Lighting help

[dinnerflexor]

I read the article yet still need some clarification. I'm upgrading to a 25 gal. tank (Aquenon 25 kit-24"L x 13"W x 21"H) I will not be running CO2 (Side of Tank is 5-6 feet from south facing window) I am going to use eco complete substrate with a sand border in front. My current plants can handle low light.
The lights that came with it are T5 120v 14w Colormax and 6,700K 14w bulbs. (Aquenon 24" dual lamps-power is 28w)
This doesn't seem to be enough. I want med light and enough to penetrate the deeper tank. What should I pick up? Can I use the same light fixture?

 

[fort384]

That is enough light for some low light plants, but not much more. You would probably want to look at a dual t5 HO setup (the ho is for high output). You cannot put more powerful bulbs in the fixture... you will have to get a new fixture. Fluorescent bulbs aren't like incandescents in that you can put higher wattage bulbs in the same fixture.

Something like this would work nicely:

2F/2Bulbs fixtures

This would put you squarely in medium to medium high light, and would grow a myriad of plants.