So I just got the T5 reptisun 5.0 with the Slimline hood from reptisun, my lid to my Viv is not flat because it has a screen in the middle about 3/4 of the top and the rest is plastic, I used high strength Velcro to mount the light but since I couldn't mount it flat to the lid I mounted it to the side of the Viv glass where the light is shining horizontal at the top, I read just now that it says it must be mounted over head directly, I have seen others mount the light to the side glass but I wanted to get opinions on if this is safe or not. If not I'll have to drill into the top and run zip ties to mount it, thanks for any info.
I'm not at home so I can't get a pic of it but I have older pics and I'll just doodle on it to show what I'm talking about lol this is what I had before and you can see the lid under side
This is where I mounted it and it has a reflector, the white is the tube and it's shining horizontally where the huge up on the basking spot the more the uvb, but my dragon would be looking into it if he looks over at me.
With a reflector if it's pointing downward and is over the basking area it should be OK. The 5.0 should sit 6-8'' above the basking area. Alternatively you could try suspending the fixture from the mesh top using some thin picture frame wire. Easier done if your fixture has clips on the top but you could wrap the wire around the whole fixture to create a cradle. You could also swap the 5.0 bulb for a 10.0/12% bulb instead which would be adequate at 10-12'' even shining through a mesh top so it could go on the outside.