Utility Lamp + Bucket?

Hankj

I have a 29 gallon tank with only a 20W bulb on it. The plants are mostly low light. They are not thriving but there there is also no supplemented CO2 and a small fish load. I figure I should get a stronger light, but its on a long list of future purchases.

In the mean time, I would like to get my Java Moss booming. I would like it for breeding tanks. It's looking healthy but growing slow in the tank. Could I just throw that moss in a 5 gallon tank or a shallow 5 gallon bucket with a sponge filter and a utility lamp, with a 60W bulb, that one might use for their reptile or garage?

MoneyMitch

co2 is as important to a plant as light is, without co2 a plant cannot take up more nutrients or grow, there has to be a balance of everything and co2 seems to be what runs out first in the day.

1077

With no CO2 enhancement (ie) Excel,DIY,injected,and low fish load,or fertz application,more light will only bring lot's of algae.
Dual T8 fixture for 29 gal I use...has two 17 watt T8 bulb's.Grow's plant's just fine.
Can't remember where I got it online."Can't remember @!%*" hardly anymore.

Hankj

I am using some micro fertz. I'm going to try a DIY CO2 but will plants grow with a utility light?

jentralala

Depends on the kelvin rating.

Hankj

Alright that makes sense. As someone suggested to me in another thread, the pig tail CFL ObamaBulbs rated 6.5 K would be acceptable?

MoneyMitch

plants will grow reguardless of kelven rating under a light if its got a good wattage to it. the plant just absorb 6.7k the best.

Nemo the Clownfish

I'm using a 10w (40w incandescent equivalency) Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) on a 10 gallon tank. Lower light level but the Java Moss does very well. The bulb screws into an incandescent socket.

redchigh

Sure, 60 watts over a bucket will work, but just dont use too much water... Do an emmersed setup. Id just do a daylight cfl
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MoneyMitch

+1 ana lol@ whoever called them obamabulbs