Good Light for 20L
- Thread starter laxdude
- Start date
This should work. http://www.thatpetplace.com/flora-sun-plant-growth-t8-fluorescent-lamp-5000k-24in?gclid=Cj0KEQiApbunBRDs0fba3dz484cBEiQAMsx-pwmRM-2y7eMAhPC53B1E8_46DzxqUzxJqsiLTKA-yUIaAlVL8P8HAQ&kwid=productads-plaid^98121218684-sku^204534-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^55213038764
or
http://www.thatpetplace.com/tropic-sun-t8-fluorescent-lamp-5500k-17w-24in?gclid=Cj0KEQiApbunBRDs0fba3dz484cBEiQAMsx-p5-cxJbg-AuWb-S-Sb8p8HlgvJ_Vxw9FLc4HLv01RDEaAkWS8P8HAQ&kwid=productads-plaid^98121218684-sku^204422-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^55213038764
Look for something between 5,000K and 10,000K
or
http://www.thatpetplace.com/tropic-sun-t8-fluorescent-lamp-5500k-17w-24in?gclid=Cj0KEQiApbunBRDs0fba3dz484cBEiQAMsx-p5-cxJbg-AuWb-S-Sb8p8HlgvJ_Vxw9FLc4HLv01RDEaAkWS8P8HAQ&kwid=productads-plaid^98121218684-sku^204422-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^55213038764
Look for something between 5,000K and 10,000K
I've got nothing against T8, but why the T8 must have?? A T8 fixture for a 20L is about as low light as you can get. You're talking a ~17watt, 24" tube. This may be fine for Java Fern and Anubia, given the right color/temp range of the tube, but you'll need patience of a Saint. Just as an example, I've got ~20watts worth of ~6500K CFL over my planted 10g. It's literally taken 2yrs for the java fern and anubia to fill-out the tank.
Ah, ok. I was confused by the wording (and it was late).
I agree, if it's a single bulb fixture...that's about the lowest light you can get over a 20 long and still keep a few, almost exclusively, non-stem plants. I don't normally advocate increasing lighting unless absolutely necessary, but you've only got enough to really keep java fern, Anubias, etc. alive. Don't expect a whole lot of growth.
A twin tube or T5NO would at least allow you to keep some more plants without having to increase maintenance all that much. But your choice...sometimes it's best to keep it simple...
I have duck weed, anubias, Amazon sword, three small patches of dwarf hairgrass, honey wort, and water sprite. all of which are absolutely thriving. even the dwarf hairgrass seems to be doing pretty well. given,nothing is more exploding in growth, (other than my swords who are) but it's coming along better than many planted tanks that I've seen. In that tank I've never even experienced melt back. I don't know why, but the plants never seem to care that it's a low-light system.
ps the only reason I wanted a T8 was for convenience. I don't want to get a new fixture and lid for the tank.
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ps the only reason I wanted a T8 was for convenience. I don't want to get a new fixture and lid for the tank.
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Hey if it works, it works...just curious how long has it been set up with plants, though? It may not necessarily be enough in the long term, but not every tank is going to be the same, I suppose.
The tank itself has been around about a year and a half. originally constructed for a cobalt crayfish. when I was away my dad was caring for it and didn't seal the canopy and it got wedged behind my perpendicular 40b. I then got the Idea for a scarlet Badis tank, found out they need a planted tank, and took action. It has been planted about 7 month now, I think.
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