Lighting Opinions Please!

[evster]

I have a 20G tank (tall version I believe...its 17" tall) with this 36W light on top of it right now: http://hellolights.com/241xcoraqpch.html
I switched out the 50/50 bulb in there for one that will grow freshwater plants better.

I've had it set up for a number of months now. Technically I have 1.8 WPG, but I've noticed that my plant growth in there is not as good as my 10G tank that has only 1.5WPG. I believe this is because my 10G isn't as tall, so the intensity of the bulb is higher when it penetrates to the bottom of the tank.

I was thinking about replacing the 36W light strip with this 65W one: http://hellolights.com/241xcoraqpch1.html
However, my concern is that the 65W strip might be too intense for my 20G and require additional CO2 (which I'm not ready to get into just yet). What do you guys think?

 

[bkw1982]

are u dosin anything now? like excel or other basic ferts? when u get tht high with light ur goin to need CO2 in some form. hav u thought bout diy system? excel is another option u have for co2. and wht type of plants do u have?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

if your not ready for co2 stick with what you have.

 

[evster]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have not tried excel or any other fertilizers for that matter. I've read about the excel flourish stuff. Would you recommend that?

The main plants I have are java fern and anarachis (and anubias in my 10G).

Eventually I plan on trying out a DIY CO2 system, but I'd like to so how much I can accomplish without it first.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

one idea is to take pics every week to track the growth. it might not seem like much watching it grow day by day but once you can look back it should show.