29 gallon help

[Bigehugedome]

Hello,

I have a 29 gallon tank which has been running for 2 and a half years. It has a standard 30" T-8 with a 6500k life glo bulb. I have tried numerous types of plants over the years but nothing really works. I'm thinking I need to upgrade my lights, but then I know I may need Co2 etc and I don't know if i want to go crazy.

I just started a SW tank so I want to improve this tank now before I loose all interest in it, but I'm limited on funds.

I'm looking for suggestions on lighting upgrades and whatever else I may need to go with it. Also looking for plant suggestions.

I have tried various crypts, Val's, moss, easy swords. And eventually everything just gets brown and dies.

I started with Eco complete but didn't like the look of it after a while so I moved to play sand.

Some other specs:
Filter is a penn plax cascade 700
Temp 78
Water is about 7.0 pH and 7-8 dGH
Stock is down to 8 black neon tetras, and 8 rummy nose tetra.

Any advice it ideas?

Oh and this needs to be closed top. In fact they make a canopy that matches my stand and I would want to get that. I have four cats and they lay on the tanks

[Rush3737]

I'm far from any expert, but generally speaking any light that comes in a kit or from a chain store generally won't cut it for plants, so that probably has a lot to do with it.

[Bigehugedome]

I talked to many who are "low tech" and said that light would be fine. But I had no luck with it. And I'm not going to be happy going low tech. So it's time for some upgrades. I know I need better light. Just not sure what path to take

[Rush3737]

If you're willing to buy a CO2 setup then from what I've come to understand here the sky is the limit. With a steady supply of that, just provide some great lighting (Hoppy's thread in lighting is a good reference) and fertilize and you should have plants thriving easily.

[steven p]

I had poor luck in a 29 with one bulb. With two t8s I don't need co2. With one bulb and window light I need it.