Starting My Planted Tank...

[McCool]

I'm looking to make my 55 gallon a planted tank. Nothing overly high tech, but I'd like a fair amount of plant growth. Not sure on what kind of plants I want yet.
Anyways, the lighting I'm getting is off of my friends salt tank. It's 2 T5 bulbs. One is a 39 Watt daylight, and the other an atinic. I assume I need to change out the atinic, what kind of bulb should I get? Another daylight?
I also just got a new canister filter, rated for 70 gallons. I know plant tanks need a lot of flow. Will the filter be enough or should I invest in a powerhead?
Substrate. Right now the tank is all sand. I recently just rescaped one of my 5 gallons with Eco Complete, and I really like how it looks and functions in planting. I also used the Eco complete in my new 5 gallon Spec. I was wondering if it would be worth it to take the sand from the 55 gallon and switch to Eco complete? I like the look of the dark gravel way better, however it is 20$ for a 20lb bag. How many bags would I need? What's y'alls opinion on this substrate? I read a lot of good things about it, and I know what a pain it is to plant with sand. Suggestions?
Ideas?
Opinions?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I'd go with the Eco complete, as far as the lights go, you should be fine just using some ferts without CO2. Flow wise do you know the litres per hour of the filter? You want about 10 x turnover per hour so around the 2000lph mark so may need a power head.

 

[McCool]

I'd go with the Eco complete, as far as the lights go, you should be fine just using some ferts without CO2. Flow wise do you know the litres per hour of the filter? You want about 10 x turnover per hour so around the 2000lph mark so may need a power head.

Awesome! Not sure on the filter, and I'm out of town so I can't check. Any advice on the other lightbulb? With this set up would my tank be able to grow atleast some moderate plants? Sorry for all the questions, any planted tank I've done has been near a window. Also, what ferts would you recommend?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Just a daylight 6500K colouration bulb is fine, not sure what ferts are available in the US but seachem flourish is probably a good start I believe it is a trace mix.

 

[McCool]

Just a daylight 6500K colouration bulb is fine, not sure what ferts are available in the US but seachem flourish is probably a good start I believe it is a trace mix.

Awesome! Thank you for the help!