lighting for 20g, advice needed

[ccubsnumberone]

Hello All,


I have a 20g regular established tank, with moderate plants. Currently I believe my tank is getting 17w of light. Which definately not sufficent. After reading many posts, normally you should be getting 3wpg.

I have a Eclipse f15t8 "Ntural Light" flourescent bulb currently.

The tank is 24" long


What is the easiest/quickest way to achieve my 3wpg?


thanks

[Mgamer20o0]

you dont need to be at 3wpg. you could switch out the lighting you have now for a double bulb t8 set up.

another option would be do add the screw in power compact bulbs that you can find at walmart/ home depot.

[ccubsnumberone]

my hood says (on the back) max 17w

what about your Home Depot option again?

this is currently what my hood looks like.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/ccubsnumberone/IMG_1944.jpg

[ccubsnumberone]

I suppose I can buy this setup......will it fit in the place where my existing hood is?

https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11418&prodid=21888&catid=3

[Mgamer20o0]

http://www.mamashealth.com/mamaspicks/images/lightbulb.jpg

[ccubsnumberone]

http://www.mamashealth.com/mamaspicks/images/lightbulb.jpg

what do I screw it in to?

[livingword26]

Here's a Nova Extreme T-5 24" 48 Watt, (probably need co2 with this one)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16770&N=2004+113175

Or here's a Coralife Aqualite T-5 24" thats only 28 watts. (Won't need co2 with this one)

https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CL58120&Category_Code=CLT5

I can't say for sure whether or not they will fit in your Eclipse. The dimensions are listed on the Coralife, but on on the Nova extreme.

[ccubsnumberone]

Here's a Nova Extreme T-5 24" 48 Watt, (probably need co2 with this one)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16770&N=2004+113175

Or here's a Coralife Aqualite T-5 24" thats only 28 watts. (Won't need co2 with this one)

https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CL58120&Category_Code=CLT5

I can't say for sure whether or not they will fit in your Eclipse. The dimensions are listed on the Coralife, but on on the Nova extreme.


I currently have a DIY CO2 in the tank (from PetSmart). So the 28w will work for plants?

[livingword26]

It will work well for low, and some low/medium light plants. What kind of plants do you have?

[ccubsnumberone]

It will work well for low, and some low/medium light plants. What kind of plants do you have?


frill/anachris/wysteria/corkscrew Vals/java ferns

[Mgamer20o0]

what do I screw it in to?

can pick up the sockets from home depot as well.

[ccubsnumberone]

can pick up the sockets from home depot as well.


ok, you showed me a picture of the bulbs, and told me to buy the sockets, but how am I to fasten them to the hood?

[Mgamer20o0]

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123794

[livingword26]

frill/anachris/wysteria/corkscrew Vals/java ferns

The frill is probably a high light plant, but the rest will do fine.

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_search.php?search=frill&type=Search

[gmh]

Since you have a CO2 setup I would go with that Nova Extreme freshwater light. It will fit your tank fine.

[ccubsnumberone]

Since you have a CO2 setup I would go with that Nova Extreme freshwater light. It will fit your tank fine.

It says it is FISH ONLY, that doesnt exclude plants does it?

[gmh]

It would be fine for plants. I don't understand why they use the term "fish only' for some of their fixtures. That unit has plenty of wattage for plant growing.

[ccubsnumberone]

Since you have a CO2 setup I would go with that Nova Extreme freshwater light. It will fit your tank fine.

well I just ordered it. Hopefully I will get before weeks end and try it out.


thanks for the advice

[livingword26]

well I just ordered it. Hopefully I will get before weeks end and try it out.


thanks for the advice

It will work great. Keep up on your water changes and keep your co2 running consistant. Check your nitrates, If they fall to 0, then you will need to add some.

[dspittard]

http://www.ahsupply.com (http://www.ahsupply.com/)

Good retro-fit kits and worth the price, IMO. I just got a 36w kit for my 20L and built a light box and have been EXTREMELY satisfied so far.

[fishie111]

Another vote for the ahsupply kits. They sell 36 and 55 watt kits, but the best deal IMHO is to go with a 55w kit so you have the option of using either a 36 or 55 watt bulb in it.

I installed the retrofit kit into my existing light strip (which looks like yours) in about an hour. If you do this, make sure to install the optional vents (they are included in the kit). I'm very happy with it!

[ccubsnumberone]

Well here are a few new pic of my tank. The Nova Extreme freshwater light seems to be wokring flawlessly.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/ccubsnumberone/Photo0034.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/ccubsnumberone/Photo0027.jpg