Light fixture suggestions

[jenn4turtles]

Hello, again!

The ZooMed BD kit that I bought came with a dual dome light fixture and two bulbs: a ReptiSun® 10.0 Compact Fluorescent and a Repti Basking Spot® Lamp (100w). Since then, I have learned that the compact can cause damage to BD's eyes, so I will need to change that out. I'm not familiar with all the difference fixtures and bulbs, so I need help. Can I buy a different fluorescent and still use the dome fixture? Do I need a whole new fixture? Should I use the long tube kind, and which brand, etc.? They in different percentages, it looks like.

So annoyed that this so-called kit would sell something that isn't safe!

 

[CooperDragon]

It's very frustrating to have a kit or get advice from the pet store that is just incorrect or harmful. The dome fixture won't be useful for UVB, but you could put a second basking bulb in it to make things brighter/hotter if needed. You could also use the extra dome for a ceramic heat emitter if you need it at night or during the winter to keep the temps up.

As for the UVB. I'd pick up a ReptiSun 10.0 that is big enough to stretch at least half or 2/3 of your tank. You'll need to get a fixture that is the appropriate size for the bulb as well and mount it in the tank (or at least make sure there isn't anything like mesh or glass/plastic between the bulb and basking spot. Ideal distance is about 6-8''. If you can give me the dimensions of your tank I can try to find something more specific.

 

[jenn4turtles]

It's very frustrating to have a kit or get advice from the pet store that is just incorrect or harmful. The dome fixture won't be useful for UVB, but you could put a second basking bulb in it to make things brighter/hotter if needed. You could also use the extra dome for a ceramic heat emitter if you need it at night or during the winter to keep the temps up.

As for the UVB. I'd pick up a ReptiSun 10.0 that is big enough to stretch at least half or 2/3 of your tank. You'll need to get a fixture that is the appropriate size for the bulb as well and mount it in the tank (or at least make sure there isn't anything like mesh or glass/plastic between the bulb and basking spot. Ideal distance is about 6-8''. If you can give me the dimensions of your tank I can try to find something more specific.

In the dual light I have a 100w "basking" spot bulb, and the other is the ReptiSun compact. I'm a little confused as to which is supposed to provide the UVB, but I think it's supposed to be the ReptiSun :?: . The fixture rests on top of the sliding screen top, so I'm not sure that he is even getting the benefit of either light, really. :-? The terrarium is 36"x18"x18" inches.

Since we live in Louisiana, I don't think that we will need the heater, but you never know. The heaters in my fish tanks clicked on a good bit during this last winter.

 

[CooperDragon]

The basking (UVA) will pass right through mesh with no problem. The main measure there is the temperature. As long as it's getting the basking spot up to or just over 100 it's fine. The UVB light comes from the coil bulb. I'd remove that ASAP and just bring Smaug outside for a bit to get some UVB exposure (natural sunlight gives off plenty, but it can't go through glass).

I suggest at least a 24'' fixture for that size tank. A 30'' will work nicely too. Something like these:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25698

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25696

 

[jenn4turtles]

The basking (UVA) will pass right through mesh with no problem. The main measure there is the temperature. As long as it's getting the basking spot up to or just over 100 it's fine. The UVB light comes from the coil bulb. I'd remove that ASAP and just bring Smaug outside for a bit to get some UVB exposure (natural sunlight gives off plenty, but it can't go through glass).

I suggest at least a 24'' fixture for that size tank. A 30'' will work nicely too. Something like these:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25698

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25696

I will check out those links.

I also need to get better temp gauges because the temp and humidity gauges are the dial-type and I read that they are not reliable. It says its about 80-85, but I'm betting it's higher than that, and just not registering. (The gauges came with the "kit"; seriously wondering if I could pack the whole thing up and return it to PetSmart. )

 

[jenn4turtles]

I looked at the link for the hood, and I'm just wondering how that would fit on the tank? Can I lay it across the screened top? Or does it mount inside the tank? If I mount it inside, wouldn't that be too close to him?

 

[CooperDragon]

The kit may have been worth the money for the tank alone. That's a good size tank. Mine is an exoterra with the same dimensions and cost over $300. I would just consider the kit pieces "entry level" and upgrade as needed =). I've had great luck with my temp gun. It was pretty cheap on amazon. I like being able to get instant readings anywhere, even outside the tank to see if Coop is getting too cold.

 

[jenn4turtles]

The kit may have been worth the money for the tank alone. That's a good size tank. Mine is an exoterra with the same dimensions and cost over $300. I would just consider the kit pieces "entry level" and upgrade as needed =). I've had great luck with my temp gun. It was pretty cheap on amazon. I like being able to get instant readings anywhere, even outside the tank to see if Coop is getting too cold.

It was about $185 at PetSmart. I chose the 40 g kit (as opposed to the 20 g) because I know he's going to grow, and I figured we should just go with the bigger one to start. Out of the stuff it came with, we only use the water bowl (which doesn't seem necessary), the temp & humidity gauges (which may or may not be working accurately), the dual fixture (which I will be replacing shortly), and the food and calcium samples. I'm trying to figure out what we can use the 12 lb bag of sand for (not for Smaug, ever, that's for sure); maybe I can use it for my potted succulents/cacti?

The sliding screen top (which can be locked) is pretty handy. I'm not as worried about his getting out as I am about three cats getting in. But if I have to get the other hood for the tube light, am I still going to be able to use it?

 

[CooperDragon]

I used the rest of my calci sand to put down paver stones on the front porch so I could fit a second chair out there for summer =). What you could do with the lights is get a light stand for the basking lamp and let that hover above the top so you can get in and out. You could mount the UVB fixture on the inside using command hooks or if your fixture is like mine you could put a bolt through the mesh with some big washers on both ends and bolt the fixture to the inside of the top using the screw holes that become available after taking out the plastic cover. There are many different ways of mounting the UVB light. If you post photos of what you've got when you pick up the UVB fixture, I'm sure lots of folks will be able to chime in with good ideas.

 

[jenn4turtles]

I used the rest of my calci sand to put down paver stones on the front porch so I could fit a second chair out there for summer =). What you could do with the lights is get a light stand for the basking lamp and let that hover above the top so you can get in and out. You could mount the UVB fixture on the inside using command hooks or if your fixture is like mine you could put a bolt through the mesh with some big washers on both ends and bolt the fixture to the inside of the top using the screw holes that become available after taking out the plastic cover. There are many different ways of mounting the UVB light. If you post photos of what you've got when you pick up the UVB fixture, I'm sure lots of folks will be able to chime in with good ideas.

I like the idea of mounting to the inside of the screen top, but I will probably have to adjust the items in the tank because he will be just a few inches away from the light once it's in there. He has a tree branch and a hammock that he spends most of his day on, but they are pretty close to the cover.

Thanks for all the help! I will definitely post tank pics!

 

[CooperDragon]

If that's the case, you may want to rig a way to suspend it above the tank and perhaps cut the mesh a bit to allow UVB to pass. You'll want to shoot for having it about 6-8'' from the basking spot. The basking light should be adjusted based on temperature at the basking area.

 

[jarich]

Can you post a picture of your set up? By the sounds of it, you could likely buy the high output T5s and keep it on the outside of the enclosure, but it really depends on the set up.

 

[jenn4turtles]

Can you post a picture of your set up? By the sounds of it, you could likely buy the high output T5s and keep it on the outside of the enclosure, but it really depends on the set up.

I ordered the T5 HO Zoo Med ReptiSun terrarium hood and the Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB T5 HO lamp (24 watts), and they should be here by June 2nd. In the meantime, I will try to get a pic of the set up. The screen is a two-piece that covers the top, and the front 1/2 slides out for access into the enclosure. It came with the tank.

 

[jarich]

Nice, sounds like if the light fits well, you could possibly remove the screen altogether, which would be a bonus.

 

[jenn4turtles]

Nice, sounds like if the light fits well, you could possibly remove the screen altogether, which would be a bonus.

I'll have to see how it fits. The main reason that we use the screen is to keep other pets out of his enclosure. My youngest cat (4 years old & 14+ lbs.) has already jumped in there ... Twice. Once when Smaug was in it and once when he was not. We quickly pulled the cat out and fussed at him. I can't tell if he's interested in Smaug or the crickets we put in there or just the terrarium itself.