T5 Fixture and Bulb for 4' Habs

I've been trying to find a fixture for a T5 UV bulb to fit the Zen habitat enclosure I'll be getting. I know that the conventional wisdom is to have the UV run 2/3 the length of the enclosure. For a 4' enclosure, that's 32" - but I'm having some difficulty finding a T5 bulb that length; the closest I see on Amazon is a 30" and a 36" - and I'm having a hard time finding a fixture for either, unless I want to pay premium and get the ZooMed T5 fixture.

Which should I be aiming to pick up for my soon-to-be bigger and better enclosure... 30" or 36"? And could someone toss up some links to workable fixtures for the right size bulb? The only ones in the right size I see are these:

https://www.petmountain.com/product/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-high-output-terrarium-hood?variant=40654&gclid=Cj0KCQjwudb3BRC9ARIsAEa-vUtTpiINzjaF6IC8aWK8hWwDUjNvvDdU_ujqCuL_K3xh6X98RkkAUssaAi1hEALw_wcB

And if I go the T5 route... would it be okay sitting on top of the screen in a 4'x2'x2' enclosure? I really don't like the idea of hanging it under the screen with zip ties, and I've been told that attaching it to the back wall of the hab, like I have with my T8 fixture in the current hab, isn't the best placement for a UV bulb.

You will can get a 24" fixture --- I have 2 Zens and have the 24" fixture in the tanks --- w/ it being 24" high needs to go inside the tank - you can use 3 M velcro fasteners-- long zip ties--- fishing line -- picture wire hangers or potted plant hangers here is a pic of my tanks - I am using a very thin stainless wire that my husband got from work -- they are very bendable and have worked great
blazes tank - he currently is using a Arcadia 14% bulb that is why its strapped to the top
Hiccups tank -- he has the 12% bulb in his
Karrie

Ok, you lost me at the 14% and 12%... is that an Arcadia thing? I was thinking of going with the Reptisun T5 HO - is that a bad idea? I thought Reptisun was a good brand?

I use the 24 (22) inch versions in my 4x2x2s also. Best for a good gradient. Reptisun is fine. I've been using Arcadia lately though.

-Brandon

The 12% bulb Arcadia is equivalent to the Rep 10 T5 -- the 14 % is a real strong bulb for higher tanks like the 24" - that is why Blazes UVB is strapped to the top - the Arcadias are good bulbs -- I will be switching out Blazes 14% to the Reptisun 10 T5 in August I could not get the Arcadias here till today when pangea got them back in stock - currently Hiccup has a Arcadia 12 % in his tank --
Karrie

Ok, so if I don’t want to dangle my UV from the top of the enclosure, it sounds like an Arcadia 14% is my only option?

I suppose I could also go with the Zen that is only 16” high... I really don’t like the idea of a free-hanging fixture in the tank; it’s just not aesthetically pleasing...

I see --- the 14% is still going to need to go into the tank -- and your basking decor piece should be low you dont want a lot of height to it - ask Brandon and see what he says -- my rock on the top sits about 17-18 inches from the UVB -- that leaves 6" to the floor -- I have not had any issues w/ them not basking - they will move away out of it when they want to --
Karrie

How would this one be?


https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit.html

WinFam01":e3qqstzp said:

How would this one be?


https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit.html

Click to expand...

Yep, thank you - that would be the starter kit I would need, plus an extra bulb. I was hoping to find a less expensive fixture, but the price on that one is spot-on, since it includes a bulb.

Karrie, what sort of fixtures are you using in your Zens?

Both are zoo meds they came from pangeareptiles
Karrie

KarrieRee":r2090umz said:

Both are zoo meds they came from pangeareptiles
Karrie

Click to expand...

Thank you!