20g high lighting

[HanshaSuro]

I'm trying to decide what the best way is to increase the lighting in my 20g high tank. Right now it only has a single 15W 6700k tube in the hood.

For those who own planted 20g high tanks, what is your lighting setup and about how much did it cost?

 

[revfred]

Can pass on some information that was given me when starting a 20 gal long. I had thought of using a double flourescent which would have given me 40 watts. I intended on having the tank well-planted and it was recommended that I have at least 60Watts if I wanted the plants to flourish.

I've seen a 55Watt compact unit from All-Glass strip light that can run from $74-$89 depending where you buy it. I got a great deal on an Oceanic compact but it still ran me about a $100.

I guess you could build your own for a lot cheaper, but I'm not very good with electrical, so I bit the bullet and sprang for the real set-up.

I'm guessing with a 20 high you are going to need quite a bit more light.

 

[1979camaro]

depth of the tank has a lot to do with it...im not sure how tall a 20 high is but the lighting will be quite diminished by the time it reaches the bottom...i have had this problem in the past in my 29 gal which is roughly 19 inches high, unfortunately i don't have a very good way of figuring out how much lighting you really need, but i have around 110 running on my 29 and that is adequate, though i wish i had a bit more because the plants do not look as good at the bottom as they do at the top...i plan to increase my lighting in the no so distant future

Kevin

 

[revfred]

FYI -- 20 Gal High is 16"

 

[HanshaSuro]

So you think I will want at least 40 watts?

 

[fishboy]

I just bought a 55 watt pc and stuck it on top and then later added another double strip flourescent tube to makes 85 watts. The plants are doing great, even the glosso! But with this high of lighting you do need co2.

 

[revfred]

I would think that 40Watt is absolute minimum, but from what fishboy says . . . and I would agree, the more light the better. And yes, I would say CO2 is a good addition. Depending on how large is your tank, Hagen makes a nifty little item that you can buy on-line for about $19.99, and for about 10 bucks you can have "refills" for the next six months. Only one unit is required for a 20 gal. tank