Lighting options for low tech 20 gallon?

B

bfloyd

AC Members
Jan 6, 2009
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Miami, Fl
Currently, I have the stock 15 watt hood that came as part of a starter kit on my 20 gallon tank. I am looking for the best and cheapest way to increase my lighting to be able to grow and maintain low light plants. I am not looking at using Co2, but would be willing to use liquid fert if needed. Thinking about planting anubias and mosses. Would also like dwarf sag, but I know if it will do okay in low light.

Options I am looking into:

Coralife F/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light -28w.http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...4/cl0/coralifefwt5aqualightdoublestriplight24 $34.99 1.4WPG

All-Glass Fluorescent Twin Tube Strip Light- 24" http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU.../allglassfluorescenttwintubestriplight24black $44.99 2 WPG

Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture - 2 x 24W - T5 - 10,000K - 24 in. http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236414/i/7/product.web $68.99 2.4 WPG

Last opintion would be to retro fit my current hood with ahsupply kit, but I don't know what I need and how difficult it would be???

Let me know what you all think.



 
Okay, so i should stay below 2 wpg if I don't want to use Co2 correct? And would it be possible to grow dwarf sag with 1.4 wpg?

Thanks for the replies.
 
Not sure, I have mine growing very slowly in 2wpg with Co2 and ferts. I have no idea why it's the only plant of mine that's not responding well. The anubias grows quicker...

So I can't really say for sure that it won't work.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I went ahead and ordered the Coralife F/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light from Big Al's online. I should have it by the end of the week. Should I use Seachem excel with 1.4 wpg and anubias?
 
Anubias and moss should do OK without adding ferts but Excell may help their growth a bit. I would be more inclined to add add a liquid fert like Flourish or Kent freshwater first.
 
bfloyd said:
Thanks for the help everyone. I went ahead and ordered the Coralife F/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light from Big Al's online. I should have it by the end of the week. Should I use Seachem excel with 1.4 wpg and anubias?
Click to expand...

That's good choice for low maintenance tank. Dwarf Sag will do ok in that lighting. I have it in an all natural shrimp tank with 28 watt spiral cf's.
I have to trim in and redirect the runners every couple months.
 
Fordtrannyman said:
That's good choice for low maintenance tank. Dwarf Sag will do ok in that lighting. I have it in an all natural shrimp tank with 28 watt spiral cf's.
I have to trim in and redirect the runners every couple months.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear. I will probably go with a couple different varieties of anubias and dwarf sag when I get my light. Also will probably start out dosing with excel and flourish once a week with weekly water change and see what happens. Thanks for all the replies.
 
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