Lighting question - Need Help!

[dbeckwit]

Which light should I go with?
Odyssea 20" 72W (4x 18W) T5 HO Light Fixture Extendable Series
($49.90 with free shipping)
Odyssea T5 High Output Lighting

Odyssea 24" 48W T5 HO Light Fixture Extendable Series (FW/ Planted)
($39.90 + $8.99 shipping)
Odyssea T5 High Output Lighting

I've got a 20 Gal. with 1/2 sand, 1/2 gravel. Amazon swords, java ferns, and a couple other plants that I cannot remember at the moment.

For fish, i've got 4 neon tetras, 3 zebra danios, dalmation molly, 2 lyretail mollies, 1 gold twin-bar platy, 4 ghost shrimp, 1 mystery snail.

TIA

 

[meegosh]

I would stay away from the 72W unless you plan on adding CO2 and getting into dosing ferts. You would probably be ok if you planted the tank a little more and went with the 48W one.

 

[dbeckwit]

Thanks for the input. Would this one end up not being enough watts then?

Odyssea 20" 36W Power Compact Light Fixture Extendable Series
Odyssea Power Compact Lighting

 

[meegosh]

That fixture would work and give you a little less than 2wpg. The only thing I see is that it comes with a 50/50 bulb and would be pretty useless as far as a planted tank is concerned. You want a bulb that is around 6700k for the best results.

 

[dbeckwit]

awesome. Going with the 48W T5. Thanks!