Probly spelt em wrong, but anyways, I have a 10 gallon freshwater, with 5 neons, 2 black skirt tetras, 2 bleeding heart tetras, and a pleco. I have used incandescant lights for the past 4 years, but they seem to raise the temp of the tank nearly 5-9 degrees. I have had to use silk plants because I cant supply enough light without overheating the tank. A lady at petsmart told me I could use florescant as its a brighter light, better for the plants, and emits less heat. Has anyone had experience with this? I would love to know before spending upwards of $30 on plants and lights!
2007-06-12 10:16:32 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
So I bought two 10 watt florescant bulbs, which have the spiral ending like a standard bulb. They illuminated my tank wonderfully, and really brought out colors in my fish. I also bought a bundle of Firn. Thanks for all the help!
2007-06-12 17:55:49 · update #1
a fluorescent tube on a 10 gallon tank should be perfect you need one with a yellow red spectrum for your plants and the penetration should be sufficient, its a little more expensive but it will be a little cooler, and help with both showing off colours blue and red. If you can afford it I'd go for the T5 bulbs rather than the more common T8's but either one should suffice for your tank.
They generally need replacing every 6mth/9mths however because of the size of your tank i would suspect they would last probably 18mths or so.
AJ
2007-06-12 10:54:21 · answer #1 · answered by andyjh_uk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For once, someone at Petsmart knows what they're talking about! She's correct on all accounts. It will also save you money since it costs less to run fluorescent.
If you keep your silk plants you can use the standard lighting, if you want real plants you many want to try compact fluorescent lighting.
2007-06-12 19:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by Carson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fluorescent are a better bulb for heat, look, and plant life. However, for a 10 gallon tank, the standard one strip fluorescent tube that you would probably replace with isn't enough light for plants. Look intro retrofiting your current light/hood set up with a compact fluorescent lighting kit. Check ahsupply.com for more info.
2007-06-12 17:47:42 · answer #3 · answered by steve v 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Florescant. You want 50/50 actinic (?) bulb. You're right the incandesant heats the water, and the fluctuating temperature can cause the fish to stress if it rises and falls daily by that 5 to 9 degrees.
2007-06-12 20:45:48 · answer #4 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the fluorescent you'll tank will also look much better.
2007-06-12 17:20:32 · answer #5 · answered by Chalie M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋