I currently have 1.5watts / gal. in my tank which i know now is concidered 'low light' and was wondering what my options were for increasing the watts without spending a lot of money.
I work in the airport lighting industry... I had the word "bulb" driven from my brain long ago (unless you're talking about a bulb shaped lamp, in which case it's acceptable).
i would get rid of the regular fluorescents and get the compact ones if you are planning on growing plants, i personally think the reg ones are crap and just for lighting an aquarium for aesthetic appeal