lighting help please

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onlikedonkeykong17

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 22, 2008
353
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US
Hi
I have a 29 gallon new planted tank but my lighting kinda sucks.
Here is what i know about the lighting I have at this moment
1 bulb
24"
10,000k
18 watts

Now, im looking to upgrade my lighting but i still need it to fit my hood and be 24 inches.
I dont understand the 10,000k thing, so i need help.
Does anybody know if i go to pet smart or something, can i upgrade the lighting easily? and if so howmuch is it?

THANKS,
brian
 
The 10,000K is the light temp in Kelvin. Depending on what plants you have in there will determine the total wattage you need over the tank. If you going for a low light tank then your 18W bulb will work. If you want higher light plants then you can either buy a new fixture or get a retrofit kit. www.ahsupply.com sells some good ones. No the actinic bulbs are for Salt water tanks, they do nothing almost nothing for plants. Start HERE for some good beginner info.
 
Gator;2619802; said:
The 10,000K is the light temp in Kelvin. Depending on what plants you have in there will determine the total wattage you need over the tank. If you going for a low light tank then your 18W bulb will work. If you want higher light plants then you can either buy a new fixture or get a retrofit kit. www.ahsupply.com sells some good ones. No the actinic bulbs are for Salt water tanks, they do nothing almost nothing for plants. Start HERE for some good beginner info.
Click to expand...

Thank you for helping,
unfortunately.. ahsupply.com doesnt sell 24 inch bulbs :(
i have cambomba which seems to be doing well
but i have another plant with pink tips that im sure what tehy are called that dont look 100%
 
Should have mentioned this but 6700K bulb is your best bet. The AH supply kits are retrofit kits that fit in your existing hood you don't need to have a 24" bulb. You also cant change the wattage bulb in your hood higher than whats in there already. If you want more light get a new hood OR a retro kit from AH supply to go inside the hood you already have.
 
so the wattage has to do with my hood?
 
so ill need a new hood? or is a there a better bulb i can get?
 
onlikedonkeykong17;2619901; said:
so ill need a new hood? or is a there a better bulb i can get?
Click to expand...

That depends on what type of plants you want in the tank. There are generally speaking 3 types of plants. Low light, medium light and high light. With 18W your looking at Low light. You can keep using the same bulb for a low light planted tank.
 
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