which 20g ??

[Icom]

I'm looking at picking up a 20g for plants (medium light or so ) and shrimp,
what's everyone's thought on which one ,20g high or 20g long ? and why ?

[barnsaw]

I'd say go with the long, that way more light penetrates the the water column. Also gives you a bigger footprint to aquascape.

[galen]

i agree with barnsaw. the 20 gallon long is a very nice tank. the height is only 12" though, so it is good for smallish plants, not for the big amazon swords and such. the 20 gallon high is 16" high- that 4 inches makes a big differrence.

[irishspy]

I'd go with the long, too. More surface area for gas exchange, and the light penetrates to the bottom more easily.

[Icom]

thats the one I thinking too..the extra 6" of bottom would give me a little more room for plants,driftwood or something

Then I'll need to find some 30" lights to get something around 2-2.5 watts a gallon..maybe just DIY compact flourecents :confused:

[Mgamer20o0]

20 long more area for plants.

[Fishy_Fun]

20 long would be best unless you want to grow really tall plants

[Danyal]

you can use a 24" light, you just will have low light conditions on the sides. you could also get a 30" pc light or go to bigals and get a 30" t5HO setup that will light the tank quite nicely.

[Icom]

you can use a 24" light, you just will have low light conditions on the sides. you could also get a 30" pc light or go to bigals and get a 30" t5HO setup that will light the tank quite nicely.


I was just looking at 30" fixtures..not sure if I want this one: almost 2 1/2 watts gallon

http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18360/si2949168/cl1/current_usa_nova_extreme_30_2x24w_t5_10000k__fresh water?&path=c3684-def-USD-16695%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq63757272656e74%7E%7Ec3684-def-USD-18356%23%23d%23%232y%7E%7Enc3684-def-USD-18360%23%230%23%23c&query=current&offset=

or this one with the moonlight: over 3 watts a gallon

http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18369/si1381728/cl1/current_usa_satellite_30_65_watt_power_compact_fix turesingle_strip_wlunar_light?&path=c3684-def-USD-16695%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq63757272656e74%7E%7Ec3684-def-USD-18356%23%23d%23%232y%7E%7Enc3684-def-USD-18369%23%230%23%23n&query=current&offset=

[mosquito]

I just set up a 20 Long and it's great for plants (agree with others who said depth and surface area would be superior to 20 Tall for plants). I bought a Glo 2x 24 watt set up and love it (I may add single 24 watt strip to boost the wattage). I like the open top idea so that I can have some emergent vegetation and floating plants won't be crammed under a hood. Good luck!

http://www.petsr4u.com/proddetail.asp?prod=A3900

[jpappy789]

20 long for planting and wont limit stocking like a 20 high will.