Cheap lighting diy question for 10g planted

[Crazed Demasoni]

I have a full 10g setup with an ac30 sitting around, and I've been wanting to put together a planted aquarium for a while. I want something that I can ideally put one or two fish (along the lines of a betta or even just a bunch of ghost shrimp and a few dwarf frogs) and have it heavily planted with low upkeep (not much trimming).

I have flame moss and possibly some java moss that I want to start out with, then probably some amazon swords and other taller plants. For lighting, it has a standard hood with a single bulb. I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to that to make it effectively light the tank. I'm a student and already maintaining a demasoni/lab tank. Could I take 1 or 2 of the round metal reptile/utility lamps I have sitting around, pop a strong CFL or two in them, then use that as a ghetto light setup initially? with a 25w cfl it's 2.5w/gal, and the incandescent equiv. is 100w. Suggestions?

 

[cichlidfish]

I have a planted 10g. You really don't need crazy lighting for a 10g, because it is so shallow. I just have a single florecent which is nothing special, and my plants are doing well. I have jave moss, green cabomba, baby tears, hygro, anancharis, and amazon swords(may have to transplant soon, because it is out growing the tank). I have 7 blood fin tetras, and 3 otos.

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

Thanks. I'm trying to decide what I want to do to coat the bottom. How's yours set up? I want some type of mossy floor that doesn't get too big, but will eventually coat the bottom. Are you using soil or gravel? This is probably going to be all plants to start, and possibly a bit of a refuge/quarantine tank for any sick or beat up little cichlids (they're all between 1" - 3" still) and eventually transition over to some community fish.

 

[FSM]

I have a 23W CFL on my 4.5 gallon (same height as a ten), about 8" above the surface and it works well.

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

Same question to you; Plant substrate or gravel?

 

[Kaosu]

haha ...my lighting for my 10 gallon is a full spectrum reading lamp..valflex or something like that..just arched over the tank and the plants go crazy..with a 25wt bulb, i have pics of the lamp over the tank but ill have to get them on the comp and post them so people can laugh at me ^_^
i have anubis (not sure what kind), a few small lilies , forgbit, and water lettuce

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

I want to coat the bottom in Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus Callitrichoides). I'm probably going to end up with a fluorite substrate, normal light hood for now, and see how it does.