4x18w good or bad for a 29 gal

[browning1359]

Is the oddessy 20" 4x18w t5 ho light fixture good for a 29 gallon

 

[mfdrookie516]

good? that's to be determined. I've heard a lot of bad stuff about odyssea fixtures. And aren't 18w bulbs only 18" A 29g really needs a 30" fixture with 24" bulbs... though if its something you already have you can make it work.

 

[browning1359]

Well i was thinking on getting since ideas only 50 bucks

 

[mfdrookie516]

a 2x24w 30" T5HO fixture would be better IMO... Sure, they're only $50 for what you're looking at, but I've heard so many bad things about them, I'd be afraid of wasting $50 only to have to spend a little more for a better quality fixture.

 

[browning1359]

Watcha ill look into the other fixture when i get back on monday from west point

 

[BigJim]

30" T5NO bulbs are 18W. They're really a pain to find and they're expensive. A 30" fixture that uses 24" bulbs would be much more user friendly.

As far as good or bad, what are you trying to accomplish with the tank?

 

[browning1359]

Trying to have plants like i want my whole floor covered for shrimp and some plants to grow on my house in there and some other plants

 

[BigJim]

A 4x24W T5HO fixture would work for a high-light tank where you have a good chance of growing a carpet, but you'll need CO2 injection and fertilizers to stave off algae.

 

[browning1359]

Oh man that sounds like a lot of work since i have no idea about using ferts or co2

 

[mfdrookie516]

it aint that hard... i didn't have a clue 2 months ago, now I understand it all pretty well

 

[BigJim]

+1 The buy-in costs are scarier than using the equipment.