Lighting, Double up or New Fixture?

bradlgt21

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May 9, 2009
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Chicagoland, Illinois
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Brad
I have a 29 gallon planted tank. I have a 2x18watt coralife fixture. So 36 watts, very low light. Everything I have in it is fine but not really growing. The only thing growing is my Rotala Indica. But my other plants are just kidda sitting, not dying but not growing. I want the other ones to grow, I am using DIY CO2 and dosing ferts so I would like to up the wattage. Should I get a 36 watt fixture and just have 2 fixtures running at the same time or should I try to sell my existing fixture and purchase a 64 watt fixture. There is a 64 watt Satalite fixture for $75 shipped on aquabid I was thinking about. Only problem is I don't know what I can get for my existing fixture. I paid $65 and wish I hadn't at the time, but I bought it with the tank. Any recommendations on exact fixtures?
 
Increasing light is going to mean an increased Co2 and nutrient demand for your plants, otherwise algae will take hold.

If you really want more light, 72w is going to be harder to handle than 64w. A small difference but I personally would get the new fixture.
 
I'm running 65 and 55 watt pc on my 29's with no CO2

no issues and good growth,not fast but all plants are doing well.
 
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