What Should I Use?!

[CJH0825]

I have a 55g tank. Just getting into live plants. On Friday I got 3 Water Sprite. I'm wanting to know what type of lighting I should be using and if I can use Miracle Grow as a fert for them. From what I understand Miracle Grow is basically the same as Flourish Excel.

 

[techen]

I wouldn't use Miracle grow, I would rather stick to something safe and proven like other ferts.
 
Flourish Excel is CO2, Not ferts. You'll want Flourish trace and of course you can use use Liquid CO2 too.
 
What are your lights at the moment? Size of tank and depth.

 

[CJH0825]

It's a 55g tank, 48" x 13" x 21". It has a split hood ( 2 hoods instead of just one ). One light is 15watt T8, The other is Aqua Ray 15 watt.

 

[techen]

30watts in a 55g is low.
 
So you want around 60watts of T5 lighting would sort you out around the low-mid range of lighting. Nothing too high tech but you would benafit from dosing liquid CO2 with lighting like that.
 
You could also go down the LED range but it costs more.

 

[CJH0825]

I want to try and stay on the cheap side of things if I can for right now. Funding is a little low.
Any suggestions on Co2 liquid products?

 

[techen]

Flourish Excel like the one you said is liquid CO2.
 
There's also a few other cheaper ones, you need to shop around to find one that works out for you price wise.

 

[CJH0825]

Okay! As far as the lights, If I could find 2 50watt bulbs, Would that be too much light?
 
Or would I be able to use something like this. It is 18" for both sides.
 
http/www.petco.com/product/10387/Zoo-Med-Coral-Sun-T-8-Bulbs.aspx?CoreCat=MM_FishSupplies_HoodsLighting