how many watts?

[wuvmybetta]

Hi everybody
I have a fairly new tank , 29 gallons with a 20 watt bulb, it's loaded with plants (aprox.27-28)
I just bought a new light bulb for it that was nearly $20, it's a power-glo by Hagen and it was the highest wattage I could find and when I got home, it was the same wattage I had, but it has more of a blue hue to it. Is that enough light?, most of the plants in there require medium to high lighting so should I upgrade?
I just saw 65+ bulbs for sale on Ebay so at least now I know I can purchase one somewhere, but will that be too much lighting for the fish to handle?
Thanks~

 

[StiX]

The wattage on flouresent tubes is worked out by the size, so the longer the tube, the more wattage, all 24" tubes will be either 18 or 20w tubes. The 65w one u saw is probably a really long tube OR it is a compact flouresent which have a MUCH higher wattage in a smaller size.

If ur putting both 20w tubes on the tank, this will still be slightly low, 3 x 20w would be better

 

[Great Lakes]

If you don't pale at the price, a 65w power compact would be perfect.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Ugh at the price, I know ....but if it will help my plants it may just be worth the investment. The aquarium is totally a new world to me and after I found out you can put live plants in there....WOOOHOOO, because gardening & plants are my favorite.
As far as having both 20 watters going, I don't know how I could do that, I just replaced the bulb that came with the tank with the one I purchased , would I have to rig up some sort of contraption to make two lights fit on there? I'm pretty handy but I'm not good at coming up with ideas as far as that stuff goes so any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated
And if thats impossible I think I'll just go for that 65 watts (take the easy way out )
Thanks you guys!

 

[StiX]

The 65w would be by far easyer....and probably cheaper to, as u would need to rig up 3 x 20w bulbs for that tank!

 

[Great Lakes]

Do you have a wooden hood over you tank, or just a plactic type top?

 

[wuvmybetta]

It's just a plain old plastic top, I see no way at all to rig up another light unless I remove the flip top part and get a light on legs to hover over it and I don't know how attractive that would be , I think I'm better off buying the bulb, now I'm scouring the net for a great deal but I don't think I'll be able to beat that dude on ebays price
But about too bright for the fish.....ya think it will be? Or will they just find shade under my flourishing plants?

 

[Great Lakes]

If you want the most perfect kick butt lighting set up, here is everything you need. Hood, and power compact.

You don't have to get them from Ebay. I just use them as an easily searched, have everything database..

If you or someone you know is handy, there is a DIY alternative. See me in the DIY forum if interested..

 

[wuvmybetta]

Hey.... I was in Petco today and I almost bought a fifty watter flo bulb they had but......the guy told me I needed a new fixture thingy too! Which was an additional 50 bucks! Is that true? It made sense because they do have different ends but sheeesh....I've poured money into this tank and now I'm getting REALLY cheap. I will most certainly check out the DIY forum,thanks!