Help with plants lights substrate

[fishaddict]

Help please, i need light desperately. I have a 55 gallon tank (48 1/4 x12 3/4 x21) that is planted but doesnt look that great because the plants pretty much look like they are on their way to dying. I only have 1 40 watt tube in there. I think its fluorescent but im not sure. It came with it. Ive seen all types of things out there but i just want to make the plants and fish look good. I can also only put in 1 bulb because theres only one place on the hood and i really dont want another hood. I also dont really want to add co2 to this if possible, i think it might be to risky for me, ph dropping and everything else that goes with it.

I also need help with like fertilizer i guess if anyone can please help. What kind, all i have is the little pebbles in the 2-3 mm or cm range. I guess the common type. Should i completely change it to sand or something. I tried little tabs but after about a month they dissolved and left white powder all over the place and my plants still look the same. Also would any of fish eat this stuff, like my shark who just picks up shrimp pellets off the ground, he spits the little pebbles out.

Okay one more question, i promise, id like to get like a little grass look going but would a fertilizer deal help here and can i plant any other plants in this grass. I guess like java moss or fern is available here.

Thanks for any help here

 

[djlen]

Ok, you don't need a lot of wattage for what we call "low light" plants. Java Ferns, and Java Moss, Anubias(many varieties) also do well in low light. In my opinion, you do need a bit more light than the lights in the hoods they sell or give you with 55 gallon tanks. I have one and it came with two-15 watt light fixtures. I found them inadequate to do the job. Unfortunately, the size tubes that come in these set ups only have 15 watts. If you want more light you'll have to get either a shop light at Home Depot with two 40 watt tubes in it(10-15 dollars), or a compact lighting set up, which is much more expensive, and from what you say, unnecessary for your purposes. The home depot shop light would give you about a watt and a half per gallon and I use one, again with low light plants, and am happy with it.
Let me direct you to our search engine where you can get plenty of info on substrate(gravel), and plant ferilization.
Look at the upper right corner of the page and you'll see a "search" button. Click on it and type in whatever subject you need help with and you'll get a lot of previously written threads on that subject. Then if you still have questions you can come at it from more of an informed place, and a better understanding of what we are talking about when we answer your questions.
Hope this has helped.
Len