18" vs 24"

[Visionist]

I've got a 4ft tank and I would like to have a 24" but can't seem to find a fixture for one around here, I'm wondering if a 18" would suffice or if I should try my best to get the 24"
Thanks.

 

[midmichicer]

36" is better yet, but 24" would be min to me. Home depot, lowes, and store has them. Make sure you get a T8 though.

 

[Visionist]

36" is better yet, but 24" would be min to me. Home depot, lowes, and store has them. Make sure you get a T8 though.

On Home depot canada I can't find a t8, only t5 on their website. And even that is way overpriced. I'll be going there today anyways, hopefully they have a 24" t8.

 

[cook]

18 is fine if your beardy stays in one area most of the day. just make sure he can get within 12 inches of it.

 

[xZippyx]

I kinda have the same question, i just purchased a 4 1/2 ft viv as my girl has got to the point where she has out grown her 3ft, so i'm thinking 48" bulb or would 2x24" smaller be better?

 

[tempusfugit]

I kinda have the same question, i just purchased a 4 1/2 ft viv as my girl has got to the point where she has out grown her 3ft, so i'm thinking 48" bulb or would 2x24" smaller be better?

I've always heard you want it to be 2/3 the length of the tank, and 36 is exactly 2/3 of 54 inches

 

[kevindeeley12]

If you have a 48"ish enclosure you should try getting a 48" bulb. That way no matter where the beardie is he/she will be getting the rays from it. For that size of a tank I wouldn't go lower than a 36" bulb though, unless you absolutely cannot get a 36" or 48" bulb and fixture.

 

[Visionist]

If you have a 48"ish enclosure you should try getting a 48" bulb. That way no matter where the beardie is he/she will be getting the rays from it. For that size of a tank I wouldn't go lower than a 36" bulb though, unless you absolutely cannot get a 36" or 48" bulb and fixture.

I've already got a 24" fixture and am waiting on a bulb in the mail. A 36"+ would cost an ungodly amount to get shipped here so it's really not worth it when a 24" is sufficient enough.

 

[kevindeeley12]

Fair enough.

 

[kjinxx2]

If you have a 48"ish enclosure you should try getting a 48" bulb. That way no matter where the beardie is he/she will be getting the rays from it. For that size of a tank I wouldn't go lower than a 36" bulb though, unless you absolutely cannot get a 36" or 48" bulb and fixture.

The problem with this is that if you get a 48" bulb it will not fit in the tank, making it challenging to get the beardie within the 6"-8" that it needs to be to get correct amounts of UVB. Also if it isn't in the tank, more than likely it is above the screen, which filters out a drastic amount of UVB rays.

 

[xZippyx]

I should be ok, my viv is 54" so gives me 3" either side.

Cheers for the replies