JustFishingAround

Just bought a hagen Solar fluorescent canopy which of course came with everything needed including a tube. Thing is it fits nicely on my 30g tank but the tube is only a 20w and i have no clue if i can put a highly watt tube in it or not. I have lowlight plants maybe low-medium at worst and bsically want to know if this 20w tube is enough and if not does anyone know how to find out what the max wattage is i can use in this hood?

Thanks

miker

You shouldn't go for a bulb that is more than 20 W. Main safety reason is that the setup and canopy might not be able to handle high temperatures caused by a higher wattage bulb. You can get an extra strip/canopy or just stay with low light plants with 20 W.

JustFishingAround

Ok good to know, i was hoping i could use a higher watt bulb but until i had enough proof that it was safe, i would have just ran the 20w. So are you sure a 20w bulb with a 30g tank is enough light? The adding another strip/canopy with this canopy i have isn't an option because the hood base it came with takes up every other inch of space not to mention just a basic single bulb strip costs about $60 here and the glass for it to sit on is $45. Pretty crazy prices for something so basic, the nicer ones are $200+ although i am looking into maybe making my own but i haven't been able to find a good DIY source for it.

COBettaCouple

It should be enough, unless you're planning on a planted tank. We have a 30g tall that has a 25w tube. Tank is well lit and the fish are happy.

JustFishingAround

Yea it is going to be a planted tank, low light- low medium light plants at best but mostly low i think, i have java moss in there at the moment.