Lighting for a 10 Gallon High Tech Setup
 

Let me first start off by saying that I have never kept a high tech setup, nor have I had a tank this small.

I plan on growing some sort of carpet (Just a carpet with some rock as the harscape and nothing else), just not sure what yet.

I also don't want to go all out for the lighting and spend a ton of coin. I want to keep this simple.

I plan on going the CFL route, and use either the dome fixtures or 1 or 2 desk lamps.

Whatever CFL bulbs I get, they will be 6,500K. Just need some guidance on how many and possibly what wattage. Please do not refer me to the PAR articles, lol, I have already looked at them, and they confuse the hell out of me.

I will also have DIY CO2 for the tank, and I already have my recipe and items to set that up. I also have the mineralized substrate ready to go, and I also have the tank. Just need the plants and lighting figured out. This will purley be a shrimp tank, and maybe a small schooling fish, thats it.

Thanks for all the help in advance!

Are you going to use a lid, or do you already have one of those hoods where the light just sits on top of a glass pane? I do, but I swapped the t8 housing for a twin lamp incandescent model that cost like 12 bucks - and put a pair of CFLs in it. Easiest and cheapest solution for me.

I have a clip on desk lamp with a 6500k CFL for my 5 gallon - two of these would work just fine for a 10, but they are more expensive than the cheap hood mount fixture. I use 2 10w 10k bulbs in the low tech 10 gallon, and 1 18w over the 5. I probably wouldn't go over 18w bulbs, even with co2, or you'll spend more time trimming plants than looking at the tank.

I was thinking the clamp lights as well. No I do not have any hoods for anything. This would be an open top. Those standard light hoods probably would be enough for this tank. I just want to make sure 2 cfl bulbs at 6,500K and 18 watts would be enough. I think they would, but I am just looking for the experienced folks on here to give a little insight. Didn't mean to scare everyone away with the "do not refer me to the par article" comment, lol, that article throws me for a loop, and I just rather hear, yes 2 cfl bulb will do, or no they wont and heres what you should do.

Thank for the looks.

Also can you show me a pic of your light fixture that you are refering to?

Here is exactly what I am talking about, and my idea of what I would like.

Bulbs:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_302257-3-269...7C1&facetInfo=

Fixture:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_10676-56253-...roduct_price|0

or

http://www.lowes.com/pd_203198-1373-...roduct_price|0

or

http://www.lowes.com/pd_203213-1373-...roduct_price|0

Lighting for a 10 Gallon High Tech Setup
 

Bump...need some answers as I would like to get this going soon, thanks in advance!

Lighting for a 10 Gallon High Tech Setup
 

Anyone?

Lighting for a 10 Gallon High Tech Setup
 

Not sure why no one is responding?!

Lighting for a 10 Gallon High Tech Setup
 

Not many people use cfl perhaps. 2 sounds about right for high light ... You could always cut back to one if you need

Bah, damn, sorry I didn't get back to this sooner. Let me see if I can find a pic online...I don't want to wake up the wife.

Here's the exact one I have:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/a...ood-black.html

Well I just went ahead and bought this. If it doesnt work, I will just go out and buy the domes. Figured why not, it's so cheap anyways. I just can't see myself purchasing a $50-$100+ light fixture for a 10 gallon that I am tring to do DIY and cheaply. Thanks for the recommendation. I will let you know if it works!

Any updates?

Lighting for a 10 Gallon High Tech Setup
 

Everything is setup, and running. Planted the hydro sp. japan. Have some floating plants in there for the nitrate spikes. Will not be adding any shrimp jut yet. Also switching between filters at the moment, not sure whether I want an HOB or internal filter. The DIY is running smoothly and coming out nicely from the fluval diffuser (heard some stories about diy co2 not having enough pressure for these diffuser, but everything is working fine or me!). I have the filter lined up to hit the bubbles and disperse them all throughout my tank. I am taking pictures week to see how everything grows. I am also dosing dry ferts as well.