26 watt CF on 4.2 gallon

j_mccord · 06-25-2012, 12:07 AM

I currently have a 26 watt CF daylight bulb in an Ikea fixture above a 4.2 gallon cube tank. Will this be too much light for low light/simple plants? Should I look into setting up CO2?

blt · 06-25-2012, 04:11 AM

Unless you put it way above the tank or add CO2, yes. I have a 13 watt CFL bulb about 16" above the substrate in my 7.5g, and the low light plants do well.

CatB · 06-25-2012, 04:12 AM

yeah i'd look into CO2 or really just get a lower wattage bulb, i mean they're CHEAP, so.
i have a 13 watt on my 5.5 gallon which holds more like 4.5 gallons (it's not filled all the way), and the lighting is really a bit much even with DIY CO2

talontsiawd · 06-25-2012, 08:09 AM

If you check my sig, you can see what two 13 watt bulbs do on a 5 gallon without CO2. I do have a critter cage top and no reflectors which cuts down on the lighting. I rarely have any algae in this tank and have never had any algae "problems". I have had to clean the glass 3-4 times in 2 years but I don't consider that a problem. Your results may differ.

j_mccord · 06-25-2012, 12:14 PM

Thanks guys. It's in an Ikea fixture and that has no reflectors, just a white background. I was reading the PAR vs. Distance sticky at the top of the lighting forum and read the results for 1-2 Power Compact bulbs (and I'm assuming this is very similar to a CF bulb) 4" above a 12" high tank gives low to medium light intensity. Right now my bulb is about 10" above 10" deep tank. So I guess my question now is should I just try it out? And if plant growth/algae gives me any issues, just set up CO2 then? talontsiawd, I looked at your 5 gallon. It looks very good for a simple setup. More along the lines of what I want to do.

06-25-2012, 12:07 AM	#1
j_mccord Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 19	26 watt CF on 4.2 gallon I currently have a 26 watt CF daylight bulb in an Ikea fixture above a 4.2 gallon cube tank. Will this be too much light for low light/simple plants? Should I look into setting up CO2?

06-25-2012, 08:09 AM	#4
talontsiawd Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 2,409	If you check my sig, you can see what two 13 watt bulbs do on a 5 gallon without CO2. I do have a critter cage top and no reflectors which cuts down on the lighting. I rarely have any algae in this tank and have never had any algae "problems". I have had to clean the glass 3-4 times in 2 years but I don't consider that a problem. Your results may differ. __________________ -Matt Eheim Pimp Club # 382 The Fraternity of Dirt #53 13 Stones Journal 6 Gallon Betta Tank

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06-25-2012, 04:11 AM	#2
blt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: WA Posts: 40	Unless you put it way above the tank or add CO2, yes. I have a 13 watt CFL bulb about 16" above the substrate in my 7.5g, and the low light plants do well.

06-25-2012, 04:12 AM	#3
CatB Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,013	yeah i'd look into CO2 or really just get a lower wattage bulb, i mean they're CHEAP, so. i have a 13 watt on my 5.5 gallon which holds more like 4.5 gallons (it's not filled all the way), and the lighting is really a bit much even with DIY CO2

06-25-2012, 12:14 PM	#5
j_mccord Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 19	Thanks guys. It's in an Ikea fixture and that has no reflectors, just a white background. I was reading the PAR vs. Distance sticky at the top of the lighting forum and read the results for 1-2 Power Compact bulbs (and I'm assuming this is very similar to a CF bulb) 4" above a 12" high tank gives low to medium light intensity. Right now my bulb is about 10" above 10" deep tank. So I guess my question now is should I just try it out? And if plant growth/algae gives me any issues, just set up CO2 then? talontsiawd, I looked at your 5 gallon. It looks very good for a simple setup. More along the lines of what I want to do.