Lighting suggestions

[lizzyuru]

The lights that came on my tank hood are terrible. I mean awful. They produce dim, yellow, light. I want live plants so would the lights at the pet store that advertise Aquatic plant life bulbs work if they are the right wattage for my fixture? (and I do low light plants) Also, I really like the look of the LED's. But I have only seen them on Saltwater. Would they work on a freshwater? And what about the moonlights? Could those be used on a freshwater tank with a noctunal Pleco in it? Or would that stress out the Pleco? I really enjoy watching my Pleco at night cruise around the tank so the moon lights would help me see him bettter but I dont know if they are good to use for him.

[Cliff]

Salt water LEDs are a very bad idea for a FW tank. They will typically have lighting between 10,000K and 18,000K which will likely only help algae grown in your tank

I would first try replacing the bulb in your current fixture with one that is between 6500 and 6700K. That would most likely be good enough for low light plants, but I'm not 100% sure based on the info you have provided

It would help to know more about the current light fixture & bulb as well as what size of tank you have

[lizzyuru]

yea, I figured the LED's werent good. I am probably leaving the lights in there right now for awhile. I dont even know what kind of bulbs they are. I just know they are incandescant and not flouresant. The tank is only 10 gallons (but as you know the Pleco isnt staying in there but for a couple more months) And the lights have to be 2 bulbs that screw in, not the kind of lights with pins. I read the rule of thumb is 1-2 watts per gallon for fish only tanks, and 2-5 watts per gallon for planted tanks. I would rather use the Compact flouresants just because they produce less heat and use less energy.

[Cermet]

Get CFL bulbs! They fit standard sockets, are very low cost, come in types for plants and if you want, other ranges to match fish. They also come in many wattage ranges so you can have low, mod, or high intenisty plant options! Just be sure the light hood is vented and you are good to go and will save a ton of money! thumbs2:

[Cliff]

+1 to the above

I have used CFL bulbs in the last 10 gallon tank that I had and my plants grew like crazy in there. You can find a 6700K CFL bulb in most hardware stores like Home Depot.

[dbosman]

I have a DIY twenty four LED light on my planted 70g tank. I'm happy with it.

For most small tanks, incandescent strip lights using 23 watt, Sylvania, daylight, "now smaller than ever" spiral compact bulbs work well.
The lighting in a 12" deep tank will be moderate.