question about rated light wattage

[Kramer]

Hello!
I have a perfect-a-lite hood that came with my aquarium. The hood came with a 20W light for my 33 gal tank.

I've decided I want live plants in my tank and so im thinking ill have to increase the wattage to something like 75W?

Anyway, there is a sticker on the back that says not to exceed 20W. But if I were to replace the ballast thing and the light with the higher rated wattage would that be OK? or do i have to go purchase a whole new light hood fixture? 8O

 

[Jchillin]

You can certainly upgrade the ballast. Problem is, you will not find flourescent bulbs with enough wattage at that length. AH-supply has retro fit kits and accessories that you could use to switch over to compact flourescents.

http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

 

[Kramer]

my LFS aquarium services should have the light seen here:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=23787;category_id=2907;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

Its in this category called VHO very high output. Do you think I would be able to use this kind of light?

Im assuming my light tube is 24", when i measure it its more like 23".

 

[piranha]

You can get a 24" high output T-5 flourescent double tube 48 watt fixture. They run cooler than anything and are very efficient. I've got one on order now. You can use it for moderate light requirement plants.