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Light Bulb question for planted 10g

Discussion in 'Aquatic Plants & Planted Tanks' started by alpinefish, Jul 22, 2009.

  1. alpinefish

    alpinefish Thread Starter New Member

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    Would this light bulb work for the plants in my 10 gal. aquarium?
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.petco.com/Shop/AlternateImages.aspx?FamilyID=100305&sku=492868&ImageID=492868" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.petco.com/Shop/AlternateImag ... eID=492868</a>

    They fit the hood I already have. OR--is there something else that I could use?
     
    alpinefish, Jul 22, 2009
    #1
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    It doesn't list it's kelvin rating so I'm not sure. The link shows the blue bulb selected, if that's the specific one you're referring to the answer would be no.
     
    Anthony, Jul 22, 2009
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  3. alpinefish

    alpinefish Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    none of them list the kelvin rating. The ones that do require purchasing a new hood.
     
    alpinefish, Jul 22, 2009
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  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    It should list it on the package I would think.
     
    Anthony, Jul 22, 2009
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  5. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    Tons of places sell their bulbs with the Kelvin rating on it. You want something around 6500K up to 10,000K... that is an acceptable range for Freshwater Plants.

    Any higher and the plants cant photosynthesize it and lower Algae love to grow...


    ---Edit----

    Yes as Anthony said it is on the package... 95% of the time it is...
     
    LemonDiscus, Jul 22, 2009
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  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    use a spiral compact fluorescent from wal-mart (6700k) and screw it in.
    Incandescents run HOT and are more expensive to run electricity wise...also will heat your water and typically make the fish look un natural.

    I've seen many people take compacts and place them in incandescent hoods without any issue.

    Heck, foster and smith and other places even carry spirals for tanks (of course at a higher price). See>> <a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8068+9870&pcatid=9870" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=9870</a>
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 22, 2009
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  7. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    I was going to suggest the compact bulb but wasn't sure it would fit in that type of hood.
     
    Anthony, Jul 22, 2009
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  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.smarter.com/aquarium-lighting/coralife-mini-compact-fluorescent-50-50-bulb/pd--ch-44--pi-184112.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.smarter.com/aquarium-lightin ... 84112.html</a> reviews (some state using in incandescent fixture).
    actually shows it being used <a class="postlink" href="http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/PowerCompact.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com ... mpact.html</a>
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 22, 2009
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  9. alpinefish

    alpinefish Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    You mean the ones from the household lightbulb department?
     
    alpinefish, Jul 22, 2009
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  10. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    Yep
     
    Anthony, Jul 22, 2009
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  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    yep, just make sure it doesn't say room softening.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 22, 2009
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  12. alpinefish

    alpinefish Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    I found some today that said "natural daylight" and had a rating of 6500K
     
    alpinefish, Jul 23, 2009
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  13. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    Thats them!
     
    LemonDiscus, Jul 23, 2009
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  14. Stellaluna

    Stellaluna New Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    I use these myself and they are great, and much easier to find than they used to be. Now you will often see a K rating on bulbs.

    The only problem is that it is likely you won't be able to fit the plastic splash guard over the fixture with the spiral fluoro bulb, but it depends on the size of the bulb.
     
    Stellaluna, Jul 23, 2009
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  15. alpinefish

    alpinefish Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Would this work?

    These fit. They really make the stripes on my tetras pop.

    Thanks, everyone for the advice.
     
    alpinefish, Jul 23, 2009
    #15