Getting Enough Wpg

[JasonPlus]

I recently got a free 10 gallon tank and I've been thinking about trying to put live plants into it. The problem is that it came with an old incandecent fixture and the replacement flourecent that I was looking for is like $79 CDN, and with that I would only have 1.4 WPG. I don't think I'd be able to fit another bulb into the hood either. I may look at the incandecent replacement to see it there would be enough room, but I doubt it. Would getting two compact flourecent bulbs be a decent alternative?

 

[zig]

It certainly would if the the fixture for $79 CDN only gives 1.4 WPG, lots of people use ordinary CF bulbs on small tanks with good success, definatly worth a go.

 

[JasonPlus]

I'll do a little more searching on Monday to see if I could fit two flourecent bulbs in any existing hoods. If not, what disadvantages would I have from using mini compacts?

 

[zig]

I'll do a little more searching on Monday to see if I could fit two flourecent bulbs in any existing hoods. If not, what disadvantages would I have from using mini compacts?

I dont understand fully what you mean............obviously the fact that you save a lot of money is the main advantage, ordinary household CF bulbs will be a lot cheaper than a lfs store bought light fixture for a planted tank and will probably do the same job, whichever you end up using make sure you use reflectors on the lights.