Lighting, The More I Read The Less I Know

[Arbee]

I have read, and read some more about lighting for plants.  There seems to be a far amount of disagreement on what is the "best".  My Current 75 gallon has one T8 FloGro or something on it and the string of LED I run in the evening for the moonlight effect.  Here is the question, my husband is very handy and is building me a wooden topper for the tank, and will install whatever lights I want.  I would rather go the DIY on lighting and not spend $300+ on a lighting fixture.  
 
As of right now, I am leaning towards some SHO twistie compact thing bulbs.... I can't remember the exact ones.  But even with my T8 which I know isn't enough some of the plants are growing like crazy.  I am using fert weekly, and am trying to learn more about CO2.  Am I going in the right direction with the SHO bulbs?
 
Thanks

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I am going to try and keep you busy. I suggest, to understand lighting basics you have a read here: http/mysite.verizon.net/ptimlin/lighting.html
 
Then I am going to suggest you poke around here http/www.ahsupply.com/
 
I have never worked with LEDs so will not comment. But for the most part all of the fancy lighting stuff is less important in lower light type tanks and way more critical in those high tech tanks with co2 added or fancy reef tanks for sw.

 

[Arbee]

Thank you very much!

 

[SamB]

(now start reading about CO2!) 

 

[Arbee]

I keep finding the sites where they are basically fermenting juice and letting the gas run into their tanks.....kinda of a 2 for 1....I win and fish win!!  

 

[SamB]

My set up is distilling vodka while it creates co2.. just realized what i was making today, oops! I'm calling it Betta Brew. (Copyright)

 

[Arbee]

Love it!