extra way to brighten enclosure?

[kbro]

I need someway to add some more light to brighten the upper part of one of my enclosures any ideas? It doesn't really need more heat, so something with little to none. I suppose a little extra wouldn't hurt, then I could change the basking bulb. My issue is it a big tank 6ft long x 2w x 3h and I was hoping for something big to put up top that's not $200 :lol: It's bright where she is it's just the rest is dull.

I see new LED fixtures and lights now available for reptiles but are those any different than regular LED's? I was wondering about clear rope lights, but am not sure if they are ok. Something like a rope light would be perfect since I could easily run it all around the top of the tank.

I have a pic, though it's not the whole tank but it gives you somewhat of an idea. I used to have a shelf on the brackets with branches and things to get up there but it turns out Pebbles is a jumper and she was gravid so I got paranoid about broken bones or eggs ( :lol: I know, I'm just a nervous nellie and she is my first female I've had). Also, I was cleaning furniture so it's empty in the pic, it's not like that all the time. And the basking light is lower now, that bulb was too much.

 

[MAK]

use a flourescent bulb, tube or coil.

 

[kbro]

Lol, I did actually see you post that somewhere else when I was looking around some more.

That would be 4 light fixtures then and I won't use a cfl (why do you think only the uvb ones bad? They both are not good!). I have a old fixture for a 18 inch, but would that add much? And what would be the best tube then to get the most visible light that's good or at least won't affect my girl?

 

[Taterbug]

I would hope (and it depends on the brand) that the reptile LEDs are a balanced array to make up for the spectral deficiencies of the individual diodes. After a quick read on it, it sounds like the main concerns are glare from the diode, and poor color spectrum since LEDs are much narrower in spectral range than conventional lights. Spectrum can be adjusted by making an array of different diodes, but you'd want to make sure the company making them actually does that, since we see light different than our dragons. Of course, much like aquarium LEDs they are probably super expensive.

I'm interested too if a fluorescent tube can give more useful brightness, or what light really is good for that I'm thinking of upgrading my own lighting.

Kbro, love how up huge you tank is btw. I'm jealous. :mrgreen:

 

[kbro]

Thanks taterbug, a couple years ago I got the best deal for it, $80. I cleaned then re-sealed the whole thing and made it my own. My first guy Loki was 23 1/2 inches so I spoiled him with a huge tank, doesn't Pebbles look tiny in there, she's only pushing 18 lol.

I see zoo med has an LED light fixture coming out but the LED's are next to a fitting for the reptisun. Also saw at, I think it was, light your reptile they have some screw in LED's.

I'm heading out to the reptile show so I'll see what they have too. Wish me luck that I don't spend all my money lol.

 

[jarich]

You could buy one of the new T5 non UV fluorescents, but not sure if it's really worth it since you're just looking to add brightness. I would highly recommend the JungleDawn LEDs for that. You can use just a normal light socket, and they produce minimal heat. They are very bright, and have a good light too, plus they're very economical to run (think mine is 13 watts).

 

[kbro]

I did check those out thank you! I will probably go for those, I just wanted some other opinions, I didn't see anything like them at my rep show but oh well. Thankfully I didn't spend all the money there!

 

[jarich]

Haha, ya the reptile shows seem to suck the money right out of your pockets sometimes! What else did you end up getting?

 

[kbro]

I needed a different basking fixture and I picked up a basking bulb, I would have bought some more, but they were not expecting the turnout and only had the big wattage left. I also got this cool piece of wood viewtopic.php?f=1&t=207616

There was also a vendor that knows the beardeddragon.co people and had a bunch of the products, I was going to order some anyways so I saved on shipping. It was fun too though.

 

[jarich]

Ya they are great for seeing what all is out there and available, plus its always fun to talk to people in the business. Its not that big of a hobby really, so you end up seeing a lot of the same faces, or getting to put faces to names, etc. Cool branch!

 

[kbro]

Thanks, I thought it was cool too, they had a couple but that was the last one like that. I heard people talking about it but I snatched it up and paid the guy, lol I wanted it. Our show is the cold blooded expos it's not as big as repticon (I wish) but it was great still.