[AnthonyW8822]

So - I know absolutely nothing about lighting. Here is what my used 30g came with.

Is it sufficient? What type of bulb should I get?

 

[Charlest]

The more important question is what do you plan to grow? But most likely no its not sufficient looks like a t12 you probably are stuck with low low light plants. Mosses, java ferns, anubias, swords, bacopa to name a few. Your also probably going to grow very impatient waiting for new growth.

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[AnthonyW8822]

The more important question is what do you plan to grow? But most likely no its not sufficient looks like a t12 you probably are stuck with low low light plants. Mosses, java ferns, anubias, swords, bacopa to name a few. Your also probably going to grow very impatient waiting for new growth.

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Can I get a better bulb?

 

[jrill]

How about removing the whole mount for the fluorescent bulb and putting a 24" fugeray planted plus under there. That's what I did on my 20 long.

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[Charlest]

55k is the best bulb you can buy it wouldn't be sufficient still. 6500-7000k is optimal. If your short on funds I would go with low light plants. Its a good place to start anyways.

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[du3ce]

that light would be good for a biotope tank gives out a nice amber color

 

[Fiftymeatballs]

The 20 printed on the bulb means it's 20 watts. The thickness of the tube is a t-8. There are different fluorescent tube sizes. For example t-5, t-8, t-12. That bulb is a standard fluorescent so it's low wattage. There are high output fluorescent fixtures and bulbs which most who have planted tanks on this forum are using. They run double the wattage for the same size bulb but require a ballast and fixture to support it. You couldn't just buy a high output bulb for that fixture it wouldn't be able to power it.

I am not sure what color temperature that bulb is either. It's something you need to take into consideration. Is it more yellow(warm) or blue when you look at it? 20 watts on a 30 gallon gives you .7 watts per gallon. That's very low for plants. You could grow moss and low light plants very slowly. If you want plants I'd invest in a better light honestly.

 

[AnthonyW8822]

The 20 printed on the bulb means it's 20 watts. The thickness of the tube is a t-8. There are different fluorescent tube sizes. For example t-5, t-8, t-12. That bulb is a standard fluorescent so it's low wattage. There are high output fluorescent fixtures and bulbs which most who have planted tanks on this forum are using. They run double the wattage for the same size bulb but require a ballast and fixture to support it. You couldn't just buy a high output bulb for that fixture it wouldn't be able to power it.

I am not sure what color temperature that bulb is either. It's something you need to take into consideration. Is it more yellow(warm) or blue when you look at it? 20 watts on a 30 gallon gives you .7 watts per gallon. That's very low for plants. You could grow moss and low light plants very slowly. If you want plants I'd invest in a better light honestly.

What can I get for around $40?

 

[Charlest]

Look on your local classifieds for a t5ho or I think of a should sell one for 50-300

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[Charlest]

Lfs

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