Are my UVB lighting distances ok?

[DragonFrenchy]

I have a few lighting questions. I got 2 bearded dragons this month and 2 Vivexotic Viva Vivarium, 45" x 19" x 17" each.

1st enclosure is for Hutchi, a 4 years old rescue male. I have a reptiGlow 10 42inch in it. I didnt know it wasn't that good when I bought it so I am planning on changing it when time comes to change the tube in a few months. But for now:
First question: Is the ReptiGlow 10 too close from any of the platforms? Should I move it toward the front/middle? I usually have aluminum foil to reflect above it too.
Second question: Can I add a GreenSun aquarium led light that i already have here for extra lighting for now?

Second enclosure is for Heidi my 2.5 month baby girl. She is presently in a 25 gallon but I will move her to her bigger terrarium in the next week. I got a ReptiSun 10 T5 34inch and a sunblaster NanoTech reflector for her but after doing some research on here and other sites, I worried it might be too strong for the available distance.
3rd question: Is the ReptiSun 10 T5 would be at a safe distance from the basking area if I fix it toward the front of the terrarium? The tube in the back would be way too close if it's a t5 correct?
4th question Since I can't get the ReptiSun 10 t5 any farther than 12 inches, should I removed the reflector to lower the light intensity?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[CooperDragon]

A T5 with reflector is just right at 12''. Since you have it mounted to the front it will create a nice gradient with more intense UVB directly below the bulb. I would use this in both setups if you can. The T8 is only effective at about 6-8'' with a reflector. Much less without one. Foil is better than nothing but isn't polished enough to work all that well as a reflector. You can add an LED for additional lighting, but I would stick with daylight LEDs that have a broad spectrum so they don't make things look distorted to your dragon.

 

[DragonFrenchy]

A T5 with reflector is just right at 12''. Since you have it mounted to the front it will create a nice gradient with more intense UVB directly below the bulb. I would use this in both setups if you can. The T8 is only effective at about 6-8'' with a reflector. Much less without one. Foil is better than nothing but isn't polished enough to work all that well as a reflector. You can add an LED for additional lighting, but I would stick with daylight LEDs that have a broad spectrum so they don't make things look distorted to your dragon.

Perfect thank you so much. I'll be setting up Heidi's enclosure with the T5 this weekend.

I think I wont put the LED light after all since the back ReptiGlo setting in Hutchi's enclosure is temporary and the T5 seem more than enough light when I test it. Definitely getting a second T5 setting soon. I wish I knew better when I got the ReptiGlo light a few weeks ago. ReptiGlo is all they have in the stores here so all new reptiles owner that don't know better will get that lower quality lighting.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The T5 tubes are very nice & bright. That distance will be really good also how you have it
mounted. The Reptiglo tubes are ok, but definitely not as good as the Reptisun 10's or the
T5 bulbs.
They are both lucky dragons!

Tracie

 

[kingofnobbys]

A T5 with reflector is just right at 12''. Since you have it mounted to the front it will create a nice gradient with more intense UVB directly below the bulb. I would use this in both setups if you can. The T8 is only effective at about 6-8'' with a reflector. Much less without one. Foil is better than nothing but isn't polished enough to work all that well as a reflector. You can add an LED for additional lighting, but I would stick with daylight LEDs that have a broad spectrum so they don't make things look distorted to your dragon.

Perfect thank you so much. I'll be setting up Heidi's enclosure with the T5 this weekend.

I think I wont put the LED light after all since the back ReptiGlo setting in Hutchi's enclosure is temporary and the T5 seem more than enough light when I test it. Definitely getting a second T5 setting soon. I wish I knew better when I got the ReptiGlo light a few weeks ago. ReptiGlo is all they have in the stores here so all new reptiles owner that don't know better will get that lower quality lighting.

Where's your location ?

Most of us buy our gear (and insects) online by mailorder. Some of buy gear from overseas where this is likely cheaper and quicker than local vendors.

My guide to setting lighting : viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611

I'd simply go to Amazon or Ebay and find a mailorder seller who has Arcadia T5ho 12% tubes and buy 4 of these , so you have 2 spares , this will keep you going for 2 years , Arcadia's T5HO tubes are good for over 12 months (perhaps longer if you have a Solarmeter and can monitor the UVB output.

There are slip on reflectors available for T8 and T5HO tubes , see this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcadia-Linear-Fluorescent-Tube-Reflectors-Clip-On-T5-or-T8-Reptile-Aquatic-/171194079622

 

[DragonFrenchy]

Hello,

The T5 tubes are very nice & bright. That distance will be really good also how you have it
mounted. The Reptiglo tubes are ok, but definitely not as good as the Reptisun 10's or the
T5 bulbs.
They are both lucky dragons!

Tracie

Great thanks Tracie.

 

[DragonFrenchy]

Where's your location ?

Most of us buy our gear (and insects) online by mailorder. Some of buy gear from overseas where this is likely cheaper and quicker than local vendors.

My guide to setting lighting : viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611

I'd simply go to Amazon or Ebay and find a mailorder seller who has Arcadia T5ho 12% tubes and buy 4 of these , so you have 2 spares , this will keep you going for 2 years , Arcadia's T5HO tubes are good for over 12 months (perhaps longer if you have a Solarmeter and can monitor the UVB output.

There are slip on reflectors available for T8 and T5HO tubes , see this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcadia-Linear-Fluorescent-Tube-Reflectors-Clip-On-T5-or-T8-Reptile-Aquatic-/171194079622

Great lighting graphics you got there thanks. That should be a sticky one. I thought the Arcadia T5 was stronger and needed a greater distance than the ReptiSun T5? The ReptiSun is good for only 6 months correct? I read so much mix info on websites it's confusing. That's why I registered here lol.

I am located in Quebec,Canada. I do buy a lot of my stuff online on amazon or BigAlsPets. But unless I buy enough for free shipping it's usually cheaper in person.

For the insects online, the best I've found for 1000 crickets is $49.51 with tax/shipping and at the store it's 41.39 with tax.

Shipping often kills the deal in Canada. Special from other countries as they can slam you with custom tax for anything over $20.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Where's your location ?

Most of us buy our gear (and insects) online by mailorder. Some of buy gear from overseas where this is likely cheaper and quicker than local vendors.

My guide to setting lighting : viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611

I'd simply go to Amazon or Ebay and find a mailorder seller who has Arcadia T5ho 12% tubes and buy 4 of these , so you have 2 spares , this will keep you going for 2 years , Arcadia's T5HO tubes are good for over 12 months (perhaps longer if you have a Solarmeter and can monitor the UVB output.

There are slip on reflectors available for T8 and T5HO tubes , see this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcadia-Linear-Fluorescent-Tube-Reflectors-Clip-On-T5-or-T8-Reptile-Aquatic-/171194079622

Great lighting graphics you got there thanks. That should be a sticky one. I thought the Arcadia T5 was stronger and needed a greater distance than the ReptiSun T5? The ReptiSun is good for only 6 months correct? I read so much mix info on websites it's confusing. That's why I registered here lol.

>>> not sure about the Reptisun T5ho 10% as a tube …. but there have been issues with these over the last year or so - decaying MUCH faster than they did in the past - there was a manufacturer change and poorer quality phosphors used that decay too fast. You will be lucky to get 6 months before the Zoomed T5ho 10%UVB's UVB & UVA outputs decay to under 1/2 their rated level
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=236122&p=1815225#p1815225
I've seen nothing that indicates they have recalled the dodgey T5HO tubes or upped their ante wrt quality of the phosphors they are using, been very silent on the matter.

>>> the 12% UVB is essentially 1.2x strong than the 10% but the Arcadia T5HO tubes are made very well and have a longer life. Essentially if you need a tube to basking spot distance of 12" for a brand new 10% T5ho , you will need the distance to be 1.2 x 12" for the 12%UVB t5ho.


I am located in Quebec,Canada. I do buy a lot of my stuff online on amazon or BigAlsPets. But unless I buy enough for free shipping it's usually cheaper in person.

For the insects online, the best I've found for 1000 crickets is $49.51 with tax/shipping and at the store it's 41.39 with tax.

Shipping often kills the deal in Canada. Special from other countries as they can slam you with custom tax for anything over $20.

 

[DragonFrenchy]

>>> the 12% UVB is essentially 1.2x strong than the 10% but the Arcadia T5HO tubes are made very well and have a longer life. Essentially if you need a tube to basking spot distance of 12" for a brand new 10% T5ho , you will need the distance to be 1.2 x 12" for the 12%UVB t5ho.[/color]

1.2 x 12 would be 14.4. Since I can't get the light any farther, wouldn't that be too strong in my tank at 12"? Definitely want to go with whatever is best.