Lighting For My 10 Gal

[snowflake311]

I'm going to do a planted 10 gal tank. The hood hold 2x 25 Watt bulbs. I have an energy saving Compact fluorescent in it now. I only have one betta and a clump of java moss in it now.

I was reading that 10 Gal tanks need more light? Something to do with surface area I think. Can some one fill me in on that?

Also could you use the Energy saving Compact fluorescent to grow plants?

I want medium to Bright plants I will be doing DIY Co2.

 

[aaronnorth]

tanks less thn 10gal need more light due to minimum light threshold, here is a good explanation
http/www.rexgrigg.com/mlt.html

any questions just ask,

the trouble with CF is there is a lot of restrike making them innefficient.
If the CO2 & nutrients are non-limting then you can grow any plant, so high light isnt always necassary

 

[mdwheeler]

I bought a Current USA Nova Extreme freshwater edition 24in T5 light for my tank. It's perfect. It has 2 24watt bulbs, 1 10000k and 1 6700k. Thats 4.8 wpg. You can get it for about 60 dollars if you look around minus shipping. Since ten gallons are about 20 inches across it does go over the sides a little bit but it doesn't take away from the beauty of the tank at all.


GEt it. Its awesome.