Best UVB set up

[dracospike]

SO I have been out searching for a tube UVB set up and wow the decisions are hard. I know I need the Reptisun 10.0 and I am aware that price wise they are going to be close no matter where I get it from. My question is about the hood fixture, is there a cheaper way to go than the Reptisun hood terrarium? I have a 40 gallon tank and am looking for a 36" fixture. Most of the ones I have found in that length are running about $45. Also with the screen top how exactly to I mount the fixture in the tank? I work in a school and now that school is out for the summer I am in the "barely any money coming in" stage. I would really like to get something in place ASAP since I have read that the coil lights are not very good. I feel like I have a really good set up Draco at this point other than the UVB light.

 

[dracospike]

Ok of course I thought of more questions once I posted! Is there an option for lights that have UVB and heat? I hate having all the domes on top of the screen as it makes for a pain when cleaning up and feeding.

What is the best site for supplies price wise?

 

[Claudiusx]

You can buy fluorescent fixtures at most any home improvement store, even walmart has them.
The under-counter fixtures are what a lot here use as they are easy to mount in the tank.

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

So it can be just any florescent fixture? there are no concerns safety wise with it being able to handle the Reptisun bulb? I am somewhat of a worrier and tend to be slightly obsessive about things which is why it has taken me so long to switch to the tube lighting. It took me three weeks to make a decision on where to get my crickets from. Sad but true fact!!

 

[Claudiusx]

As long as the fixture is a T8 sized fixture (the size of the reptisun bulb, T8) then it will be fine. If it will put your mind at ease, you can go with a specialty "reptile" fixture, but all these are really are normal fixtures with a reflector in them and a picture of a reptile on the box.

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

OK I am a little slow so here is a silly question. By fits the light do you mean length wise?

 

[Claudiusx]

Well, you do want it to fit length wise, but I was not referring to that.

Just like other bulbs, flourescents have sizes to let you know which fixtures they can be placed in; such as t8, t5, t12, etc. As long as your using a t8 bulb in a t8 fixture, or a t5 bulb in a t5 fixture, then all you have to make sure is that your bulb length is the correct size for that fixture.

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

So if I walk in to a home improvement store and tell them I need a T8 under cabinet light fixture they should be able to help me? Sorry to be a pain but this is my obsessive tendencies showing.

 

[Claudiusx]

They sure should! And if they look at you funny and say "what?" Then say "nothing." and find a new person to ask. LOL! :mrgreen: Do you know what length reptisun bulb you are going to buy?

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

Not sure what size. I would like it to fit length wise as much as possible. Figures I needed to find the fixture first but now thinking I am going to get the bulb and go from there.

 

[Claudiusx]

Ideally, you want the bulb to run 3/4ths the length of your tank as a general guideline. You don't have to be strict on the 3/4ths mark, but ballpark is ideal.

Reptisuns only come in certain lengths. What size tank do you have right now?

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

I have a 40 gallon tank and it measures 36" long. I would prefer a 36" bulb but if I can not find a fixture that length I will have to go with the 24" bulb

 

[Claudiusx]

I would recommend the 24 inch bulb. You do want there to be space (the cool side) where the dragon isn't directly in the line of the uvb bulb.

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

That helps. Draco is weird because he never goes on his cool side.

 

[Claudiusx]

He might like the hot side the best, or it might not be hot enough for him on the hot side. Do you know your temperatures?

-Brandon