Oops...
I see that I did not actually answer your questions....

I stick to lower light requirment plants, such as baby tears, peacock moss, other various mosses, ferns, and shifferlara (misplelled). Since I have been a life long fish keeper, I have an "inventory" of extra supplies. On this tank I am using your basic 20 inche double strip light fixture with cheap bulbs "power glo" brand because I prefer the bright white color. I actually believe that it might be too much light and probably will be switching to a single light strip soon.

Hobbies are expensive... Again, being a life long fish keeper I have experimented with all the "new and improved", "hip and slick" equipment that hit the market over the years and have found, more often that not, new is not always better, and sometimes not as good as what was. I have gone full circle and am back to low tech finding that it generally works better, longer, with less problems and is quite frankly, cheaper.

Although "cheap buys twice", tired and true works.