2.5 planted

[devder1]

i hav a 2.5 i wanna set up with plants, but the light is pretty soft, can i just buy a strong desk lamp and set it behind it and just move the arm so that the light sits over the tank like the other one does?

 

[Plec123]

unless its a cfl bulb i wouldnt... incandescents are the wrong spectrum for aquarium plants.

 

[devder1]

unless its a cfl bulb i wouldnt... incandescents are the wrong spectrum for aquarium plants.

ok how do i know how to get the right spectrum

 

[I'mHooked]

ok how do i know how to get the right spectrum

Look for "Daylight" bulbs. It should say somewhere on the packaging 5,500K to 6,700K. Plants need light in the spectrum of 5,500K and 10,000K.

 

[devder1]

Look for "Daylight" bulbs. It should say somewhere on the packaging 5,500K to 6,700K. Plants need light in the spectrum of 5,500K and 10,000K.

awesome thank you! should i look for around 15 watts?

 

[I'mHooked]

awesome thank you! should i look for around 15 watts?

A single 15 watt bulb would give you 6 watts per gallon! If you're looking for low maintenance, I would shoot for a bulb between 5-9 watts. And when using compact fluorescent bulbs, don't calculate wattage with the incandescent equivalent. Use the actual wattage of the bulb you're purchasing.

 

[devder1]

A single 15 watt bulb would give you 6 watts per gallon! If you're looking for low maintenance, I would shoot for a bulb between 5-9 watts. And when using compact fluorescent bulbs, don't calculate wattage with the incandescent equivalent. Use the actual wattage of the bulb you're purchasing.

ok i was just under the assumption the more light the better. i have a 40 and i just cant get enough light on it

 

[dudey]

I was at lowes the other day looking for a light for my 2.5g also thinking of doing a mini planted.

My 2.5 is 9 inches long, they have a 10 or 11 inch t-4 or if you want a t-5 light for around 20-25$. Then just buy the bulb with the right kelvins 5000k - 10000k are good for growing plants. I was either going to hang the light over shelving the tank is over or figure a way to stick it on top of the tank

 

[devder1]

I was at lowes the other day looking for a light for my 2.5g also thinking of doing a mini planted.

My 2.5 is 9 inches long, they have a 10 or 11 inch t-4 or if you want a t-5 light for around 20-25$. Then just buy the bulb with the right kelvins 5000k - 10000k are good for growing plants. I was either going to hang the light over shelving the tank is over or figure a way to stick it on top of the tank

yea how to set it on there would be my question. thanks for the heads up tho!

 

[devder1]

went and looked around 2da
found a nice one with an adjustable arm for $30 with a 14 watt bulb and the best part-6500K