Lighting For Plants

[RyanV]

I have two 55 gallon tanks and currently have a small anubias plant in each one, hopping to add more plants later on. My LFS told me the lights I had that came with my tanks were fine, but I took a look at the watts of the lights and it's only 15W There are 2 lights per tank for a total of 30W's per tank.

Am I correct in assuming this is not enough lighting?
What can I do to improve the lighting for my plants?
Will simply adding different lights with more watts work?
If so how much is recommended?

EDIT: The lights are 18''

 

[DrRob]

depends a lot on exactly what the light is. A 30W incandescent will be next to useless. 30W of LED will be very bright. Can you tell us a little more about what the lights are.

Do you mean 55 gallons or litres?

 

[RyanV]

They are fluorescent bulbs.

Yes 55 gallons, I think that's like 200-210 liters?

 

[RyanV]

Bump

 

[Sammy1911]

for a low tech planted tank work on <2 watts per gallon anything over wud likely need co2, if ur just starting out stick with a low tech so something like 2x 30w florescent ive just bought 1x hagen aquaglo & 1x sunglo for use with my 55g planted cichlid community tank. check out lighting section just below hardware - steveo is great, he'll set u right!

doh! its in the next section down -> plants -> lighting...