Being that it seems like I'm getting feedback that T5s are vastly superior to T8, I'm revisiting which to actually go with.KarrieRee":1j2t2926 said:That to me is mesh--- and it would block 30% of the T 8's rays --- it needs to go inside the tank if that is what your trying to determine
Karrie
WinFam01":2u1xv9cm said:Let's see if this shows it well enough - I lifted up the access flap to get a shot straight through, and the 2nd is a shot of it from straight above. A 100 watt basking bulb would not get the top of the basking decor (any 6-7 in. away) past 95, we had to go to a 150.SandP":2u1xv9cm said:Can you show us a pic of the screen? In most cases it should be fine sitting on top.
I know a T8 has to be inside, but I wasn't sure that it was as good as a T5, so your explanation helps, thanks.Claudiusx":zvaes696 said:The t5 is no different than the t8 besides the effective distance. Using the T8 at the proper distance will accomplish just the same as using the T5 at the right distance. You use whatever works best for your setup.
-Brandon
kingofnobbys":3mkwxk8q said:OK , you've put up images of the perforated metal or plastic screen (lid), this will help you calculate your shade factor based on the measurements and hole layout
https://www.perforated-sheet.com/calculation/how-to-calculate-open-area.html
calc the OPEN AREA , % SHADE FACTOR = (100 - % OPEN AREA)
I've checked an enlarged view of the image you provided , is a 60deg hole pitch mesh , and I got a very poor open area about 18% this means that screen will block over 80% of the UV if you have ANY UV source mounted on top .
You can easily check using a see through plastic ruler ( +/- a mm ) or using a Vernier caliper to get accurate measurements ( I used a ruler to measure against my computer screen , took a few seconds )
So for instance an Arcadia t5ho 12% tube in a good quality reflector put on top will have the UVB flux dropped from 200 microW UVB / sq.cm to 40 microW UVB / sq.cm at the same distance of 30cm.
Or to get the correct level of UV (A & B) , your dragon will need to be able to get within 2 inches of the lid if you insist on putting a typical t5ho 10% to 12% UVB tube and reflector hood ONTOP OF THAT MESH.
MY ADVICE = hang the UVB tube and reflector / reflector hood UNDER IT , else your dragon might as well have zero UV and will get sick.
KarrieRee":1hj9drr8 said:T 5 distance should be 12-15 inches from decor piece inside the tank -
Karrie
Don't be so sure unless you measure it yourself.WinFam01":3ax82p8g said:Thank you for the calculation! That's just what I was afraid of, that it blocked more than a regular mesh type screen.
Now that that is established...I do not insist on putting a hood on top. ?
This might be a silly question, but do the measurements from bulb to surface top need to be straight down, or is it also accurate at a diagonal?Claudiusx":1eqbu1ie said:Don't be so sure unless you measure it yourself.WinFam01":1eqbu1ie said:Thank you for the calculation! That's just what I was afraid of, that it blocked more than a regular mesh type screen.
Now that that is established...I do not insist on putting a hood on top. ?
I measured one of those types of lids a few months back using the calculator I linked you to and I came out with only 31% blockage. And this was using some decently precise calipers.
Either way, if you don't have the 12-15 inch distance in your tank for the t5, you'll want to either go with the T8 mounted inside, or you need to find someone with decent calipers so you can measure your screen, and see how much it blocks. That way you can mount the T5 ontop of the screen, and move your basking site to whatever distance it needs to be (based off of how much you calculate the screen to block.) You could buy your own decent calipers, but for a bit more you would be able to just buy a solarmeter and not worry about measuring your screen lol.
I'd be leary of any good quality calipers less than 100 bucks.
-Brandon
WinFam01":29kjyyil said:This might be a silly question, but do the measurements from bulb to surface top need to be straight down, or is it also accurate at a diagonal?Claudiusx":29kjyyil said:Don't be so sure unless you measure it yourself.WinFam01":29kjyyil said:Thank you for the calculation! That's just what I was afraid of, that it blocked more than a regular mesh type screen.
Now that that is established...I do not insist on putting a hood on top. ?
I measured one of those types of lids a few months back using the calculator I linked you to and I came out with only 31% blockage. And this was using some decently precise calipers.
Either way, if you don't have the 12-15 inch distance in your tank for the t5, you'll want to either go with the T8 mounted inside, or you need to find someone with decent calipers so you can measure your screen, and see how much it blocks. That way you can mount the T5 ontop of the screen, and move your basking site to whatever distance it needs to be (based off of how much you calculate the screen to block.) You could buy your own decent calipers, but for a bit more you would be able to just buy a solarmeter and not worry about measuring your screen lol.
I'd be leary of any good quality calipers less than 100 bucks.
-Brandon