Lighting for Live plants???

LovinLiveBearer · 12-13-2007, 03:46 PM

I have recently switched to all live plants and no longer have any fake ones (YAY) I have 2-15 watts for my 20 gallon tank so 1.5 watts per gallon. I want my plants to have the best chance at life ( I kill almost all plants- in water or not) and I do not know if I should upgrade my lighting situation to stronger wattage. I have 15 inch lights and I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion of a not too expensive light with stronger wattage. Any advice will help. Thanks!

**Damon** · 12-13-2007, 04:07 PM

T5 lighting would be nice. Cheap, energy efficient and works well for 20 gallons (ASSuming yours is a 20 long and not a 20 high or xtra high).

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...lestriplight30

1 fixture will give you more lumens to allow you to keep lower light plants and some lights that require a little more light. 2 Fixtures would allow you to keep all but the most demanding lights. T5 lights are way more efficient than standard flourescent bulbs so dont worry about the wpg.

LovinLiveBearer · 12-13-2007, 04:29 PM

It is a 20g Tall. Also I have an Eclipse so I am just looking to replace the bulbs not the whole light set up.

**JustOneMore20** · 12-13-2007, 04:43 PM

You won't find a higher wattage bulb for that fixture. It only takes the standard watt bulb that is one length.

If you want more wattage, you'll need to get another fixture.

12-13-2007, 03:46 PM	#1
LovinLiveBearer Mallory Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon Age: 23 Posts: 76 User Feedback: (0)	Lighting for Live plants??? I have recently switched to all live plants and no longer have any fake ones (YAY) I have 2-15 watts for my 20 gallon tank so 1.5 watts per gallon. I want my plants to have the best chance at life ( I kill almost all plants- in water or not) and I do not know if I should upgrade my lighting situation to stronger wattage. I have 15 inch lights and I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion of a not too expensive light with stronger wattage. Any advice will help. Thanks! __________________ * 20 Gallon * * 1 Male & 4 Female Platys * 1 Male & 3 Female Assorted Hi Fin Platys * 1 Male & 1 Female White Platys * 5 Male & 6 Female Assorted Guppy's * 1 Male & 3 Female Balloon Mollies * 8 Otos * Fry - platys and guppy's ----- Upgrading to a 55g ------ * 2 Gallon * * 1 Male Beta - MooShoo

12-13-2007, 04:07 PM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	T5 lighting would be nice. Cheap, energy efficient and works well for 20 gallons (ASSuming yours is a 20 long and not a 20 high or xtra high). http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...lestriplight30 1 fixture will give you more lumens to allow you to keep lower light plants and some lights that require a little more light. 2 Fixtures would allow you to keep all but the most demanding lights. T5 lights are way more efficient than standard flourescent bulbs so dont worry about the wpg. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

12-13-2007, 04:29 PM	#3
LovinLiveBearer Mallory Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon Age: 23 Posts: 76 User Feedback: (0)	It is a 20g Tall. Also I have an Eclipse so I am just looking to replace the bulbs not the whole light set up. __________________ * 20 Gallon * * 1 Male & 4 Female Platys * 1 Male & 3 Female Assorted Hi Fin Platys * 1 Male & 1 Female White Platys * 5 Male & 6 Female Assorted Guppy's * 1 Male & 3 Female Balloon Mollies * 8 Otos * Fry - platys and guppy's ----- Upgrading to a 55g ------ * 2 Gallon * * 1 Male Beta - MooShoo Last edited by LovinLiveBearer; 12-13-2007 at 04:36 PM.

12-13-2007, 04:43 PM	#4
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama, US Age: 22 Posts: 3,366 User Feedback: (2)	You won't find a higher wattage bulb for that fixture. It only takes the standard watt bulb that is one length. If you want more wattage, you'll need to get another fixture. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 10g, 5.5g 10g N. multifasciatus tank, 5.5g Platy fry

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