low light 29 gallon

[rrcoolj]

hey guys, I have a 29 gallon angelfish tank that I want to make into a low light setup. Now I don't want to spend tons of money on lighting, is there anyway I could turn what I have now into a low light planted aquarium without spending tons of money on light? And what low light plants are there besides Java fern, anubias, and crypts? I'm looking for a backround and foreground plants that you put in the substrate so it will fill up space. And will I need any special substrate for the plants being planted in the gravel? the tank is 18in deep with about 20 watts

 

[jay17]

how about the fluorescent lights? cheap and expendable.. generally works in all tanks..

 

[rrcoolj]

yeah but wouldn't I have to buy another lighting fixture or would I have to just change the bulb?

 

[ar0wan]

coralife nutrigrow bulbs.
I would be amiss if I didn't say (2) would be much better than (1)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+4505&pcatid=4505

 

[mach_six]

Try Home depot, Lowes, Walmart and buy the cheaper GE branded plant and aquarium bulbs they have. Should be like $7 a piece.

 

[rrcoolj]

what I wanna know is can I just change the bulb or do I have to buy a whole new fixture? In other words, can I stick with a 24" 20 watt bulb in that size tank?

 

[ar0wan]

If you double the wattage to 40w you'd still be considered low light.
You need another fixture.

And I've used the GE "Plant bulbs"
Do yourself a favor and avoid these.
The plants didn't seem to perform
and the colors are aweful (real low in green spec)

 

[rrcoolj]

No I wanna know if can keep low light plants in with this kind of lighting.

 

[ar0wan]

If you double the wattage to 40w you'd still be considered low light.
You need another fixture.

 

[rrcoolj]

so if I doubled the lighting to 40 watts it wouldn't matter because 20 or 40 watts it would still be a low light tank. right?