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I just bought a 5g hex tank (a kit) but I'm not happy with the lighting.
The hood holds a 6w 9" white fluorescent tube, which I believe will not be sufficient for the relatively heavely planted tank I want. I'd prefer a 15w full spectrum tube.
The issue now is that I can't find replacment bulbs that size. Has anyone seen any sold anywhere online? I've been looking for days.

Or, does anyone have any other lighting ideas I could try?

Well first we need a bit more info on what type of fixture it is. A single straight tube, a bent tube(U shape usually), or a screw in spiral bulb. The wattage is determined by the length of the bulb and the first 2 fixtures have set sizes on the bulb length so you cannot increase the wattage on those without getting a new fixture or altering your current one. Now the screw in fluorescents can be changed usually all the way from 5w up to 20-25w depending on the width of your hood since they do not get longer but wider as the wattage increases. They also all screw in to the same size socket. Since you listed the length it sounds more like you have a straight tube fixture which you cannot just get a higher wattage bulb for.

Hi,
That the tank came with a flourscent bulb is good, but
as you say also perhaps restrictive. First read the
bulb and be sure that it is labeled with the word SUN or
DAY light in its name. Since it is a "normal size" you
should be able to locate bulbs that say SUNlight or
DAYlight in their names. Use them as they give off light
in the 6700K area and are great for plants and viewing
fish. Another option is to search the LFS for one of the
Corallite bulbs of the same size. You might consider
shifting up in "K" ratings just a tad to a 8800K or maybe
even as much as a 10,000K rating. I would not go any
higher. Coralite makes a variety of bulbs in standard
sizes. Try them, but only get "SUN" or "DAY" type bulbs.

Frank


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