What would be the best lighting for my tank.

[speedy]

I currently have a 4 foot discus tank and i am having trouble growing plants in it :( .It,s 2 foot high so i was thinking that i dont have strong enough lighting. I currently have a single tube fluro its a 36Watt Growthlight. I was planning on puting another bouble tube fluro with similar tubes. The plants dont seem to grow and then eventualy die off.
I have tried a DIY co2 setup and also used seachem plant products and also large fertilizer balls that i got from my LFS. I dont have any propper substrate just gravel. Can anyone suggest anything. Thanks speedy.

[revkev]

Aqualina Single Compact reflector 48inch
Takes 2 x 55w tube ( not included ) $180.00
Catalina 10k/Plant 55w $25.00 ea


http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/category86_1.htm

[ILLUSN]

aqualina light mentioned above is not bad. but a 2x54w t5 fixture with INDIVIDUAL PARRABOLIC/GULLWING REFLECTORS would be optimum. if your serious about growing plants I'd get 2 twin t5 fixtures.

[pringle]

I have found that T8s are not as effective as T5s due to space constraints - more advantageous with the T5s. You can put more T5s over the tank. I run 8x39w T5s on my 3 foot, and I think it is just enough for good plant growth.

I also believe on good substrate (not just gravel) for the growth of plants, followed by CO2. I'm afraid there are no short cuts available.

[speedy]

Thanks for your info.

[JamezMan]

How many litres or gallons is your tank pringle? Sounds like alot of light to me.

[ILLUSN]

T5HO's are only at their full benifit when combined with appropriate reflectors, these increase the light hitting the tank by up to 300%.
I've got a 4x39w t5HO unit on a 4x2x1.5 with 5 inches of substrate. this unit i got off ebay, uses a single flat reflecter for all 4 tubes and it's output is significantly less then my 2x54w unit which uses 1 "gullwing" reflecter per tube (similar to the aquamedic t5 twin strip lights).