ANOTHER lighting thread - 5 gallon

[onebyone]

I have a 5 gal tank that I'm hoping to turn into a planted tank for a single dwarf puffer. I'm looking to heavily plant it so the DP can have an interesting environment, and I want to grow wisteria, hornwort, cabomba, etc that I know need moderate lighting (3ish watts/gallon).

I bought the tank from CL for an excellent price, but am sad to say the hood is only rated for an 8 watt bulb. I want healthy, thriving plants (I'm loving my java fern/anubias in my 10gal with a 20watt bulb). So now I'm looking for a 16" FIXTURE that is rated for at least a 15watt bulb. Where could I find these dimensions? My LFSs are poorly stocked equipment-wise and I'm even having trouble finding any 16" fixtures online.

Even though the glass opening for the light fixture is 16" across, could I buy a 12" hood and use that with a 15 watt bulb? I can't see a problem with this other than perhaps looks... but I'm no expert. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[John N.]

If the 12" hood is rated for a 15 watt bulb, then yes I would think you would be able to put that over your tank.

Another option is to get a desk lamp or clip on light, and place it over your aquarium. I currently have a clip on light over a 3 gallon tank and it works and looks great with the open top.

-John N.

 

[onebyone]

Thanks for the response! I had heard of using clip on lights for tanks. Is there anything in particular I should look for in a clip on light? I've been doing a bit of searching for clip on lights and would I want something like this http://www.amazon.com/Black-Goosene...dp/B0000DI4VB/ref=acc_glance_ktch_ai_-2_5_tit which is rated for a 40 watt bulb... and then just buy a 15 watt fluorescent bulb to go in it? I know about zero about electricity- would it be okay to put a 15 watt light in that particular lamp? Or is there something else I should be looking for?

 

[Bonne46]

I'm on my phone typing/looking at this and when I click on the light link it doesn't give me much description. But if it's rated for a 40watt bulb you can put any watt bulb in it as long as it doesn't exceed over 40watts. Also when you say flourescent tube to replace the bulb with are you talking about the flourescent tube bulbs in stock fixtures? If so that light fixture looks like it takes standard screw in type bulbs.

 

[onebyone]

As far as bulbs go this was the "best" one I found - 15 watt, full spectrum, compact fluorescent bulbs. There are other bulbs that are cheaper that aren't full spectrum but isn't that the best for plants?

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=197648&catid=142097&trx=29904&tab=1#1