Would this light grow plants in a 20 gallon long aquarium?

[Tropical]

So I keep going back and fourth between live plants and fake plants. I think my biggest problem is lighting. I have a regular hood with a florescent light, I think it's 17 watts. I don't have enough money to buy a new whole big system, I'd like to spend less than $30 on lighting. Can I just replace the light with a stronger one instead of getting a whole new big system?

Would this light be good enough for moderate light plants?

Light:
30" (HO T5) 6,700k 31W- Coralife

My hood:
Aqueon Deluxe Full Fluorescent Black Aquarium Hoods - Aquarium Hood and Fish Tank Light from PETCO.com

 

[rich311k]

You cant just replace bulbs. You have to have a fixture that will run the bulb.

 

[jetajockey]

You'll need a t5ho fixture in order to use a t5ho light bulb. Your fixture appears to be a t8

 

[Tropical]

Ok thanks. I'm a little clueless about all of the electrical stuff.

 

[Tropical]

You'll need a t5ho fixture in order to use a t5ho light bulb. Your fixture appears to be a t8

So could I get a T8 bulb for the fixture?

 

[jetajockey]

Yes, but you won't get more light intensity out of it. You may get a better spectrum for plant growth, if it doesn't have a daylight spectrum bulb in it already, but that's about it.

Wattage on fluorescent fixtures is based on bulb lengths/fixture types, so you can't just grab like a 50w bulb and stick it in there, like you could with a screw in light fixture.

 

[Tropical]

Ok. In the description it says it is a 17 watt full spectrum lamp, so could it grow lowlight plants?