First plant ideas and lighting.

[Fifi]

I have artificial feathery plants at the moment as I thought I would concentrate on fish to start. I am now ready for beginner plants.

I don't know what lighting I have as I bought the tank secondhand,the tube gives a bright white light. I have space for another tube in the hood ,but I also want to have a tube that shows off the fish colours.

My questions are:

What beginner plants to get?
Can I have 1 or 2 plants in small baskets so I don't have to change the substrate yet?
What lighting is best for plants and showing fish colours?

I have
6 Neon Tetra
2 Dwarf gourami
1 kissing gourami
1 green sailfin molly

 

[Blinky]

If the tube is fluorescent and the wattage isn't marked on the bulb, how long is it? Regular (not compact) fluorescent tubes are usually 10W per foot of length. If you've got space for two tubes, that's fantastic - you'll have more options with more light.
To start off easy, you could go with tubes that are marked 'daylight' which approximate light at noon in the tropics. They're a nice colour (~5000- 7000K), pleasing to the eye, and plants grow well with them. Lighting can get really complicated, very quickly - if you want more detailed information there are lots of people here who can help. I have some knowledge, but I'm still learning the finer points.
Once you figure out how many watts per gallon of light you have, you can select plants based on the amount of light you have.
You don't have to change the substrate if you don't want to, as long as you fertilize the plants you can ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

 

[Fifi]

The tube is 16ins long and is marked 15w

I have checked and unfortunately there is no more space for other bulbs.

Thanks for the advice

 

[NotCalebSherida]

if it's a 10g or so (as long as it's shallow) lighting isnt a huge issue you can easily grow java fern, amazon sword, and anachris. I have had great luck with hardly any light... just leave the lights on for 12 hours a day and that's it ... java fern comes from the store in sorry shape, but after like 2 months it grows in beautiful dark green leaves that grow like weeds... it is a beautiful plant given time..

i suggest gro-light bulbs or something similar.. they are like $10-$15, but in my opinion worth it, maybe even if it's just for peace of mind