Lynn Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 With fall coming and colder weather I am questioning whether or not to cover my 20 gal tank. I live in an area with hard water and high lime content which is the reason I do not have a lid on now; everything turns white very quickly. If I cover the tank will I need to purchase a stronger light. Right now I have a Aquarium Co-op Finnix Stingray light on it and it is very low light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDukeAnumber1 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Are you trying to grow plants, what's your goal with the light? Regardless minerals on the underside of the lid will diffuse/block some light, but you can solve this with periodic cleaning of the lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 Yes, it is a planted tank and I am afraid that the cover will block enough light that even the low light plants will have a hard time growing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siniardem Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 I have a lid and this issue but vinegar watered down cuts the mineral clean up to an easy scrub if scrub is even needed. Also my light came with the tank so there is a glass opening for it where the rest is plastic covered. I leave it on 12 hours for optimal growth. If algae starts to grow on the glass between the light and the tank where the minerals collect and splash, I will hit that part with vinegar so that between the 12 hours of light directly on the algae and the vinegar it will burn out the green growth of algae but will benefit the plant growth all year round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 I have a Finnex Stingray 2 on my 120 (2’x2‘x4’) with a lid on it and have no issues growing plants. I’ve got swords, crypts, dwarf Sagittarius, java fern, Anubias and water sprite to give you an idea on what grows in that deep of a tank with that light on it. The light is on 10 hours a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDukeAnumber1 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 @Lynn You can run a quick test with a light meter app on a phone. I may give you a rough idea on how much light the lid will block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 Thank you everyone for your help. First planted tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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