Lighting for 20g planted

[Southpaw]

I assume I should go with t5ho over just t5. I am curious what type of bulbs and how many/fixture etc..Thanks!!

 

[Zimmanski]

I just asked this and got some great answers. Is it a standard 20 gallon or 20g long? Will you be using co2? I hadn't decided on co2 so I went with a dual t5NO by aqueon bought at petsmart and I absolutely love it, t5HO will be too much light for a 20 without co2 injection, but I could be wrong

 

[CorallineAlgae]

I just asked this and got some great answers. Is it a standard 20 gallon or 20g long? Will you be using co2? I hadn't decided on co2 so I went with a dual t5NO by aqueon bought at petsmart and I absolutely love it, t5HO will be too much light for a 20 without co2 injection, but I could be wrong

I totally agree. For a 20 T5NO light is plenty. Even 2 T8s would be great for medium light plants.

 

[Zimmanski]

The aqueon dual t5 is probably your best bet, tons of usable light, you can switch out bulbs for plant growth or daylight/colormax, and if the dual t5no is too much you can always remove one bulb and just run the dual fixture with a single bulb

 

[Southpaw]

Will I be able to grow and ground cover with medium life? Like dwarf hair grass?

It is a stock 20 gallon, that I may implement a DIY co2 system.

 

[Zimmanski]

Will I be able to grow and ground cover with medium life? Like dwarf hair grass?

It is a stock 20 gallon, that I may implement a DIY co2 system.

I'm not sure if you would or not, but I do believe the aqueon dual t5no comes in a 24in which I think is the length of your tank. If you know you're going to implement co2 then I would say invest in a t5HO because you'll get the best results with HO and CO2, which can easily grow ground cover.

 

[aqua_chem]

It's also easier to reduce light than it is to get more light.

 

[Southpaw]

Very true Aqua. Okay great thank you guys, excited to go shopping this weekend!