The fish master 123456

This may sound crazy but i was wondering since i dont have a high wattage for my 20 gallon tank. I thought, if i could buy a desk lamp and put a light for a fish tank in it (one that you can buy from a pet shop) and use that as some extra wattage for my fish tank. would my plants grow better and would the whole crazy idea really work out in the end.

stefjane

I don't see why not, though I've never heard of desk lamps that can take tubes for a fish tank...
Steph

yallyall1

I can't see a problem with it either, In fact i have a similar light for my 7.5G. But to be honest, high wattage (say 3 WPG) needs CO2. What is your current WPG? What plants do you have?

Say, for example, you had 1.5 WPG and you had low-light plants (java fern, crypts, cabomba, anacharis, Java moss etc.) things would be OK. But if you had the same 1.5WPG with swords, tiger lotus and parrot feathers, you would need the extra light and CO2.

Which brings me to another issue, are you using ferts? If you are, what brand, what type? If not, I recommend Flourish (comprehensive) by seachem. Is is a liquid fert, and you could top it off with (maybe?) some root tabs (which I have not use before, just so you know!).

The fish master 123456

the plants i have right now are java fern and some hornwort.

yallyall1

sorry, I've never had hornwort... But java fern is a great low-light plant!

again, what is your lighting? also, Ferts?

if not ferts, try that before putting more wattage in the tank. Many standard bulbs are more than sufficient for java fern if you have ferts...

The fish master 123456

o i ment to say java moss, sorry. i have 15 watts on my 20 gallon high tank and i do not have any ferts

yallyall1

Both the moss and the fern (just saying ) will be fine with that lighting with ferts. not sure without ferts though. The hornwort (from what I've read) should do well too!

The fish master 123456

thx