Aquarium Lights for freshwater/live plants

Question
Hello Karen. Maybe you can help me. I was into aquariums for a few years, then got busy. I've recently purchased a 55 gallon Tall tank from a friend, and have started it cycling. I have an Emperor400 Power filter, a nice airpump going, and the cycling is right on schedule thanks to adding some stresszyme and stress coat. I'm on day 14 now and took a H2o sample in yesterday. So the guy at the store talks me into buying a couple "hearty" plants and some plant food (iron) to help get it going. I do. Then I start thinking about the lighting. I've only got 1- 18" reflector with a 15w Flora-Glo in it!! Not enough light for the 24" depth I'm finding out! Will adding a 20" Power-Glo reflector/light kit help me keep these plants alive and happy? I think that will only add 20w... What do I do? Take the live plants back and forget about it, leaving my fish (when I add them) to frolic around in plastic flora?

Any help would be appreciated....
Thanks, Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,
Oftentimes standard florescent light strips that come with most aquariums are suited only for the viewing of fish and are rarely strong enough for good plant growth. I do know that you can stick with hardy, low light loving plants. There are plants that do fine with standard lighting... Some of these are Hornwort, Anacharis, Java fern, Java moss, Aponogeton (common variety), Anubias, Red ludwiga, Tiger lotus, and even duckweed. These are just a few of the commonly available plants that grow in less than ideal conditions. I have found that fertilizer does not need to be added as long as fish are thriving and eating in the aquarium, in this case the fish waste provide the fertilizer the plants love. Adding Fertilizer yourself is OK. But I have found things to be much simpler to simply let things be kind of natural.

Researching different plant species can help you greatly in selecting those that are best for your lighting conditions, you may prefer to take this route instead of buying expensive lighting.

Most bulbs made for plant growth are commonly available in petstores. High wattages are better for deeper tanks and more light-demanding plants. But you may want to start out with simple easy plants until you research into more expensive lighting and demanding plant species.

I hope this helps!
Best wishes, feel free to email me with anymore questions you may have...
Karen~