Still confused about bulbs

[seahawksfan_74]

I have read a lot of posts about lighting and I feel very confused. I have a 2' tall vivarium, with a two bulb canpoy. I have 2 - 26 watt GE daylight spiral CFL bulbs. I think I want to use at least one of these bulbs, then with the second spot do I want to use a second bulb with a different kelvin temp or just the other daylight? I want to use the vivarium for RETF eventually so should I rewire the second spot for a ceramic heater or a red bulb? I am so confused. Before I get the frogs what is best for my plants? Any and all comments are welcome.

[beckdg]

if you are not looking to grow veggies then those bulbs should be fine. the ge spirals are great for growing and with the little ambient light you'll get from most rooms should be more than enough for most plants that can fit in a viv. the other light spectrums that can be used are good for flowering, fruiting, budding, etc. and should not be necessary. the reason they are used in hydroponics are to keep the plants from growing any bigger and start them fruiting better. the grow bulbs are taken off of the plants once they are optimum size for sweetest/most fruit production and they are put under the redder spectrums that don't promote growth. i don't think fruiting/budding are even viable concerns for plants in a normal size viv so you pretty much got what you need for them already.

i would rewire the second spot to run separately if you do not want to put another hood/fixture on there. that way you can put your light on separately from your heat. the little buggers still need to be somewhat warm at night. then you could consider timers for your ge bulb and dimmers/thermostats/controllers for your heat source. i am an extreme advocate of ceramic heaters due to my experiences, but if you want to use a red bulb that's o.k. also. i just would NEVER buy a red bulb from a pet store.

the 26 watters are replacements for 100 watt incandescents so 1 should provide enough light for most plants in a small area like a viv. the only thing is i'd make sure i don't put anything that needs full sun under another plant that will suffocate it from the light... it's alot easier than it sounds as most plants you'd consider to put on the bottom don't need more than they'll get anyway.