noob lighting question..

[phanizzle]

so i want a low lighted planted aquarium. i have a 20watt aqua glo light. i was wondering how you guys get higher watts in your tank. i dont really have the money to buy a better hood. is it possible to get a light that is higher than 20wats? its a 20gal long btw. sorry for the really noob question.

p.s. would my 20wat be good for low light plants? what do you recommend on getting? so far i have java moss. i wanted java ferns but not sure what other plants can suit the lighting. and i wont be running co2

 

[fishorama]

I have a 20 long w/20watts 6500k. It's got java fern "Windelov" & a couple small swords that are doing well. Crypts & anubias growth is quite slow & wisteria, bacopa & rotala indica barely growing. I gets some indirect morning sun too.

I use Sera-A iron root tab pieces for the swords & once in a while a liquid fert (Kent something) & rarely a macro fertilizer tabs. I use a pool filter sand substrate that is only about an inch deep so I know that's part of the problem especially with keeping stem plants planted.

Of course it's no Amano-style tank but for the amount of time & $$ invested, I'm pretty happy.