Is 96w of 6700k CPF light over 20 gal freshwater planted tank too much?

Question

I have a 20 gallon freshwater planted tank with flourite substrate and a 96 watt CPF quad bulb in 6700 k . Is that too much with out co2 ?
Thanks

Answer 1

That's just a hair under 5 watts per gallon. Whether that will be too much for your tank will depend on the types of plants you want to keep and their lighting intensity needs. See this link for a way to calculate the intensity: http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-lighting.html and this one for the lighting needs for specific plants: http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-list.html

If you have fish in the tank, they will provide some CO2 for your plants, and even the plants release CO2 at night. Good tank maintenence and water changes will reduce the nutrients availble for algae. You can also control this with the photoperiod, but for a planted tank, you need to keep the lights on. Remember your plants need the light for photosynthesis too, and if nutrients in the tank are limited, the vascular plants generally out-compete algae in acquiring them.

Some additional reading:

Answer 2

Yes, in my opinion you are going to have a hard time balancing c02 levels and nutrients. The plants will utilize what C02 is in the water quickly with that amount of light, and when it is gone, the algae will thrive on what nutrients the plants were not able to use up.

I would limit your lighting to 4-5 hours a day if possible, that will help keep the algae at bay. You can build your own reaction C02 system if you want. Its very simple. 2 liter bottle some water, sugar, and yeast, will produce C02.

Answer 3

some snails consume vegetation, some do no longer. some proliferate and take over the tank. somewhat analyze ought to enable you there. you do not have algae through fact you do not have fish. Algae consumes ammonia and nitrates. stay vegetation are opposition for algae, so as that during itself will help. the wonderful algae eating fish for a tank that length is otocinclus. It keeps to be small and eats algae in the process this is lifespan, as antagonistic to a pair fish that outgrow it. Cories and different backside dwellers are solid for eating fishfood that sinks to the backside. be sure to analyze them precise. Many backside dwellers could desire to be in communities, and you go with ones which will stay small. analyze all fish nicely formerly paying for, and confirm you enable for the grownup length of the fish. finally, please be sure which you already know the nitrogen cycle formerly you place fish in the tank. Fishless biking is cautioned, to stay away from ailment and death. as quickly as the tank is cycled, upload fish slowly, giving the cycle a minimum of a week to seize up.