LIght fixture/bulbs/planted tank question

[Ashley87]

So I bought this set from Petsmart the other day: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11459462

It has an incandescent fixture in the hood. Will I be able to put compact fluorescents in this fixture to up my WPG? The plastic that covers the bulbs is a bit tight for normal household bulbs, but I'm hoping some CF bulbs will work. I could get a better lighting fixture/setup, but as it's a 10 gallon I just have a HOB filter so any glass cover would not really work, and I need a cover because I have four curious cats in my house, haha. Anyone have any suggestions? I am about to run out to the store so any tips would be awesome! I can post pictures later to give you a better idea of the fixture. Thanks in advance!

 

[cicrush13]

you should be able to run CFL's up to the recommended size on these fixtures, I might look for some smaller ones just to be safe.

 

[markus789456]

I have cfls in that hood they are the bigger ones and they work, they don't nearly get as hot as the bulbs they provide though

 

[dbosman]

The perfect bulb for incandescent strips or hoods is the Sylvania, 23 watt, daylight, "now smaller than ever" spiral compact. One for a 5.5g and two for 10g & 15g. Two will work reasonably well for a 20h or 20l.

 

[jpappy789]

I always run the "most powerful" daylight CFLs instead of the incandescents.

 

[BE_n_BT]

SYLVANIA 2-Pack 60-Watt Equivalent Daylight Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb 1.5" diameter, 3.75" length
SYLVANIA 2-Pack 100-Watt Equivalent Daylight Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb 2.25 diameter, 4.25" length
Not so certain about the 100 watt equivalent fitting.
GE bulbs are about .25" to .5" thicker With two 60 watt equivalent, you should be able to keep enough light on a fair number of varieties.

 

[Ashley87]

Awesome, thanks for all the replies! I found some good ones that fit and seems to be plenty of light for my plants, yay!