Converting 55gal goldie tank to plant tank....need some help please.

[Blue goldfish]

I currently have a 55gal tank that needs some work, like i need to build my own hood for it. I'll have either 2 4ft bulbs or 4 2ft bulbs(note sizes aren't exact). Will this be enough lighting or should i boost to 3 or 4 4ft bulbs?? I'll make the hood out of plywood and treat it for outside weather so that humidity won't be a problem. Ok now for the filtration. I want to get 2 Aquaclear 200's for filtration considering the bio load i have. My current filtration is temporary. The fish that i currently have are 1 7in common goldfish, 2 7/8in Sarasa comets, 7 native minnows roughly 21/2 inches each, 1 4in madtom catfish, 1 3in fantail, 1 5in unknown minnow, and 6 2-3in shubukins. You may say how in the world that's too much a bio load for a 55gal but trust me it's all temporary. The minnows and the big minnow will be moved to another tank when i get the filter for it and a place to set it up. Mostly what's holding me back is not anymore room to place tanks since there's 5 tanks already in the room. And that's the only room i can put tanks in. 3 10gals, 1 20gal, and 1 55gal.

Also after this gets setup what's the most durable plants u know of that i can stick in this tank. Egeria Densa and onion bulbs are two i know that have survived the goldfish munchies. Any floating/rooting plant suggestions??? Any and all are welcome. I will also be getting Flourish for fertilizer.
Any advice is welcome.

[djlen]

Since you don't appear to be going for the plants, big time, a couple of 48" tubes will probably do. Note that if you do, in the future opt for a planted tank you will definitely need more than 80 watts. I have two 55s.....one with two 40"(80 watts total) which at 1.5 watts/gal. is a low light tank....the other with four 40s(160 watts.) is at about 3 watts/gal. is IMO a medium lighted tank. 55s are, as you know a deep tank at 24" and need a lot of light to penetrate the water at that depth.
I've always used aluminum foil as a reflector for my tubes, but many people consider a white surface as a better reflector. You might consider that when you finish building your hood.
Whether the Egeria will survive with 80 watts is questionable. Java Fern and Anubia are tough plants that don't require much light and they might be ok with the fish you describe.
You may need larger filters than 200s. I would suggest a 200 and a 300 or two 300s. Goldfish are notoriously dirty fish.
Len

[Blue goldfish]

OK i see the per gallon amount for light thingy. I'll work on that. i think your right at 4 tubes should be a good amount for this setup. And i'll make the hood where i can add more tubes on a later date if i need to. Thanks alot. And on the filters i'm visiting my LFSs and see how big the 200 acutally is. So i can get a good grip on how it will operate. Alrighty then thanks alot for the advice.