What bulb to choose

[KentCurtis]

Hey everyone. I am wanting to do alot more planting in my 20g tank right now but am unsure what kinda of light I should be getting . I want a medium powered flourescent, just dont know the numbers on them. Also, at what point should adding co2 to the water be considered? I have heard about it, just not sure when it becomes necesarry. Thanks everybody.

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

Stick with ~40w of T5 or slightly less w/o CO2, the 48w Nova fixture would prob be OK also

 

[neilanh]

Any lighting between 5000K and 10000K color temperature will work for plants. Is your 20 gallon a long or a high tank?

If you get up above about 40 watts, you'll need to start thinking about CO2 supplementation.

 

[KentCurtis]

its a 20 gallon high

 

[mgamer20o0]

do you want to add co2? heck i have a 20 gal tank with 2 cfl bulbs over it and growing a lot of plants.

 

[KentCurtis]

I may consider adding co2 in the near future

 

[JustOneMore20]

I have 65w over my 20 long and no co2. I have some algae, but I've learned that some algae is unavoidable. I have alot of stem plants to help take in nutrients. The 30" T5-HO fixture would probably be ok without co2. Keep your lighting period to about 8 hours.