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I want to have some live plants in my new tank but i do not want to have to spend a lot of money on lighting (i already have on my other tank

This is the fixture that came with the tank:
fixture

The greatest wattage i can find is 15 watts. Does anyone know of any bulbs with a higher wattage that would fit?

The length of the bulb defines the wattage of the light, unless you go with High Output or Very High Output lights. So in short without changing/modifying the fixture, you are stuck with the lighting you have. Maybe if you want you can add a clip on lamp (with a daylight compact flourescent bulb)and keep the front lid open.

However, you can also just have low light plants like anubias species or java fern and java moss. They will grow slow, but will be pretty easy to take care of.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi Hooktor !

I ran into the same problem when I first went planted..
24 inch single striplight holding an 18" bulb..

A 15 watter is all that will fit.. There may be 20 watt bulbs in 18" but I haven't found em yet. (gonna look again in about 5 minutes...)

You may want to check out prices of shop lights, can prob get 2 shoplights holding 4 bulbs, then get the proper plant tubes, for the price of a double strip light in the lfs. That'll be 60 watts for the price of 30.

The Amazon Nut...

Hi Hook,
I have exactly the same problem with my 25g tall. It has only an 18W light.
What I did was whipped down to walmart, and they have these clip on lights that are like 7 bucks. I bought it, brought it home, and took out the bulb that came with it and popped in a 23w spiral flourescent.
It has a big clip on it, so I can clip it on anywhere to the stand or tank.
So I just put it where the plants are, and move it once every 2-3 days.


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Ok, thanks for all your help. I think i am just going to add a lot of low light plants and see how it goes. Thanks everyone for your quick responses.

Hooktor

This reminds me of the fisherman who spends hundreds of dollars on their gear and will only buy cheap hooks/lures.

You have spent a lot of money in getting the tank up and running and plants are not cheap. If you do not provide the correct lighting you could/will loose your plants. The replacements could cost you more than the origional price of a good light fitting and a good light so that your plants will grow healthy.

Keith

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Keith, will double tube shoplights be a reasonable alternative if replacing the stock bulbs a mix of 10,000k and 6700k high noon bulbs ?

The Amazon Nut...