wanting to start planted tank

[butterfly_koi]

I'm wanting to start a planted tank am by no means an expert, what do I need to know to start this process? What kind of lights, water, etc. etc.

 

[Coursair]

What size tank ?
In a 10g for example that comes with a two bulb screw in fixture you can use CFLs.

Substrate ??? Lots of choices.

Here is essential reading: a Stickie at the top of the Planted Tank Forum
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/read-this-first-resources-and-references-83826.html

 

[butterfly_koi]

Its a 29 gallon with sand, I had posted a thread in the wanted section for moss but it seems I don't have the right kind of lighting for plants, so I want to know more info before I buy plants

 

[Coursair]

Its a 29 gallon with sand, I had posted a thread in the wanted section for moss but it seems I don't have the right kind of lighting for plants, so I want to know more info before I buy plants

What kind of lighting do you have now ?

Moss will grow under pretty low light.

I would start with Java Ferns or Java Moss. I've had them growing in a bowl with a table lamp nearby and they still grew

Tall tanks like a 29g are a little more challenging to light. But depending on what kind of plants you want, you should easily be able to grow some lowlight plants even with just a T8 as long as its a good spectrum.

A T5 fixture will give you a lot more light. Dual T5s will need CO2 to manage the Algae.

Lowlight isn't dark, just less useable light for plants.

 

[butterfly_koi]

What kind of lighting do you have now ?

you should easily be able to grow some lowlight plants even with just a T8 as long as its a good spectrum.

A T5 fixture will give you a lot more light. Dual T5s will need CO2 to manage the Algae.

Ok this is where my wisdom ends lol I know nothing about lights, but the writing on the bulb says 8,000k full spectrum daylight 17w 120v T8

 

[Coursair]

Ok this is where my wisdom ends lol I know nothing about lights, but the writing on the bulb says 8,000k full spectrum daylight 17w 120v T8

Ok you have a T8 fixture. That's standard.
8,000K is the Kelvin rating ( how blue or red the bulb is ).

17 watts over a 29g is the issue. That's VERY low light. Not even a watt per gallon.

If your fixture is rated for it, try to get a 30 to a 60 watt 6,500K T8 bulb.
The max wattage should be listed inside the fixture.

If possible you want 1-2 watts per gallon.
If you stay with T8s you may need a two bulb fixture ?

If you want to upgrade you can go T5s
This fixture comes with 2 bulbs and free shipping
http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmart.com/product/action/addToCart.jsp

Or http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-55907585196829_2203_3277542

A single T5 will put out more light than 2 T8s I think ???

That's as much as I can say. I'm new at this and just use CFLs over my little tanks.