from what iv read this is not nearly enough light for a NEM, also yes nems are in shallow water and this would just mean that they require even more lighting then ones found in deeper water. 10,000k is just the color temp of the bulb and has little to do with its light output. I would not keep a Nem in a tank without a light. If you look on Liveaquaria they state it needs high light and with one t8 bulb you have low light at most.