Hi All,
So I've constructed a new terrarium, 4' long x 2' deep x 2' high. It's lit by six 40W flourescent bulbs (the bulbs themselves are pretty old; will gradually upgrade to new T8s soon) and fully Mylar-ed. Here's the question... my Maxima, Ventrata, Ventricosa and Gracilis are currently living in a sunroom which is ironically largely shaded by a tree so they get maybe an hour of very gentle first-morning light and indirect light otherwise. They're healthy, pitchering and nicely colored, etc., but not extremely vigorous. My original intent was to just put 'em in the fully operational terrarium and not worry about the perhaps increased intensity of six fluor. tubes (especially since they're old; I'm under the impression that fluorescent bulbs lose lumen output with age), but now I'm second-guessing myself. Should I use, say, two bulbs for a week, four the next and then six after another? I'd hate to shock the neps any more than I have to with the move and all. Any input? Am I a hopeless worrier?
So I've constructed a new terrarium, 4' long x 2' deep x 2' high. It's lit by six 40W flourescent bulbs (the bulbs themselves are pretty old; will gradually upgrade to new T8s soon) and fully Mylar-ed. Here's the question... my Maxima, Ventrata, Ventricosa and Gracilis are currently living in a sunroom which is ironically largely shaded by a tree so they get maybe an hour of very gentle first-morning light and indirect light otherwise. They're healthy, pitchering and nicely colored, etc., but not extremely vigorous. My original intent was to just put 'em in the fully operational terrarium and not worry about the perhaps increased intensity of six fluor. tubes (especially since they're old; I'm under the impression that fluorescent bulbs lose lumen output with age), but now I'm second-guessing myself. Should I use, say, two bulbs for a week, four the next and then six after another? I'd hate to shock the neps any more than I have to with the move and all. Any input? Am I a hopeless worrier?