New Tank

[Dwhaerter]

Hello AA, I'm starting a 46 gal bow front tank (got the tank for a good deal, but its from Wal-Mart) and I would like to make it a planted tank. I would like to purchase new lighting for it and was wondering if i should buy a new hood or just find some new lights at wal-mart, petco, petsmart, etc...
It has a 36" Hg (mercury?) bulb in there now, All Glass Aquarium brand.
Sorry i'm still new to this and still learning...any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MarkP]

A 36" NO light will be 30 watts, if I recall correctly? Your probably going to want a stronger light, or a second one. If you want low light plants, you've going to probably want 60-70 watts of NO Light. For higher light plants, the level where you'll need CO2 for, you probably want a 100+ watt CF Fixture.