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.