Its coming that time to start replacing bulbs and I hear that arcadia (now available in the US) is all the rave as being the best bulb... as a beardie owner I am on a mission to get them the best I can.
which is better to get, T8 or T5? Im opting for T5 but since I have little experience when it comes to this, I need advice before I drop the cash to invest in all of this. They are currently on Mega Rays, which I ADORE, but ofcourse theyve been on back order for months and I just cant hold out on them much longer. Im not pleased to be switching to multiple bulbs but if thats what I have to do then so be it.
when I install the new bulbs they will be in much larger enclosures measuring 6x2x2 so I also need suggestions on what length to get. Im assuming the 48" is what I need, which will still allow 2 feet of "shade", but since I dont deal with linear tubes Im not sure how that works. I am also not sure how far away they need to be with THESE particular bulbs... is 12" too close? I also read on a couple threads that if I get the T5 12% I should NOT get reflectors since I will need to place the thing about 3 feet from my beardies lol, so where can I find a balast that will be appropriate? I was looking to buy this: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/46t5hofihouw1.html
but it states "This unit has a great reflector build in... So there is no need to buy an add on reflector". will this not be appropriate, then? I want to set a full spectrum bulb alongside it but how hard is it going to be to find T5 bulbs? worst case, I can buy another ballast for the naturesun full spectrum, but thats not ideal
which is better to get, T8 or T5? Im opting for T5 but since I have little experience when it comes to this, I need advice before I drop the cash to invest in all of this. They are currently on Mega Rays, which I ADORE, but ofcourse theyve been on back order for months and I just cant hold out on them much longer. Im not pleased to be switching to multiple bulbs but if thats what I have to do then so be it.
when I install the new bulbs they will be in much larger enclosures measuring 6x2x2 so I also need suggestions on what length to get. Im assuming the 48" is what I need, which will still allow 2 feet of "shade", but since I dont deal with linear tubes Im not sure how that works. I am also not sure how far away they need to be with THESE particular bulbs... is 12" too close? I also read on a couple threads that if I get the T5 12% I should NOT get reflectors since I will need to place the thing about 3 feet from my beardies lol, so where can I find a balast that will be appropriate? I was looking to buy this: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/46t5hofihouw1.html
but it states "This unit has a great reflector build in... So there is no need to buy an add on reflector". will this not be appropriate, then? I want to set a full spectrum bulb alongside it but how hard is it going to be to find T5 bulbs? worst case, I can buy another ballast for the naturesun full spectrum, but thats not ideal