OK, I'm going to give you my advice, which is based on being as cheap as
possible (I have had very good success with this route). I don't know much
about pressurized CO2, and what system you should get, but I have only heard
bad things about carbo-plus: it is expensive to replenish the carbon block,
and may not produce enough CO2 for tanks like your or bigger. Again, though,
no experience here. For a substrate in a 55 gallon, I used profile clay soil
conditioner (find it at home depot) and laterite. It would cost about $20 to
$30 US to do your 60gal with 4" of substrate. I've had tremendous success
with it, but I can't compare it to flourite which I've never used. As for
lighting, your tank is the perfect size for 2 inexpensive shop light fixtures
with 2 four foot tubes each. Good luck!

In article ,
(dpots) wrote:
I was hoping to get some advice and opinions on these 2 subjects. I
am setting up a 60g tank which will house various anubias, vals,
crypts, and swords. I have been keeping these types of plants for
years in smaller tanks with ok results. I would like to step up and
try a CO2 system, better lighting, and better substrate. I was
recommended Fluorite as a substrate by several people and my LFS. Is
this really necessary or is regular gravel ok to use. I am trying to
decide on using a pressurized CO2 system versus the carbo plus unit.
I am leaning towards the pressurized system and would like some
recommendations on which one(s) would work best. Also, what type of
lighting would be recommended for these types of plants. I have
always used vitalites on my tanks with minimal results. These were
recommended by my LFS.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

__
"Insert witty comment here."
-John