Lighting for my community 36 bow front?

Ok I'm sure there are plenty of stickies and threads on here about lighting, but one of my weaker points in this hobby is understanding the science that goes into plant lighting. I'm great at water chemistry, parameters and all that jazz. Because I mean it's CHEMISTRY! But the nitty gritty science of which light I should use for which plants and how many Kelvins and lumens. It just never clicked for me. Sooooo lighting for my community 36 bow front? GO!!

 

I would look into the Fluval Spectrum 3.0, the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 or the Vivagrow. All these 3 are great light that will work for a low/med tech set up

 

I’m guessing it’s a planted tank? Next is what plants are you looking to grow. How many do you want. Just a few here an there, a nicely planted or a fully planted tank with carpeting plants and red plants.

 

I would look into the Fluval Spectrum 3.0, the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 or the Vivagrow. All these 3 are great light that will work for a low/med tech set up

Along with a good liquid fertilizer and you really should have no trouble growing some of the easier plants

 

I'm leaning towards a look like this, but with plants that will survive hard water column.
Like Anubias, Cryptocorynes, Limnophila, Rotala. And I really like any kinds of Swords but I tried that once and it didn't take to my hard water well.

Also completely random but I tried to post a video of my 20 gallon in a new thread to show where it's at now and what I plan to do to fix it and make a brand new show off worthy project. I couldn't get the video to load.

 

To put up a video you have to download it onto utube than paste the video here.

 

To put up a video you have to download it onto utube than paste the video here.

Dang it. I was afraid of that.

 

Yeah it’s surprising they don’t let you download videos. I find the utube video doesn’t come out as clear as if you just downloaded it yourself.

 

I'm still so confused about the exact specs I need for my tank. I want it at least half or more than half covered in plants. Some of my plants will benefit from good at least medium light. What Kelvin or wattage do I need to get the light to reach my plants to the bottom of the tank? My tank is 30 in. in length and 22 in. in height.

Ok. I found this.

I think this looks like it could do a good job at growing some plants. Keeping them happy and healthy. I have a Nicrew on my 20, have had it over 2 yrs and it still works great. Not to mention I've dropped it in the tank several times. My daughter's cat has knocked it into the tank late at night or while we were away and it has sat submerged for who knows how many hrs and it still works like new. They are good durable lights with a great price. I'm just curious what you guys think on the specs. Will it be powerful enough?
P.s. I'm looking at the specs for an 18' - '24.

 

I just bought the new vivagrow 24/7 at 24”. So far it’s a nice light with 10,000k. Fully programmable. I have many of the older vivagrows and they have been great lights.

 

FWIW, after a lot of reading and research I bought a Finnex planted+ 24/7 KLC model 24”. Its rated at 7K and is dimmable (among other features).