Brighter Light?

[gearhead65]

My tank came with the single florescent 18" 15w bulb. My tank is 30g. So, that being said, this is not adequate lighting for my plants, correct? Isn't it supposed to be 2wpg minimum? Does anyone know where I can get any higher wattage 18" (T8 I think) bulbs?

 

[the biffster]

i used to get a tube from my lfs
called a Triton and also one called sunglo

 

[xxBarneyxx]

You can do planted tanks with lower light levels. You just have be be more careful about the plants you pick. Once you hit 2wpg and above you do have more choice with plants and growth will be very quick but you will also need to be adding CO2.

If you want to add more light then you could get a power compact or T5 lights fairly cheaply and probably be able to fit them into your current hood (you need the ballast, end caps and tubes).

 

[RadaR]

My tank came with the single florescent 18" 15w bulb. My tank is 30g. So, that being said, this is not adequate lighting for my plants, correct? Isn't it supposed to be 2wpg minimum? Does anyone know where I can get any higher wattage 18" (T8 I think) bulbs?

No, that's not correct. No plants needs a minimum of 2WPG. There's no such thing as a high light plant or a low light plant. There are plants that require more nutrients or CO2 though, e.g. HC loves loads of CO2 and nitrates.
More light means the demands of the plants go up. Therefore they need more CO2 and nutrients. Failing to supply these after you increase the light will result in algae, lots of the stuff.
With 15W over 30gallon, plant growth will be very slow, however it's much more managable and there's less chance of algae (which need only two things to be triggered, light+ammonia). You wouldn't have to dose CO2 or nutrients. The demands would be so low that the fish would probably be able to produce everything.
You can get away with adding another 15W if you wish. You still shouldn't have to dose CO2 or macro nutrients (NPK). Maybe some trace elements (micro nutrients) every water change or so.
Easy beginner plants for your tank include:

Amazon swords
Cryptocorynes
Java fern
Java moss
Anubias
Ambulia
Hygrophila
Ludwigia