Lighting for live plants on a 46G Bow?

[ohhmernn]

I've got a 46G bow tank that I started up in January. Everything is going smoothly, water testings all fine, fish are in good condition, haven't lost any.

My problem is, the lighting I have isn't strong enough for live plants. The ones I have... for the most part are turning brown, then see through... and there appears to be more and more brown algae covering areas of the tank.

The lighting that I have, is just basic- what came with the tank.

According to the sticker on the hood it's :

36" Deluxe Fluorescent Aquarium Reflector. 120 Volt 60HZ 38 Watt (does that mean the highest bulb that can be put in is 38 watt?)

There is currently one bulb in it that reads 25 watt.

What is it I need to have to keep live plants in my tank... and where can I get it without having to make something.

FYI- The tanks depth from top to bottom is 20 inches.

Thanks for any imput/insight, your help is greatly appreciated!

[Shagmaster]

A good rule of thumb that I have found is 1 1/2 - 2 watts per gallon.

[ohhmernn]

so, roughly 70 watts?

[Mgamer20o0]

yes should be only 38 watts you can put in there. check out some ahsupply.com lights. if you want to go the cheap way get T8 shop lights from home depot.

[ohhmernn]

http://www.ahsupply.com/96watt.htm... 96 watts. I don't quite understand, if I were to go this route, do they just send you all the parts, and you have to put it all together? Or does it come all ready to go like what you would get from the petstore?...

[Mgamer20o0]

its a kit you have to put it together install it in the canopy or a lighting hood.