Fish tank lighting + "daylight" bulbs?

Question

Can I use the daylight bulbs that most hardware store sell for my fish tank? I'm planning to buy those spiral compact fluorescent bulbs. Anybody had any experience with them? Will 3 15-watt CFL + one 15-watt fluorescent lamp (long ones) be enough for my planted 15 gallon tank?

Answer 1

That should really be plenty. I have used those lights as well with succes in some of my smaller planted tanks as well as CFL on my larger one. I think you are sufficient to grow some high-light plants in your size of tank with that lighting. If it gets to be too much light and you get too much algae growth, then cut down on the amount of hours that you keep them on in the daytime.

Answer 2

those bulbs dont put dont put out the right UV rays.
And here the other problem you are tanking about puting 60 watts of light over a 15gal tank thats way way way to much your tank will turn green in a week you will not be able to see an inch into the tank.
you would be better off to goto the pet store and buy 1 20watt day light fluorescent bulb it will be bright and put out the right UV you want.
your plan will cost more and cause you a big problem.

Answer 3

I use the compact fluorescents in a 20 tall tank(it's like two 10 gallon tanks,one atop the other),that would be a lot deeper than a15,and my plants do really well.
So, yes, I think what you are proposing will work just fine.

Answer 4

Take it out and take it to the shop with you. Or, take it out and degree it with a tape degree....if no tape degree handy, a dollar invoice is 6 inches long. turn the hood over, and you will see 2 notches the place the two metallic prongs slot in on the two end of the easy. gently rotate the entire bulb till the metallic prong shows on the notches and it may come out. If it hasn't been replaced for awhile, it could experience variety of caught, purely be soft yet turn it firmly. once you placed a clean one in, do it the comparable way.