AH supply 13 watt kit - a few questions...

[new2tanks]

hi all,

Im about to finally order this kit for my 10g tank but i was wondering if i could just get a couple of questions out of the way first....
Can the 2 * 13 watt kit be installed into any hood or does it have to be a wooden canopy?

and will i have to inject co2 with this much light or will excel be enough?

thanks,
N.

 

[Lauren]

What are you planning on growing? That isn't a lot of light. It would be better to get a more light than that into the tank. The advantage of smaller tanks is the affordablity of really high light. AH makes a 36w kit for the 10 gallon that would probably be better. Whether or not it can be installed in your hood depends on if the ballasts and bulbs will fit it's configuration. You can paint the wood if you don't like it too.

I think that anyone who wants to be really serious about growing platns NEEDs Co2. It isn't an option, but a requirement. Growth is so much better with Co2.

 

[carpguy]

I'm with Lauren: I'd go with the 1x36 kit. Either way your going to be happier with CO2. Flourish Excel can also be a very reasonable alternate source of carbon on such a small tank.

Look at the reflector size: that's the envelope for the lamp. Everything that needs to be over the tank fits inside of the reflector (add a little bit for the endcap, maybe a half an inch); the ballast can be mounted remotely if need be. If you can fit the reflector inside your hood, it'll fit.