Lighting issue

[blankenship]

I have a 10 gallon vertical tank. The canopy has a built in flourencent lamp with an 8W bulb. Does anyone know if it is possibly to replce the 8W bulb with a higher wattage bulb so I can have live plants. Or do I have to get a new lamp?

Thanks!!

 

[cgrabe]

That depends on what the ballast supports. There should be some sort of label somewhere on the fixture telling you which bulbs you can use. You will most likely have to replace the whole fixture.

There are plants that will live in lower lighting levels (like java fern and java moss), but I don't have any personal experience with them.

 

[blankenship]

Could I somehow retro fit this http://www.ahsupply.com/twox.htm?

Is it just a matter of finding a place on my canopy to mount the lights? Or do I have to get a whole new canopy? I'm trying to make this as cheap as possible.

 

[cgrabe]

I've never used anything like that. When you say you have a 10-gallon tall tank, do you mean it's something other than the standard rectangular form?

 

[blankenship]

Its rectangular, but it stands tall...so its 22" high by 13" wide.

 

[cgrabe]

The measurements listed for the small reflector are 8"L x 3"W x 1.5"H. Will that fit in your hood?

 

[blankenship]

Measurement wise, it will fit...but where do I attach the ballasts? What are ballasts anyways?