? 18 in tube light

[dbosman]

I am not a DIY person when it comes to lighting
And such

Any new lamp will be brighter than an older one.
Plants that will do well in that tank are mostly going to be stems and vals, so the single T8 15-18 watt lamp will do reasonably well.

Another option is an LED flood light. You'd have to purchase one of the ~$35.00 LED down lights, but it would light the tank all the way to the bottom. Home Depot sells them. You'd need a socket hanging over the tank, but no reflector as LEDs shine down, not out.