I need a light for my 10 gallon

I need a 20" light for my 10 gallon thats between 35 and 45/50 watts. I'm not sure what I'm going to be planting yet, but I want enough light to be able to grow anything.

I'd really like a dual 6700k + 9325k thats around 40 watts total, but can't find anything like that.

Here's what I'm thinking of getting. Two of these 15 watt light strips:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3803
That will only be 30 watts. But I can get dual 6700k and 9325k that way. Will 3 watts/gallon be enough?

If 3 watts/gallon isn't enough, there's this with 40 watts:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...wattpowercompactfixturesinglestripwlunarlight
I can get a combo 6700k/10000k light for it. But I hear 10000k washes out reds? And I don't need the lunar light.

Or anybody have a better suggestion for a light strip(s) for a 10 gallon?

And why do they make 20" lights with 96 Watts? Isn't 9.6 watts/gallon to much? Even if it went on a 15 gallon, that's 6.5 w/g.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13734

Mgamer20o0 said:

get a t5 set up. going to give you the best light for the price for the tank. you might also look into screw in power compact bulbs like you can get at walmart or lowes......

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The problem is I haven't seen any 20" T5 setups. I guess I could get the 24" one of these, and let it hang over the edges.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770

As for the screw in compact bulbs, I'm using those in my apt atm. I bought a 20 watt one that barely fits a pretty large light fixture. I doubt it would fit in an aquarium hood made for incandescents. And the ones I have are 5000k, would that work for a planted tank? Or do they make different spectrum ones?

vampie said:

I use two spiral CFLs over my 10g - 13w and 20w, both 6500k. I've been able to grow medium-light plants very well with this setup.

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Does the 20w fit in the light strip? As said above, I'm using one in my apt and it's pretty large.

vampie said:

I personally think two of those on top of a tank would look rather ugly, and might be hard to fit as well.

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I agree there. And after I wrote the original thread, I was looking at my tank and thinking they might not both fit easily.

vampie said:

I can't imagine there being too much a difference between 9325k and 10000k. Don't take my word for it though.

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I haven't seen the difference myself. But from this thread, it says the 10000k's wash the reds out:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127686

vampie said:

I think T-5's would be around the price range of the Satellite, but it doesn't have 9325k either. It'd give you option of using two different bulbs though.

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Yeah. But as stated above, I haven't seen any 20" T5 light strips.

vampie said:

Those are meant for reef tanks, which requires more powerful lighting than a freshwater tank. Keep in mind the WPG rule doesn't apply well to small tanks either.

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But there is a 'freshwater' version, with the same wattage. Just in the 6700k range.

mellowvision said:

I have the current usa model, and swapped the bulb for the dual daylight. it's awesome. looks great, easy to move for getting your hands in, and puts off bright light. I chose it after doing quite a bit of research, and found that it was the best option, in my opinion, for a 10 gallon planted tank. 40 watts is plenty. check my 10g in my sig for some pics.

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Thanks for the confirmation. That's what I'm leaning towards doing. I've done a lot of looking, and there isn't a good variety of 20" light strips.