Lighting Question

[brandi17201]

I have a 20 gallon aquarium and it is a single tube floresent fixture. I am wondering what watt lightbulb I would need for my tank to grow plants.

 

[Tomchong22]

Its not watts you want it's the color temp. You want a bulb that is 6500k or 10000k. Plants tend to grow best under a 6500k light. Any lfs will have them. Just make sure you get the right length and type(t5,t8,t12)

 

[brandi17201]

Ok thank you for your advice

 

[brandi17201]

I have a t5 bulb that came with the tank but im not to sure about bulbs yet because I am still new to this. Im not sure if I even need to buy a new bulb

 

[brandi17201]

Ok I found a current USA true lumen HO T-5 lamp 18 watt 12,000 day light. Would that be good?

 

[Tomchong22]

Yeah but keep in mind the 12000k will have a blue tint to it. If I were you I would really look for a 6500k anything more and plants will tend not to grow so well. 10000k is about the max I would go

 

[brandi17201]

Ok thank you..ill keep looking...I am having a hard time finding a 18 inch bulb like that