planted tank set up help..

[luke-ns]

OK so I have got a tank which is 48x12x18 lxwxh (inch) i think its around 50g but currently i have a custom build hood which has one t8 38watt tropical plant light which im guessing is around 6500k.. this was used only for light not for to grow plants but now i want to grow plants and iv upgraded to 2 t8 units so now i can have 2 38watt bulbs. Instead of me spending £30 on each bulb for brands i can buy http://www.thelightbulb.co.uk/product/Fluorescent-Tubes/Full-Spectrum-Daylight-/36watt-4ft-ActiViva-880-8000K-T8/i-5133

will two of these work?
thanks in advance :)

Forgot to add it will be a low tech planted tank and will be growing low demanding plants :)

[talldutchie]

8000k of that type will produce a very cold light, ugly imo. http://www.thelightbulb.co.uk/product/Fluorescent-Tubes/Full-Spectrum-Daylight-/36watt-4ft-Activa-172-6500K-T8/i-2856 will look so much better.

Even with two it's still going to be low light.

[luke-ns]

so if i keep my original tropical light and get the one you suggested it will be strong enough to penetrate down into my water? my lights are about 4" from the water so i was thinking 8000k instead of 6500k but im sure your much more experienced than i am so if you think your suggested and my current one will be fine then thats what i will get :)

[talldutchie]

1500k isn't going to make a stellar difference in penetration but it will look quite a bit different.