Confused newbie

I recently purchased a 150gal tank( 72x18x27 ).I want to do a 'low-tech'/non CO2 set-up.I have a few questions about the lighting and substrate.I am not 100% sure about my whole plant list,but would like to have the following.

Vallisneria
Swords
Cabomba
Egeria
Elocharis
Ludwigia vert
Java fern


I am not planning on planting the entire tank.I want a section of the tank bottom to be 'open' sand,as I plan on trying to have geophagus in the tank.I will try to add a sketch of my layout below.

My questions are as follows.

#1 How much lighting will I need to grow the above plants.I will be DIY'ing the lighting so I'm pretty much open here.I was thinking of doing a T8 or T5 set-up.

#2 Is 'Onyx sand' recomended in the article absolutely required or are there cheaper alternatives.The onyx sand (seachem) I looked at was $20.00 a bag
and for the volume/area I would need starts to add up quickly.

I'm sure there are several more questions I'll have but this will at least get me headed in the right direction.Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks for the response,just a couple of things to clarify before I get going on this project.

I may not have been very precise about the onyx sand question,I plan on using either play sand or pool filter sand for the 'open sand' area.After getting the stump into the tank this afternoon I think the amount of substrate I will require has been GREATLY reduced ,wich came as a pleasent suprise.

#1 So my question is now would this subtrate mix work well for me.This will only be used in the planted sections. Laterite 'first layer' as a base layer,a mix of peat moss and sand as second layer,and a top coat/layer of the onyx sand.I also saw a mention of 'black diamond or diamond black' somewhere in one of the articles about non CO2 tanks,I googled it and I got a local hydroponics store that has a similar product called leonardite(sp?).Where would this go in the mix or is it something I shouldnt bother with?

#2 The lighting you recommended only equals about 160 watts or just over 1 wpg,As Im going to build the hood/canopy I thought I would use 2 ballasts anyway so should I do 3 or 4 bulbs over the 'planted' side front to back and 2 bulbs over the 'back' of the other side?There by bumping up to 200-240 total watts or 1.3-1.5 wpg.I updated the sketch to include lighting.

#3 Is there a reason you suggested canister filters,as opposed to other types of filtration?I'm not dead set on another type of filtration just curious.

I liked your idea about the floating weeds/plants,I was hoping the Vallisneria would 'cover' the top of the tank in that area and was going to try a direct the leaves in that direction with the return/spraybars anyway so Its good for me to know I was on the right track there

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your knowlege.

 

I have a new question about this project.Can I use standard T5 bulbs?I found a great deal on some T5 ballasts but unfortunatly they are not HO ballasts.I was thinking of 8 standard T5's that would give me a greater amount of lumens and about the same number of watts,but I am unsure about the standard bulbs penetrating to my tank depth 28"( btw my tank is a 150 gal. 72x18x28 ) any information would be very helpful.