Halogen light for small plant growing tank?

**lobsternoob** · 01-13-2009, 12:31 AM

I want to set up one of my small tanks that are sitting around as a tank for just growing plants/clippings, possibly even a few shrimp later on down the line.

I just happen to have a spare 120v 50 watt halogen desk lamp and im wondering if it might do the trick (I'm all for saving a few bucks if it works). My tank options are a 2 gallon, or a 5 gallon. Now im wondering how the wattage compares on a halogen to CFL for growing plants. Would this be overkill? is the spectrum on most halogens usable for plants? or would i need to find some sort of special bulb? I know they produce a lot of heat, but since it's a desk lamp, and it has a flexible neck and i could position it a good distance above the tank. A foot or more over the top of the tank might it still produce enough heat to cause problems?

I also don't want to build an algae farm, not really my thing, so if the wattage is comparable to a CFL, 25 WPG on a 2 gal or 10 WPG on a 5 gal seems a bit excessive. I imagine a lot of that wattage will not actually be effectively making it to the plants with the light so high above the tank, but like i said i do not want an algae farm.

I guess i could do trial and error, and i wouldnt feel too bad about that, since my only possible loss would be a few clippings from my plants, no fish involved... But any advice or experiences shared about halogen lighting would be appreciated.

**lobsternoob** · 01-14-2009, 05:02 AM

If nothing else, could someone please let me know how they think halogen stacks up to compact flourescents?

**Fishguy2727** · 01-14-2009, 12:55 PM

The color with halogens is much lower than ideal, and they are very hot. The ideal color temp for plants is about 6500K, a little more is fine too. Halogens are around 3000K. This not only looks bad but is also not good for photosynthesis. It is worth a shot though. Worst case you have to get a new fixture.

Compact fluorescents are becoming the older option, most people are looking to T5 and T5HO when they need a light upgrade. You get the light with less heat, better color options, and cheaper and easier to use bulbs.