14w NO flourescent vs 10w CF?

NotGumbel

NotGumbel

The Dude
Nov 5, 2004
216
0
0
Elkins, WV USA
If I were to use an incandescent hood with a 10w CF screw-in bulb, instead of a 14w NO flourescent ... would there be any advantage for plant growth and stability?

(It's either 14 or 15w currently, sorry that I can't remember)

Replanting the betta tank (5.5g) this week, and considering small change in lighting if it would work better. Only going to be keeping java fern and java moss, at the moment (perhaps a couple strands of anacharis) ... but would eventually like something to make a grassy foreground carpet.

Thanks in advance!
 
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One advantage to the CF is it is a cooler running bulb and is more energy efficient, but then, Betta's like a little heat. The plants you are using are low light type, so 10W would be plenty for the 5.5G. Also, in this size tank the 10W might be sufficient for the grassy foreground carpet, because the light will not have to penetrate much to get to the plants in a smaller tank.

In a smaller tank and depending on the specific plant you choose, such as micro-sword grass which requires moderate light, that plant will do better than Riccia, which requires high light. Your lighting at 10W will produce 1.8W of light per gallon in the 5.5 gallon tank. Cryptocoryne's will do well also. The benefit of a lower light tank is that the plants will grow slower and won't get out of control so easily.
 
Or you could make a carpet out of java moss. I'm doing this at the moment in my 5 gallon hex with a 10 watt CF. I just tie the moss with thread to a slab of slate and let it grow. I already have it growing this way in my 10 gallon and it gives a nice effect. Kind of looks like a shag rug type foreground. You could also use needlepoint grids if you don't have slate available.
 
Actually ended up going with 18w Coralife PC; found one locally and decided to give it a try.
 
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