Light bulb question

**Stump26** · 07-05-2012, 01:07 AM

I bought a 20 gallon kit from Walmart I don't know what size bulbs came with it but tonight I bought some 40 watt bulbs to put in it. The tank looks really good but my question is can my hood handle this bigger bulb plz give advice soon I don't want to burn up my fish or my house and family

CatB · 07-05-2012, 01:42 AM

look on the box, the wattage of the bulbs should be there. if you want to be safe, don't put any higher wattage bulbs into the hood than were already there. if you don't mind living dangerously, put whatever you want in but MONITOR CLOSELY or like you said, you could end up with a fire.
40 watt equivalent CFL is better to put in than 40 watt incandescent, i'm not sure what you got, but CFLs are on the whole much more energy-efficient and don't get nearly as hot as incandescent bulbs.

**Stump26** · 07-05-2012, 01:54 AM

Well thanks for the advice but the tank has been going a while now and I just started with plants I thought I was helping my cause but I guess plants are not as important as my home

PlantedRich · 07-05-2012, 02:33 AM

If it like the setups I'm thinking about the fire danger is not going to be that great but damage to the cover may be a big issue. I have seen several covers which have been melted some from the heat of too large bulbs. I think the whole thing might melt and fall into the tank before catching fire! I find I can squeeze 11W CFL bulbs in and get better light with less heat.

**Stump26** · 07-05-2012, 03:48 PM

Thanks for advice I took the 40 watt bulb out and whent back with the stock for now I can't afford any of those high dollar fixtures yet so I thought maybe just change the bulbs idk I'll figure something out

dbosman@msu.edu · 07-05-2012, 09:43 PM

If this is the standard, inexpensive, incandescent hood or strip light, the best bulb is the Sylvania, 23 watt, daylight, "Now smaller than ever", spiral compact bulb.

One for a 5.5g tank.
Two for a 10g to 20g tank.
The "now smaller than ever" is why they fit incandescent hoods and strips.

**Stump26** · 07-06-2012, 01:38 AM

Well i bought a coarlife mini fluorescent for my tank. The guy at my lfs said it was best thing for me to do it says it's 10 watts is equal 50 so I hope they work

07-05-2012, 01:07 AM	#1
Stump26 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Picayune ms Posts: 138	Light bulb question I bought a 20 gallon kit from Walmart I don't know what size bulbs came with it but tonight I bought some 40 watt bulbs to put in it. The tank looks really good but my question is can my hood handle this bigger bulb plz give advice soon I don't want to burn up my fish or my house and family

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07-05-2012, 01:42 AM	#2
CatB Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,013	look on the box, the wattage of the bulbs should be there. if you want to be safe, don't put any higher wattage bulbs into the hood than were already there. if you don't mind living dangerously, put whatever you want in but MONITOR CLOSELY or like you said, you could end up with a fire. 40 watt equivalent CFL is better to put in than 40 watt incandescent, i'm not sure what you got, but CFLs are on the whole much more energy-efficient and don't get nearly as hot as incandescent bulbs.

07-05-2012, 01:54 AM	#3
Stump26 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Picayune ms Posts: 138	Well thanks for the advice but the tank has been going a while now and I just started with plants I thought I was helping my cause but I guess plants are not as important as my home

07-05-2012, 02:33 AM	#4
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	If it like the setups I'm thinking about the fire danger is not going to be that great but damage to the cover may be a big issue. I have seen several covers which have been melted some from the heat of too large bulbs. I think the whole thing might melt and fall into the tank before catching fire! I find I can squeeze 11W CFL bulbs in and get better light with less heat.

07-05-2012, 03:48 PM	#5
Stump26 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Picayune ms Posts: 138	Thanks for advice I took the 40 watt bulb out and whent back with the stock for now I can't afford any of those high dollar fixtures yet so I thought maybe just change the bulbs idk I'll figure something out

07-05-2012, 09:43 PM	#6
dbosman@msu.edu Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Lansing, MI, USA Posts: 2,710	If this is the standard, inexpensive, incandescent hood or strip light, the best bulb is the Sylvania, 23 watt, daylight, "Now smaller than ever", spiral compact bulb. One for a 5.5g tank. Two for a 10g to 20g tank. The "now smaller than ever" is why they fit incandescent hoods and strips.

07-06-2012, 01:38 AM	#7
Stump26 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Picayune ms Posts: 138	Well i bought a coarlife mini fluorescent for my tank. The guy at my lfs said it was best thing for me to do it says it's 10 watts is equal 50 so I hope they work