lights on a 20 gallon excel tank

fish94

Junior Poster
Sep 7, 2007
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Tom,
I'm looking setting up a 20 gallon tank, using EI and Excel. Looking at light fixtures. Looking at a 40w PC, or 2x 24w T5s (Haven't seen a 24" fixture for 1 T5 bulb). Too much light for Excel tank? Does it matter if it's 2 bulbs? I read somewhere that if it's 2 24w bulbs, it's not as intense as 1 48w bulb. I'm going to try HC and dwarf hairgrass, and I want to have enough light, but obviously not too much. I know you have said under 2wpg for non CO2 tanks, but I have also read on here that the rules are different with smaller tanks. Please let me know what you think about the above, and feel free to recommend something completely different!
Thanks very much,
Phil

EDIT: I found a T5 fixture for 1x 24w bulb (Hagen Glo) , but it's ~$65, and doesn't come with a bulb. The Current Nova Extreme houses 2 bulbs (and includes them), and I can find it for ~$55. Do you know if there is something wrong with the Nova to make it that much cheaper? Trying to cut costs where possible. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
 

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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2 x24w is plenty for any plant!

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

fish94

Junior Poster
Sep 7, 2007
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Actually, I was more worried that 2x24w would be too much. Would I be better off with 1x24w bulb, though, or would that not be enough for HC and dwarf hairgrass in a 20g tank?
Again, thanks very much,
Phil
 

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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I'd try 1 x 24w bulb personally for lower labor/light tank like this.

I know they are bright, but I've not measure the output with my light meter, only 2x 24W.

I suppose one makes 1/2 the light, but that's too simplistic.
Angle of strike and other things factor in here.

Still, I think it should be fine if the reflector is wider, not a narrow band.

Regards,
Tom Barr