRFriends]

I have an Aqua-Tech Hex 5 that i wish to be planted for my female bettas. The instructions says for the lighting 15 watt incandescent or 11 watt fluorescent. Which is better? I plan to have java fern and java moss in it. Also, where is the cheapest place/or online that sells it? Thanks alot!

 

[Aulonochromis]

Fluorescent. Incandescent is useless for plants. B)

 

[Silly me]

you do get a fluorescent ( enerysaver ) that fits into a incandescent socket. I have some that is 18W at 6400K it grows most plant even the more hard to keep ones. In a normal 10G tank I could fit three of these without much trouble or making holes.

 

[BettasRFriends]

I've searched around this forum and i've seen these "####k' What's that all about?

 

[Salt Freak]

Fluorescent for plants

 

[guppygirl]

K value is called Kelvin value. It's basically color tempature. It's hard to explain, you might research on the internet for real scientific info. Otherwise, for plants you want between 5000K to 6700K. You can use 10000K bulbs, they are more blue, but the plants grow better with the previous. It might look better, but your plants might not like it.
HTH!
Robin

 

[Yenko]

Where did you find 18W flourescents that fit in incadescent sockets? I have a 10 gallon tank set up using two 13w florescent lights and the plants are doing ok; the Java Moss and Fern are outstripping the hygrophilia for growth, which means my lighting probably isn't the best.

 

[BettasRFriends]

I have no idea which socket mine is. What types of socket are there?