Bulbs Any Good for 2.5g: Aqueon 10W 50/50 Daylight/Blue Light & Aqueon Colormax

[matiller]

I was wondering which of the two out of these bulbs would be best for a 2.5g Minibow:

10W 50/50 Daylight/Blue Light Mini CFL (10,000K)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11248156&lmdn=LIghting+&+Hoods

or

10W Colormax Mini CFL
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11740166&lmdn=LIghting+&+Hoods

I'm currently using the latter, but I'm not sure if these bulbs are the best I can do with a 15W Max hood for optimal plant growth. Any opinions or information?

 

[FrenchFry]

The top one is designed more for corals, and the bottom is for freshwater plants. If the colormax bulb is giving off an annoying pink hue, you can try to find a white full spectrum bulb (6,500-10,000K).


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[matiller]

I was thinking about taking out the electrical housing for the hood and replacing it for one that will at least allow 20-25 watts and see how that will do. My water is fairly cool, in the the low to mid 70's I'd have to say so I'm not sure how much of a problem the heating from a stronger bulb would be.

I returned the Colormax and got the 50/50 today to try that out. It didn't seem to do too much in the way of helping my HC out (to be expected), but my java ferns, moss, and hydrocotyle seem to be hanging in there quite nicely.

Thanks for the feedback!