Startup questions

lushlife · 09-22-2008, 02:16 PM

Hey all,

I was thinking of starting up a 20g long planted tank.

If i get the 20g long, and purchase the Coralife 30" T5NOs 2x18w, would 1.8wpg (36w/20g) on a 20g long be enough light to get any plants I want or would I want to look at the 3.5wpg range?

And at what wpg would pressurized CO2 be suggested/needed?

TIA
Dan

Church · 09-22-2008, 03:06 PM

It will NOT be enough light to grow any plants you want. But it will be enough to grow all of the lower-light plants. If you go with 2 of those fixtures (which is what I have over my 20L) I think it's safe to say you can grow just about any plant you want to grow, as long as you also supply CO2.

t0p_sh0tta · 09-22-2008, 03:07 PM

It's such a shallow tank that you won't have much of an issue growing most plants. However, around 2wpg you'll want to start running CO2 / dosing Excel to keep algae in check.

**epicfish** · 09-22-2008, 05:13 PM

I had a problem growing carpet plants and keeping them creeping low to the substrate, even with pressurized CO2. You'll probably want two fixtures.

09-22-2008, 02:16 PM	#1
lushlife Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 82	Startup questions Hey all, I was thinking of starting up a 20g long planted tank. If i get the 20g long, and purchase the Coralife 30" T5NOs 2x18w, would 1.8wpg (36w/20g) on a 20g long be enough light to get any plants I want or would I want to look at the 3.5wpg range? And at what wpg would pressurized CO2 be suggested/needed? TIA Dan __________________ Eheim Pimp Club #492 2213 on 20L 2213 on 29g

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09-22-2008, 03:06 PM	#2
Church Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,370	It will NOT be enough light to grow any plants you want. But it will be enough to grow all of the lower-light plants. If you go with 2 of those fixtures (which is what I have over my 20L) I think it's safe to say you can grow just about any plant you want to grow, as long as you also supply CO2.

09-22-2008, 03:07 PM	#3
t0p_sh0tta Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 668	It's such a shallow tank that you won't have much of an issue growing most plants. However, around 2wpg you'll want to start running CO2 / dosing Excel to keep algae in check.

09-22-2008, 05:13 PM	#4
epicfish Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (266/100%) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,417	I had a problem growing carpet plants and keeping them creeping low to the substrate, even with pressurized CO2. You'll probably want two fixtures.