Low Tech Lighting For A 55 Gallon

[HHH]

I have a 40w t12 on my 55 gallon tank with a soil substrate. The plants are roseafolia,amazon sword,hygrophilloa corymbosa(i think thats how you spell it), a crypt,some melting jungle val,and a java fern. The plants are alive and kind of "growing". Is this enough light? I only want decent growth but nothing crazy so will this lighting work? Or will i need something more powerful?

 

[Livewire88]

As you are aware you have low lighting for the size of your tank, so if you leave it as is the plants will grow at a slow rate. 
 
If you want the plants to grow quicker and also look healthier then look into upgrading your lighting, there are a number of ways you can do this and it all depends on how much ££ you want to spend. you can either add a second tube to your existing lighting or even better upgrade to high output T5 bulbs.
 
Be aware that if you do upgrade your lighting you should look at adding a fertilizer to feed your plants, I don't know what soil you are using but I am sure it is feeding your plants, so you would need to work out how much you would need to add to your tank in order for your plants to grow nice and healthy. Also you could look into dosing a liquid Co2 which would also help with the overall health of your plants.
 
There is a lot to think about when looking to upgrade your lighting but if you keep us updated we can help you along the way.
 
Cheers
Dan 

 

[HHH]

I would prefer not to use co2 but if needed i would. Would one strip of a 54w t5 be enough? Or would it be better to ger 2 tubes for roughly 2wpg? O and do you know if chelted iron and magnesium will kill fish fry?

 

[HHH]

change in plans I cant afford a fixture that holds 2 t5s but I can afford one holding 2 t8s. would it be better to go with one HO 54w t5 or 2 32w t8s?