strayner Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 So, being new to the hobby (and also mis-informed and naive) I've purchased a 29 gallon tank kit. The kit only has a hood suitable for one 20 watt flourescent light fixture for the whole 29 gallons, so basically 0.69 watts per gallon (which I understand now is very low). Until i'm able to buy a power compact strip hood or something else, am I basically screwed for having a planted tank? Even for the low light species? Is there anything I can do to patch the situation until I get suitable lighting? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strayner Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Also, if the hood can only support 20 watt bulbs, does this mean that the bulb has to have 20 watts actual light output or are there lights that would fit (24'') with 20 watts but higher actual light production? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbruun Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I wouldn't say screwed. I would for sure try some of the low light plants and see how they do. They might not go crazy but will grow. I have pretty low light in my 55, I'll have to double check the actual bulbs, and things are doing ok. Slowly coming along. I also add excel to the tanks which I found helps even in the low light tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkangel Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 You should be fine for growing low light plants with the lighting you have. My wife has a 55gal tank in the store/office that only has 2 x 15 watt bulbs=0.54 watts per gal and I have put crypts, anubias, bacopa, staurogyne sp. and echinodorus quadricostatus in the tank about 3 months ago and everything is doing fine and growing. The tank also gets a couple hours of direct sunlight each day. If you want to grow med to high light plants, you will have to upgrade your lighting to at least 3 watts per gal or more and possibly add Co2. Before I got my Co2 I grew pretty much anything in a 72 gal with 3 watts per gal of light and good old fish crap. Now I still have 3 watts per gal of light, pressurised Co2, dry ferts and a pretty healthy fish load. I'm trimming stem plants every 3 to 5 days and the others get a trimming every 4 to 6 weeks. Good luck with your adventure, and keep us posted on the progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strayner Posted January 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 (edited) Thanks guys. Anyone have ideas how i might be able to get some more light without going to big lengths? Also, what are retrofit kits? do they allow you to replace the lighting in your hood? Edited January 14, 2010 by strayner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnytens Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Thanks guys. Anyone have ideas how i might be able to get some more light without going to big lengths?Also, what are retrofit kits? do they allow you to replace the lighting in your hood? you just get a glass top or tops for your aquarium and then put a t5ho or power compact on top and whammo....way more light....or just get the glass tops for your tank and then get some more regular fluorescent fixtures (which are cheap and many ppl have extras from upgrading themselves) and put them on top , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbruun Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 If I were you and didn't want to spend much, I'd just try with the low light plants and see how things go. It's very easy to add lights later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strayner Posted January 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 (edited) Where can I get a glass canopy? Edited January 14, 2010 by strayner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnytens Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Where can I get a glass canopy? Aquagiant sells them for fairly cheap, just make sure you double check your measurements with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbruun Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Aquagiant will cut what they have to fit also. And their T5HO lights are decent and cheap also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strayner Posted January 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Thanks for your help guys. Looks like i'm going to return the kit, get a bare tank and purchase a glass top w/ t5 or power compact strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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