is it ok to use normal light bulb for aquarium? I am currently setting up a 10Gallon shrimp tank and some java moss in it. And I bought a light fixture which holds a maximum of 60 watts light bulb....any idea?....thanks!!
lighting question
- Thread starter nlarry
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patoloco
De seguro no sabes lo que dice aqu
Nort to expereicned, I will just tello you to prefer compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent (regular) light bulbs. The latter get really HOT, and consume almost 8 times as much electricity than fluorescents.
I think Java moss can live under any light , but wait for more advice.
I think Java moss can live under any light , but wait for more advice.
Spend a few extra bucks and use either the screw-in Compact flourescent sold for use in eclipse tanks, or one of the ones that you can now purchase at hardware stores (usually to0 big to fit the hood). Incandescent bulbs will generate too much heat over a 10g, unless you use the lowest wattages, which would create a nice "low light" look if that's what you're going for. A 60watt bulb will poach your fish in a few hours.
lighting!
most likely an incandescent bulb right and not a flourescent. You should be able to make them grow but may grow weak and stringy. You can go as low as 1.5w/gall.(grow light) with low light requirement plants. However there are certain colours that plants need to photosinthisis(not sure on the spelling?), these colours are indicated in kalvins(light spectrum). A planted tank does best with 5,500k to 6,700k bulbs. 10,000k has more of a blue colour which plants don't need, however salt water tanks do use more of the higher kalvin colours(This gives the blue colour to the tanks). The more w/g and colour index the faster the photosinthesis therefore the faster the plants grow. I might suggest that you replace your bulb with one of those new swirley bulbs, they are low heat and more efficientclick here this 13w is equivalent to 60w of a reg bulb but is 3,000k. Now lighting is only part of the equation to grow aquatic plants sucessfull. plants need co2, nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and trace elements. It all depends on how sucessfull you want to grow them and how much algae you want to cultivate in the process. There are alot of people in this site that can give you propper direction if you decide to twist your mind and get into the planted tank.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Terry.
most likely an incandescent bulb right and not a flourescent. You should be able to make them grow but may grow weak and stringy. You can go as low as 1.5w/gall.(grow light) with low light requirement plants. However there are certain colours that plants need to photosinthisis(not sure on the spelling?), these colours are indicated in kalvins(light spectrum). A planted tank does best with 5,500k to 6,700k bulbs. 10,000k has more of a blue colour which plants don't need, however salt water tanks do use more of the higher kalvin colours(This gives the blue colour to the tanks). The more w/g and colour index the faster the photosinthesis therefore the faster the plants grow. I might suggest that you replace your bulb with one of those new swirley bulbs, they are low heat and more efficientclick here this 13w is equivalent to 60w of a reg bulb but is 3,000k. Now lighting is only part of the equation to grow aquatic plants sucessfull. plants need co2, nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and trace elements. It all depends on how sucessfull you want to grow them and how much algae you want to cultivate in the process. There are alot of people in this site that can give you propper direction if you decide to twist your mind and get into the planted tank.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Terry.
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The 1.5 - 2.0 watts/gallon guideline assumes fluorescent lamps, which are about four to five times as efficient at converting electrical power into light power. If you decide to stay with incandescent, you'll need 6-8 W/gal to meet those light requirements.
Is your light fixture specifically for aquaria? It would be unusual to see an aquarium hood with a screw-in socket for as high as 60W incandescent. If it's not an aquarium-specific fixture, you should be able to buy a standard hardware store/discount store household compact fluorescent (CLF) (the "swirley bulb") and screw it right in. Note that the rating on the fixture (60W) is electrical power. A 17W CFL may say on the package, "equivalent to an incandescent 75W" but it's OK to use in your fixture because its electrical draw is only 17W. In fact, if it fits, you can go with one that eis quivalent to a 100W incandescent - I think that's the largest they commonly come in.
Is your light fixture specifically for aquaria? It would be unusual to see an aquarium hood with a screw-in socket for as high as 60W incandescent. If it's not an aquarium-specific fixture, you should be able to buy a standard hardware store/discount store household compact fluorescent (CLF) (the "swirley bulb") and screw it right in. Note that the rating on the fixture (60W) is electrical power. A 17W CFL may say on the package, "equivalent to an incandescent 75W" but it's OK to use in your fixture because its electrical draw is only 17W. In fact, if it fits, you can go with one that eis quivalent to a 100W incandescent - I think that's the largest they commonly come in.
echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
All-Glass and Coralife make nice mini-compact fluorescent bulbs for standard incandescent fixtures that are rated at proper plant-growth kelvin numbers. We're using one over our little betta tank and the water sprite seems spritely.