help me choose a light!

[aquyenl]

i have a 20 gallon high, and sadly i plan to use the stock hood that came with it (Top Fin from Petsmart). getting an entirely new hood is out of my budget for now. Here are pics of the hood with ballast and lights:

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i plan to do a low light set up and just growing newbie plants like java ferns, anubias, moss, etc. now, i plan to replace that bulb with one that has the right K temperature (5000K to 10000K). theyre all 18" 15 watt T8 bulbs.

which of these do y'all think i should get?

life glo 2 6500k ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

zoo med ultra sun 6500k ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Coralife Nutri Grow 5500K ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

since i'm under 1 wpg, should i does with flourish excel? plant growth is not a priority for me, i would like to just have them stay alive. thanks!!

[Lukenasia]

I personally use Life Glo 2, however this is not due to choice, Hagen just owns the UK aquarium market :hmm3grin2orange:

But as long as you are within the 6500k-8000k range plant grow should be fine, if not rather slow. Maybe it would be best to invest into plants that do well in low light conditions?

[lowlight]

I would make sure that the light fixture is rated for a T-8 lamp before putting one in. Just remove the white cover and there should be a ballast or starter maybe both that will say what they are rated for.

[souly]

I use the life-glo in my tank as one of my lights...works pretty nice and work for t-8's as those are usally what the standard stocks hoods use.

[Lab_Rat]

I'd use the one that costs the least. You can add aluminum foil behind the bulb to act as a reflector and help more light get into the tank.

[souly]

I'm gonna add the foil to my light tomarow :P

[aquyenl]

yes the stock hood is T8 as well as the 3 bulbs i listed. they should all be ok since they are all around 5500 and 6600k right?

also you are right i dont have a reflector. how do u put aluminium foil on it? do you just tape it to the hood?

[Lab_Rat]

yes the stock hood is T8 as well as the 3 bulbs i listed. they should all be ok since they are all around 5500 and 6600k right?

also you are right i dont have a reflector. how do u put aluminium foil on it? do you just tape it to the hood?

Just slide it behind the lightbulb, shiny side so it reflects down into the tank. You can tape it if you want but it should stay anyway. All of those color temps would be fine for plants, I'd probably go with the 6600k since I like the color better.

[gm72]

Actually aluminum foil acts more as a diffusor vs. a reflector. Mylar is a reflector and even white paint will reflect more light than aluminum foil.

[Lab_Rat]

Actually aluminum foil acts more as a diffusor vs. a reflector. Mylar is a reflector and even white paint will reflect more light than aluminum foil.

That's interesting. My lighting appeared (at least to me) more intense, like more was getting into the tank, when I used aluminum foil on the regular lights. But a good quality reflector is better than the foil, it just seemed to work for me before I had my good lights running.

[robflanker]

I wouldnt get lost over the semantics of reflector vs diffuser.

will more light go back to the tank if one use aluminium foil vs nothing? yes
is there a more efficient way? probably
is there a cheaper way? no

IMO, its a cheap effective, better than nothing strategy - very little to lose by trying it, tho one shouldnt also expect a massive difference