Which CFL for 5gal incandescent hood?

[sixstringphil]

I picked up a 5 gallon kit at Walmart tonight (tank, filter, hood/light) The hood says "Use only tubular lamp rated 25w max." (it came with a 15w bulb) I would like to get as much light as possible, but don't want to boil water. What kind and wattage of CF bulb could I use in place of the incandescent?

Would the regular spiral CFLs work, or...

Do I need the tubular kind like this:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10448675


I believe it is the 5 gallon version of this hood:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10311306

Thanks!

[vampie]

If it's rated for 25w, I'd use up to 25w.

Either shape bulb works, it's the same thing, just in different shapes.

[DeeDeeK]

I have a different model 5gal. hood and I had to remove the splash guard to fit it in, but I put in a spiral 14w, 5500K daylight balance CF bulb. The filter doesn't splash and I have no airstone or other air pumped in so I don't need the splash guard.

A 14w CF is equivalent to 60w incandescent. a 10w may fit better behind a splash guard, and is the equivalent of 40w incandescent. 14w is really bright in 5gal.

[sixstringphil]

I went with the 15 watt GE Daylight 6500K spiral CFL. It BARELY fit, so I don't think I could use a larger wattage bulb without modifying the hood. MUCH brighter than before!!

[DeeDeeK]

Right on!

I had an Odyssea Cube 5 (five gallon bowfront) with a 25w incandescent hood that I replaced with a 14w 5500K balance spiral CF and I loved it!

Now put some plants in it, dose with Flourish Excel, and watch 'em grow like mad!