clf and nems

[rale2001]

I have a 35 gal tank 19" 7 mons old now I want to go ahead and order a gbta and a rbta for my true pec pair but I havnt upgraded my lighting yet. I have 3 T8 florencents fixtures with 20 watt 18000k daylight a 24 watt 50/50 bulb and a 24 watt actinic blue 420 bulb no reflectors is my lighting enough for the two nems??

 

[phoenixstar89]

probably not for them to grow and do well. I'd suggest going with some t-5's or metal halide. the t-8's don't penetrate very well and while the nems might live under them, they'd never really thrive.

 

[doryrocks]

Not for the long-term, but it should be alright until you upgrade. Keep the nems at the top of the talk when they come in.

 

[rale2001]

What if I placed some diy reflectors on there would that still double the wattages?? Is it the watts that determines the penetration for the nems or the color??

 

[garygb]

T-5s would be fine, but T-8s, as others have mentioned don't penetrate and aren't as intense. Individual reflectors helps with penetration because the light is directed downward and not broadcast. Even with T5s I would suggest you get individual reflectors. A four bulb fixture should be fine for RBTAs.