lights for plants

[masterfishes]

i have a 10 gal tanks that uses 2 25 watt bulbs and i was planning on making it in to a planted tank....at walmart they have they bulbs made for plant growth...r those good or should i buy a new hood that uses florecent lights

 

[Nospherith]

fluorescent bulbs are better than incandescent bulbs becuase they output more of the wavelengths of light that plants actually use. you can get mini-power compacts, the fluoros that have an incandescent socket and a spiral coil, from hardware stores. It would be best to get something "full spectrum", "daylight", or ~6500K and not "cool white" or something like that.

 

[masterfishes]

oh ok....would u know if they sell these at most lfs......and how much they r

 

[jimbooo]

depends on the length of the tube. i'd guess you would have 18 inch/15 Watt tubes on a 10G. they range from £8-15 a tube depending on manufacturer. the ballast will be about £12-18 for each tube.

i've never been to a LFS that does not sell them (but better call first just in case)

 

[masterfishes]

of course...thanks....i need to go pic up some new filter media anway soon so ill just take a look to see what they have