Lighting System For 20 Gallon Tank

DIAMONDSIMON said:

Hello All,
I have recently been given a 20 gallon tank dimensions are 12"D x 15"H x 24"L.

Community Fish are:

1x Dalmatian Molly
2x Golden Molly
1 Dwarf Gourami
3 Cherry eye barbs
3 corries
7 Neons

Also 9 real plants, Bog wood. Good quality substrate.(plants are growing).

I would appriecate some advice on upgrading my lighting for this set-up. I'm finding it very hard to find a hood/lighting system to fit. Present hood has one 15-watt Allglass Aquarium florescent lamp in it made in Germany. It's 18" in length.
I would like either more light from my existing hood system or a new hood that would accommodate my present Aqueon pump but give me more K and maybe some kind of spectral light which will help the fish and grow the plants. I've read that I need a 10000K light to help plant growth and support fish. Is this true for my size tank? I'd be most grateful for any advise.

Regards
DS.

Click to expand...

jonnyf84 said:

DIAMONDSIMON said:

Hello All,
I have recently been given a 20 gallon tank dimensions are 12"D x 15"H x 24"L.

Community Fish are:

1x Dalmatian Molly
2x Golden Molly
1 Dwarf Gourami
3 Cherry eye barbs
3 corries
7 Neons

Also 9 real plants, Bog wood. Good quality substrate.(plants are growing).

I would appriecate some advice on upgrading my lighting for this set-up. I'm finding it very hard to find a hood/lighting system to fit. Present hood has one 15-watt Allglass Aquarium florescent lamp in it made in Germany. It's 18" in length.
I would like either more light from my existing hood system or a new hood that would accommodate my present Aqueon pump but give me more K and maybe some kind of spectral light which will help the fish and grow the plants. I've read that I need a 10000K light to help plant growth and support fish. Is this true for my size tank? I'd be most grateful for any advise.

Regards
DS.

Click to expand...

The Kelvin rating shouldn't be fussed over too much, try a luminaire instead of a hood, hagen GLO T5HO or the older arcadia t5's are a good place to start and shouldn't cost more than 60 or 70 quid if you shop around, remember with higher light you will need to add nutrients and preferably co2 so your plant growth will out compete algae growth in the new, higher light conditions. Aim for between 2 and 3.5 watts per gallon, this will allow you to grow most plants, go for t5 which gives lower foreground plants a better chance. Try posting in the planted section, your more likely to get replies. Oh and also the plant at the back with the limey green broad leaves in non-aquatic, Dracaena Sp. i think, it will have a limited life under water, 3 months or so.

Click to expand...