I'm planning on planting both of my tanks with live plant and wanted suggestions on lighting. The tanks are a 20G High currently just has the stock all glass aquarium light says 15w bulb its 18" But hood says its 24" measure 22 1/2" inside. Other tank is a 44pentagon w/ 1 AGA 20"Hood 18" bulb seems to be same bulb as the 20G tank hood has just a general AGA 15w bulb. But i also bought another light for this tank its an eclipse natural daylight F15T8 bulb. Both hoods say they are 19w max. Just wondering what my lighting options are and what you think i need to do. Im planning on java ferns and anubias in the 20g and not to sure what in the 44 prolly a larger mix with amazon sword, anacharis, maybe wisteria. I've seen many people swap out the ballast and such in the hoods and mount CFL's in sockets these seem to be a cheap easy idea when needing more light in smaller tanks. Just trying to keep the same hoods and spend as little as possible. If maybe just getting new bulbs for these hoods is the better idea i might do that. Just wanting opinions and suggestions on what to use.
Opinions/Suggestions on lighting
- Thread starter justshoe
- Start date
Your lighting options are:
Go low light/low tech in the 20g, use a Daylight (6500k) bulb.
With what you have, that's about your only option.
The other tank will require a larger/higher wattage fixture. Being that it's a pentagon, I'm guessing it's tall. With the fixture you have (maximum of 19w), not much usable light will make it to the plants.
The inexpensive route is have the 20g be a planted tank. If you want to plant the 44g, it'll require an investment in lighthing.
Go low light/low tech in the 20g, use a Daylight (6500k) bulb.
With what you have, that's about your only option.
The other tank will require a larger/higher wattage fixture. Being that it's a pentagon, I'm guessing it's tall. With the fixture you have (maximum of 19w), not much usable light will make it to the plants.
The inexpensive route is have the 20g be a planted tank. If you want to plant the 44g, it'll require an investment in lighthing.
Any thoughts on switching the hood out to using CFL's? Something like this http://www.cichlidforum.com/phpBB/v...ight=cfl&sid=082539d644e611825da61912eb8328af
Welcome to AC.
agree with jmhart. i would retrofit the hood in the 20 gal. 2-3 bulbs for it.
44 gal i would look at getting a 55w retro fit bright light from ahsupply. still will have low light plants.
agree with jmhart. i would retrofit the hood in the 20 gal. 2-3 bulbs for it.
44 gal i would look at getting a 55w retro fit bright light from ahsupply. still will have low light plants.