15 Gallon (24") Compact Fluorescent Lighting

[maronov]

Seems that every compact fluorescent fixture for a 24" long tank is 55W or, more commonly, 65W (like this one (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9871&N=2004+113345)). For a 15G, this would be > 4wpg, which for me is overkill. Tube fixtures are around 17W which would be barely 1WPG, so this doesn't work either. I have moderate light plants...what am I supposed to do?

[bigwater]

I had 55 watt over a 20 long it worked well.

[maronov]

55W over a 20 is under 3WPG which is quite different from the same over 15 which would be close to 4WPG. Were you injecting CO2?