Lighting for 5g Freshwater

[Doak6021]

I was at lowes yesterday and was looking through the compact fluorescent bulb section. The light for my 5g is a standard screw in socket for an incandescent bulb. I saw a 13W 6500k compact fluorescent that would fit my lighting socket.

5g tank after gravel and decoration ~ 4.5g

13W/4.5g = 2.88wpg

Would I be able to use this bulb for mid light freshwater plants?

[Sasquatch]

Absolutely, as a matter of fact, I have two practically identical bulbs (6700K) on my 5g. Keep in mind that in smaller tanks you actually need more wpg to get the same intensity as for a larger tank. Has to do with the difference in surface to volume ratio ... So even with 2.88 wpg you'll only be able to grow fairly low light plants.

[Doak6021]

So the 23W 6500k bulb they had there would work great for mid-high light plants?

[Sasquatch]

If you're fixture gives you good coverage inside the tank, then yeah, it'll be just fine.

Keep in mind though that more light is not necesarily better. With increased light you'll have to add ferts and supplement CO2 (either directly or with products like Excel), if you don't algae can quickly get out of control.

What plants are you looking to buy? If they don't need super high light there's no reason to jack up the wattage.

[Kula]

What sort of a lighting fixture do you use, and where did you find it? I need to get one for my betta's new home!

[Augus]

Home Depot got this one 27w 6700K for $20

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[GouramiGal]

You can really get nice bargains there sometimes!