trying to save money on a new light fixture

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dereks

AC Members
Mar 7, 2006
453
10
18
Hey I have some plants in my aquarium that require low-medium light, can't remember what they're called. Something like hygrophilia or something like that. My fixture that had 2 18 watt T-5's in it finally died.

Anyway, I'm trying to avoid spending the money on a new light fixture by putting a 20 watt 6700k T-8 bulb in the fixture that came with the tank. If you were trying to make this work, how long would you leave the lights on each day?
 

mroth_3

shrimp boat captain
Dec 24, 2008
270
0
0
Iowa
Need tank size/dimensions. Your proposed setup is a significant demotion from what you previously had...
 

mroth_3

shrimp boat captain
Dec 24, 2008
270
0
0
Iowa
Personally I think a 20 watt T8 will be a little on the low side. I cant comment on the photoperiod.
 

dereks

AC Members
Mar 7, 2006
453
10
18
I understand by the books, it's not enough light. I'm sayiing if you were to try, would it help to increase the photoperiod from 8 hours to maybe 10-12?
 

James0816

AC Members
Feb 14, 2007
3,413
3
38
I don't believe that by increasing the photo period that you are making up for the "lack" of light. All you essentially doing is going to invite Mr. Algae over to your tank to come and play.

With that said, I like using a photo period of 10hrs in all my tanks from low to high light.
 
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