Low Light, Slow Grow Tank

[Kirk Melton <triax at bellsouth_net>]

Ok, all of the responses to my previous post about non-CO2 injected tanks 
has inspired me to convert the 72 gallon bowfront at my office, which only 
has silk plants in it right now, to a slow grow tank.  It has a twin tube 
strip light with two 40 watt bulbs in it.  The substrate is plain washed 
gravel, and is about 2 inches deep (I think I will have to deepen it for 
plants, right?).  pH is on the order of 7.8 out the tap, I can't remember 
the dKH or total hardness, as it has been almost a year since I last tested 
it.  This tank has very little if any algae in it.  I am neglectful in my 
water changes (maybe twice a month tops - usually only once).  I 
infrequently change filter media in the canister as well.  I know, bad bad 
bad!  But, the fish seem to be fine.  There is a long bubble wand along the 
back side of the tank which circulates the water.  All of the decoration is 
plastic of some sort, logs from the local CleverPet [name changed].  I will 
be changing everything to a natural material along with planting it.  Now, 
for my question...what do I need to do to get HEALTHY looking growth in 
this tank?  Should I use water column and/or substrate fertilization; how 
long of a photoperiod; what species should I try (please, no Java Fern -- 
it turns so black in my tanks with no CO2)?  My first aquarium (Eclipse 37 
gallon) was setup with none of the amenities I have afforded myself in 
my  fast grow tanks (CO2, power compacts, Jobe's plant sticks, Seachem 
flourish products), and the plants there were  a miserable failure.  Oh, 
the fishload is as follows:

6 Otocinculus - maybe fewer now, they are so hard to keep track of.
4 Clown Loaches - all 3" or under
7 Cardinal Tetras
2 Angelfish (they've actually spawned under these conditions!) - about 3-4" 
from dorsal to anal fin
1 Bleeding Heart Tetra - about 2"
1 BloodFin Tetra - about 1 1/2"
5 Black Skirt Tetras - each about 1 1/2"
1 Blue Gourami - about 2.5"
2 YoYo Botias - about 2.5"
2 Congo Tetras - about 3"

Slow grow would be ideal here, because I don't have a lot of extra time for 
constant pruning.  Please tell me how to get started.

Thanks,

Kirk


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