[Snyder_7]

I have a 55 gallon tank that I want to turn into a low tech planted aquarium. I'm currently building a hood for it, and I was just wondering what equipment everyone here would recommend. I don't want to shell out money for a Co2 system, because at the moment my budget is exceedingly tight. Anyways, I'm basically looking for a ballpark figure expense-wise for lighting/the ballast (that IS the thing that the lights hook into, right..?) substrate, heater, and enough relatively easy to care for plants to provide an ample amount of cover for the fish that I would eventually add. The main focus here is building an aquarium on a tight budget that’s still functional.

A general outline of the actual equipment and plants would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance.