[Flint]

I am looking for new bulbs for my 10 gallon tank so I can transfer some plants into it. It currently has two stock incandescents that came with the kit and I am looking for cheap bulbs to replace them with. The hood warns not to use anything over 15 watts for risk of fire. I came across the Lights Of America 10 Watt Mini Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb that, based on my research, will fit my hood.

My question is, however, will two 6500k bulbs be too much light for my tank? I won't mind algae too much once I get to stocking (planning on nerites and otos being included in stock) but will there be too much for them to keep up with? As it stands right now, there will only be java fern and crypt wendtii in the tank for a bit. I use Seachem Flourish as ferts if that is important.

Thank you!
Flint

 

[Flint]

ETA - My Wal-Mart doesn't carry that brand but it carries the same thing, 6500k, 10w and I will need two.

 

[Austin]

I had this same setup for a bit. It grew duckweed amazingly! I think that will be quite a bit of light. I think you'll get a lot of algae probably. Maybe not if you use CO2 or something.

 

[Flint]

I can deal with the algae until I get my nerites and otos. They should be able to keep up with it, right?

 

[Austin]

Not sure. I tend to get hair algae when I do. Nerites take care of diatoms and altars that don't really grow high if you know what I mean. The long stringy stuff they ignore. I feel like ottos take care of similar things, but I've never had them. I think Amanos would help, SAE are too big but they are amazing.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Flint]

After popping the first bulb in, I certainly don't even care that my tank is going to be soon overrun by algae! It's so pretty and white! Old bulb on the left, new on the right for comparison -

 

[jentralala]

I have 2 13 watt 6500k cfls over my ten gallon, and I've never seen a bit of algae and I over fertilize like crazy. Then again I've never seen algae in any of my tanks <.< I think I might just be really lucky.

Mine are in clip on desk lamps.

 

[Flint]

I just moved all of the plants over from my 2.5 gallon. They aren't all where I want them, but I've been cleaning tanks and moving back and forth for two hours now, I'm pooped!

The 2.5 (killed a tetra in the process, boo!)

The 10 -

 

[Austin]

It looks so nice!! *.*

 

[Flint]

It'll look better when my java fern starts getting better. I had the driftwood in the 2.5 (It barely fit) and the java fern was all lined up behind it with the crypts on both sides. The way the tank was by the window, the java fern was getting almost no light and it's looking pretty sad but there are about 25 plantlets growing off the leaves. If I chop all of the leaves off the rhizomes, then throw the rhizomes out and float all of the leaves, will I just end up with a heap of java fern? The plants themselves are as good as dead and I want to avoid buying more if possible. Also, will my crypts stay nice and compact like they are? I love how dense they have grown.