What CFL is best?

[nquint1]

I currently have a 5 gallon hex with an incandescent lighting hookup. I screwed in a cfl, but after reading on here I'm wondering if my bulb is full spectrum. I went to Lowe's and looked through their cfl's, but it was impossible to find the Kelvin rating on them. I found one that was made by Bright Effects with a rating of around 2600K. There were 3 different types made by GE. Does anyone use these bulbs and do they know what kind is best?

 

[drgold]

Home depot sells a cf bulb in 6500k. That's the one you want. Anything lower and the plants have difficulty using it. 2600 won't work....sorry!

 

[lucky777ca]

There are some that indicate that they are daylight (eg: Philips Daylight). I say that these types of bulbs have a colour temperature of 6500K.

 

[nquint1]

Thanks for the information. I thought Home Depot would be the better place to go.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

walmart also. look for the ones that say daylight. 6500k

 

[keansin]

Currently I use 2x 18w CFL using Philip cool daylight on my 10g tank with reflector, and its work great. For your 5g tank I think you can try 10w is enought, use only cool daylight bulb which give you 6500k, but warm white is 2700k. Add reflector for better result.

 

[Sammie7]

What plants are you planning on growing? I have 10 watts on my 5 hex, and it does nothing even for my supposed low light plants. They survive, but well... I keep hearing about how 10 watts over a 5 is so great, but it really isn't people. The wattage per gallon rule doesn't apply to small tanks like this. Granted my anubias and java moss are doing okay, but the java fern looks like it wants to shrivel away in some parts, though. The watersprite is doing okay, but the brazilian pennywort is always losing leaves. I went to Home Depot recently and I saw some 15 watt bulbs that were daylight, so they are out there. If they fit the hood? I don't know, since I haven't tried.