Pick one - T5 HO 10.0 or T8 10.0

I currently have a t8 10.0 but I've been seeing that it has to be mounted inside. I also noticed people like the t5 HO 10.0 due to out put levels and can be top mounted.

What would you use for this 1 month old in his 40 gallon breeder?

I would invest in the T 5 and depending on the screen it can sit on top but it MUST be a wide holed type screen -- how are you taking basking temps? They need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stickons please -- basking temps should be 105-110 for a baby --- and its good you are doing research on the UVB's -- if you place the T 8 in the tank it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor and NO obstruction meaning NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- the T 5 has certain distance depending on the placement of the fixture

KarrieRee":qvmheny5 said:

I would invest in the T 5 and depending on the screen it can sit on top but it MUST be a wide holed type screen -- how are you taking basking temps? They need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stickons please -- basking temps should be 105-110 for a baby --- and its good you are doing research on the UVB's -- if you place the T 8 in the tank it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor and NO obstruction meaning NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- the T 5 has certain distance depending on the placement of the fixture

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I have a probe digi that suctions on the side. Max temp gets to 100 on the side of the tank. Can I use the probe to check the basking area? And I have a 100w bulb with a 75w che.
Should I get a 150w basking bulb to make up for the 10° difference or higher che? I have a screen lid. It's the Thrive 40 gallon easy clean.

My t8 is about 6 inches away on top of the mesh. In a 20inch thrive strip.

Accurate temps probe needs to sit on basking spot your getting ambient temps- the T 8 needs to go inside tank - the screen is blocking 30% of those rays-- before you do anything w/ the basking bulb get a accurate temp please go from there-- you should not need a che to get basking temps- your basking bulb needs to do that

KarrieRee":35skx2f6 said:

Accurate temps probe needs to sit on basking spot your getting ambient temps- the T 8 needs to go inside tank - the screen is blocking 30% of those rays-- before you do anything w/ the basking bulb get a accurate temp please go from there-- you should not need a che to get basking temps- your basking bulb needs to do that

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I've just seen where 100ws are good enough for 40 gallons but for whatever reason that's not the case for me. I wonder what I am doing wrong.. Any tips?

So if I get the t5 ho 10.0 and put it on the screen I should be good with that at least?

KarrieRee":3uava1zq said:

I would invest in the T 5 and depending on the screen it can sit on top but it MUST be a wide holed type screen -- how are you taking basking temps? They need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stickons please -- basking temps should be 105-110 for a baby --- and its good you are doing research on the UVB's -- if you place the T 8 in the tank it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor and NO obstruction meaning NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- the T 5 has certain distance depending on the placement of the fixture

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Should I upgrade my strip dome to the repisun t5 as well? Vs my thrive.

The zoo Med is a better fixture if the screen is wide holed you can have the T 5 on top- also the T 5 bulb will not go into a T 8 fixture-- the T 5 is a skinner bulb--- I would recommend the zoo med fixture and the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb they are a stronger bulb and need to be changed out once a year I recommend a month prior to- the T 8 needs to be changed out every 6 months a month prior to- is the one you posted a 24" I can't see it too blurry-also that fixture comes w/ a 5.0 bulb which is similar to the T8 your using now - so you need to also order the bulb I recommended

KarrieRee":2pixcwzf said:

The zoo Med is a better fixture if the screen is wide holed you can have the T 5 on top- also the T 5 bulb will not go into a T 8 fixture-- the T 5 is a skinner bulb--- I would recommend the zoo med fixture and the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb they are a stronger bulb and need to be changed out once a year I recommend a month prior to- the T 8 needs to be changed out every 6 months a month prior to- is the one you posted a 24" I can't see it too blurry-

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Yeah I read that part about t5 with t5 and t8 with t8.
It's a 20 inch. Should I get a 24?
I will go get that stuff tomorrow. I'll return my thrive stuff.

Return the thrive but you will probably haft to order on line try www.pangeareptiles.com I don't know if they have the 24" in stock they sell out fast along w/ the 10.0 bulb if they are out try www.petmountain.com-- most pet stores usually carry only the T 8's and fixtures 18 and 20" but the stuff I recommended is better quality

KarrieRee":1kvxkw6q said:

Return the thrive but you will probably haft to order on line try http://www.pangeareptiles.com I don't know if they have the 24" in stock they sell out fast along w/ the 10.0 bulb if they are out try http://www.petmountain.com-- most pet stores usually carry only the T 8's and fixtures 18 and 20" but the stuff I recommended is better quality

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Ordered a 24inch and 22inch light. I found them on Amazon.

Ok so when it comes in place it inside if your screen is fine mesh distance 12-15 inches directly above your basking decor - change the bulb out in 1 year I usually change mine out a month prior- if you need things to hang the fixture let me know I will post some for you

KarrieRee":xmg9rxqq said:

Ok so when it comes in place it inside if your screen is fine mesh distance 12-15 inches directly above your basking decor - change the bulb out in 1 year I usually change mine out a month prior- if you need things to hang the fixture let me know I will post some for you

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Is 12-15 maximum? Or would it be fine on the mesh at 6inches from basking spot? I have a hammock I can hang up to make him closer too. He just doesn't seem to use it.
I will definitely come back on here for more info from you and everyone! So far this site has been a god send.

No it blocks too much uvb for a fine mesh- you can always buy a wide holed screen then the basking decor would need to be 8-10 directly under the basking decor

KarrieRee":2cnofzxt said:

No it blocks too much uvb for a fine mesh- you can always buy a wide holed screen then the basking decor would need to be 8-10 directly under the basking decor

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So one of these? Normal messes? It came up when I looked up wide mesh screen.