Proper wattage for tank hood light? (5 gallon, betta)?

5 Gallon Fish Tank Hood

The general rule is 7 watts per gallon. However this can vary in the case of very large or relatively small tanks. If the lights are incandescent stay on the lower sizes, to avoid over heating the water.

Hello :)

I have a low tank set-up and use florescent lighting as well. Mine is a cheap regular 14 watt 15"inches florescent fixture by Aqueon I think. In these lights and with fluorite as my substrate I can maintain low light plants and moss.

A 10watt fluorescent bulb is fine for a 5.5 and your fish won't be uncomfortable. Lighting is used to see fish better and to help plants grow. No damage to the fish, however, it helps them to know whether it is day or night so keep them on for about 7 hrs or so.

Low light plants are Javas

Java fern lace

Java fern

Java fern lean narrow

Java moss

Christmas moss (Low to high lighting does best in High lighting and supplements like CO2).

Anubias

Anubias nana

Anubias Gold

Rotalla indica

Bacopa

Some other stem plants

Check out aquabid.com or plantedaquariumcentral.com for low light plants :)

Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? Did you cycle your fishes tank?

If you did not here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOnDyDPDhy0

Do 50% water changes every day to cycle the tank in with him. Takes about 3 weeks if you do daily 50% water changes. Make sure the water is the same temp when adding it or it will shock your fish.

I use Prime as a water conditioner. Seachems Prime. :)

Get APIs testing kits to test your water for ammonia nitrite and nitrate or bring it to your local Pet Store and have them check it for fee. :)

you can leave the light on for a few hours a day instead. betta fish arent in super bright environments in the wild. one thing i do is put a led night light behind the tank and have it back light it. it looks cool and they always have just enough light to do what they want to do.

I have 56 watt of H.O. globes in my aquarium hood ( tall tank) and my fish don't avoid the bright lights, you should be fine.

As long as he doesn't seem to mind it's fine. If he avoids passing under the light when it's on then yeah I'd look into something else.

Military Grade Tactical Flashlight : http://flashlight.uzaev.com/?cIwE

Not, it's fine. It's actually a great wattage. It won't harm your betta.