lighting for a 10g tank

[johnnylaw1984]

I am looking into buying a 10g setup (the kind from walmart). It has 2 incandecent bulbs. If i took those two bulbs out and replaced them with mini compact florecent bulbs ( like this one). (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9870&N=2004+113346). Can i grow low to medium light plants?

[Nate77]

I bought one of the same kits just for the purpose of trying plants did nothing special left it stock and plants are doing great.

[terrypowerz]

As long as there is enough room for the ballast (the fat section) of those bulbs, and there should be... I would have to think they would be much better than regular incandescents.
Much less red which has been mentioned to promote algea growth...along with higher lumens and a better balanced spectrum (more blue).
I would say you would have a good chance of having success with low to medium light plants!
;)

[ewurm]

I was thinking about this also, I have an Incandescent hood, I am going to look into it.

[WyldFya]

If you have room for the twist florescents yes, however they need to be the 6500K bulbs, the common ones are not to great for plants. I believe they sell them as a natural white bulb. Depending on the wattage, these bulbs may be able to do medium, or even high wattage plants.

[dan the moose]

hows it going, i have the 10g kit from walmart, it was my starter kit, and ive since planted it with incandesence bulbs, and was fine with almost any low-medium plant i put in, even jungle val did well if it was not covered by something. i have decided to up the wattage, and go with heavey plants, so i bought a 25 watt 50/50 bulb from work (big als aquarium service) tried to put it in, guess what, didnt fit, the ballast was too big.

SO, i decided to rip out the rubber part that prevents water from going into the fixture, and it fit perfectly, all i did was put a peice ov pvc pipe (half a peice) over the socket part with some tape to prevent water from going in. the tank is working great, and i only have one builb in there for now (i actually blew the other side before i replaced the bulbs) i even know some one who has done this and kept coral.