Best UVB light and fixture for 120 gallon tank

[ekgep92]

Hey everyone,

What are your recommendations for a 120 gallon tank UVB fixture and tube light? I am trying to replace mine and wanted to see what your thoughts were. I keep his UVB inside the tank, so I know he needs a T8, but it has been difficult to find a bulb that will fit my fixture and I need to replace it.

 

[Hobama]

Hey everyone,

What are your recommendations for a 120 gallon tank UVB fixture and tube light? I am trying to replace mine and wanted to see what your thoughts were. I keep his UVB inside the tank, so I know he needs a T8, but it has been difficult to find a bulb that will fit my fixture and I need to replace it.

I personally use a zoo med reptisun terrarium hood with the 36 inch t8 tube bulb however from what i know despite having it in the cage t5s are still recommended. I plan on making the switch to a t5 because i think its stronger and better quality but im not positive. I'm not a professional especially not with lighting but ive gotten a lot of help from karrie ree (i am unsure on how to tag her)

 

[ekgep92]

I personally use a zoo med reptisun terrarium hood with the 36 inch t8 tube bulb however from what i know despite having it in the cage t5s are still recommended. I plan on making the switch to a t5 because i think its stronger and better quality but im not positive. I'm not a professional especially not with lighting but ive gotten a lot of help from karrie ree (i am unsure on how to tag her)

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I have been researching them, but the Arcadia 36 inch tube keeps going out of stock so I figured I'd try something else. Would you mount the T5 inside the tank? I wasn't 100% sure and didn't want to buy in case it would be too much inside the tank. We don't have any reptile shops around and it is hit or miss asking advice in Pet Smart.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I have been researching them, but the Arcadia 36 inch tube keeps going out of stock so I figured I'd try something else. Would you mount the T5 inside the tank? I wasn't 100% sure and didn't want to buy in case it would be too much inside the tank. We don't have any reptile shops around and it is hit or miss asking advice in Pet Smart.

There are 3 UVB's recommended here -- here are some links to them I use a 24" fixture for my 120 gallon tank -- you dont want the length of the tank
24" fixture Zoo Med comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you want a Retpisun 10.0 T 5

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO - Hight Output Linear Lamp for desert reptile terrariums. Shop all lighting supplies at Pangea Reptile

www.pangeareptile.com

you can try Pet Smart for this one if you have one in your area
Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit | reptile Light Fixtures | PetSmart you want the 12% bulb
or this one you will need to change the bulb out to the one posted above and you want the 2 ft or 24"

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp

Buy the SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp at Hydrobuilder.com. Shop the entire line of SunBlaster products along with thousands of hydroponics supplies on sale now.

hydrobuilder.com

 

[Hobama]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I have been researching them, but the Arcadia 36 inch tube keeps going out of stock so I figured I'd try something else. Would you mount the T5 inside the tank? I wasn't 100% sure and didn't want to buy in case it would be too much inside the tank. We don't have any reptile shops around and it is hit or miss asking advice in Pet Smart.

If the uvb can sit around 12 inches from the basking spot then a t5 10.0 uvb should be ok to be mounted inside. I've never personally worked with t5 before though so if I were you I would look up the recommended distances for bearded dragons between the t5s and t8s before making a final decision

 

[xp29]

It's best to give them a gradient on uvb also. Set up their uvb so they can get as close as 6-7 inches and as far as 12-15 (t5 bulb) and they will pick what they need. With a t8 i wouldn't give more then 8-9 inches, the bulbs are not as strong as a t5.

 

[Claudiusx]

Moved by Moderator from Advanced Discussion to Enclosures

 

[ekgep92]

There are 3 UVB's recommended here -- here are some links to them I use a 24" fixture for my 120 gallon tank -- you dont want the length of the tank
24" fixture Zoo Med comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you want a Retpisun 10.0 T 5

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO - Hight Output Linear Lamp for desert reptile terrariums. Shop all lighting supplies at Pangea Reptile

www.pangeareptile.com

you can try Pet Smart for this one if you have one in your area
Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit | reptile Light Fixtures | PetSmart you want the 12% bulb
or this one you will need to change the bulb out to the one posted above and you want the 2 ft or 24"

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp

Buy the SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp at Hydrobuilder.com. Shop the entire line of SunBlaster products along with thousands of hydroponics supplies on sale now.

hydrobuilder.com

Thank you so much for these recommendations! I will go purchase one today. I just wanted to make sure I didn't buy the wrong UVB light. And good to know it should not span the whole tank!

 

[ekgep92]

It's best to give them a gradient on uvb also. Set up their uvb so they can get as close as 6-7 inches and as far as 12-15 (t5 bulb) and they will pick what they need. With a t8 i wouldn't give more then 8-9 inches, the bulbs are not as strong as a t5.

Perfect that is good to know I tried to place everything in a way that gives him different surface levels to climb and bask on but I am glad you told me about the differences in T5 and T8 distances

 

[xp29]

Your welcome