Lighting Help for Newbies (:

[Nihilist]

Whats the best way to mount a T8 fixture inside the tank? Velco or double sided tape on the side of the tank or some how attach it to the screen? I bought a cheap 24 inch plastic fixture at Lowes today. Thinking of taking it back spending $5 more and getting a metal one, will also have to buy a cord. My bulb doesn't arrive till, well since it's past midnight, later today. Want to do this right, my beardie has lost his appetite and barely moves.

 

[Nihilist]

Got my light, Zoo Med ReptiSun® 10.0 High Output UVB Fluorescent Bulb 17 Watts, 24-Inch, and this thing is very dim. I have a 36 inch tank and it doesn't light up the whole tank. The 2 Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Mini Compact Fluorescent bulbs I was using did a way better job. The fixture I got said it does 17 watts but could that be the issue or is it more likely that I got a defective bulb?

 

[CooperDragon]

The T8 bulbs are relatively dim and low output. That's why their optimal output (when using a reflector) is at about 6-8''. The T5 bulbs are much brighter and will light up a 36'' tank very well. They are higher output so their optimal distance is about 12-14''. For mounting, if you have holes on the back of the fixture you could use small command hooks to hang it on the wall. You could also use cable tie mounting brackets and cable ties, or some heavy duty velcro. It depends on your fixture and the setup. You'll just want it to be very secure and sit at the appropriate 6'' or so above the highest basking area.

 

[Nihilist]

Have the no reflectors, only ones I could find like that for a 24 inch bulb were 50+. Wish I knew how dim the T8 would be before I bought it. I still can't believe that it is dimmer than the compact fluorescent bulbs. I will head to Lowes and see if they have any 24 inch hoods with reflectors. I have 3 pets stores near by and not one of them carry 24 inch hoods or bulbs... Might have to return my bulb to Amazon and try and get a 18 inch T5 bulb and hood.

 

[CooperDragon]

You could add a regular household incandescent to one side of the tank to add some more light if you want to. Arcadia makes a 24'' T8 reflector, but I'm not sure if it will fit your fixture or not. It's available at LightYourReptiles. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-t8-24-lamp-reflector/
If you do wind up switching to the T5 it will be more expensive up front but the bulbs last much longer (12+ months instead of 6 months with the T8). These are some good options:

This fixture http://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-904296-NanoTech-Fixture-Reflector/dp/B00AKKUBDQ
With this bulb http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSun-10-0-Lamp/dp/B00AQU8HAO/

Or this combo set http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

 

[Nihilist]

Talked to Petco and they said if I go in the store and order items online I can get free shipping so here is what I am looking at
Hood: http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/reptile/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood-24-l but on a budget and figured it would be close.
Bulb: http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/reptile/zoo-med-reptisun-100-uvb-t5-ho-lamp-24-watts for $14.99 for a total of $48.58
Does that look good?

 

[CooperDragon]

I can't vouch for the ReptiSun hood because I haven't tested it, but I've read some negatives about it in terms of not providing full output as expected at certain distances. I'm not sure if that's an isolated issue or not without doing some testing with a solarmeter. It's still likely to be a good improvement over a T8 though.

 

[mommacude]

A T5 would need to be mounted outside of a 40g breeder because it's too intense to mount closer than about 12'' from the basking area. The fixture you linked is a T8 fixture I believe and won't work with a T5 bulb. These are good options if you wish to go with a T5

This fixture http://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-904296-NanoTech-Fixture-Reflector/dp/B00AKKUBDQ
With this bulb http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSun-10-0-Lamp/dp/B00AQU8HAO/

Or this combo set http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/


If you wish to go with a T8, I suggest this fixture because it's easy to mount using the holes in the back and has a reflector. http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/zilla-slimline-desert-50-uvb-t8-fluorescent-fixture Be sure to remove the plastic cover that is in front of the bulb as that will intercept all UVB output. An 18'' T8 ReptiSun 10.0 bulb will fit into this fixture. It should be mounted 6-8'' above the basking spot for best results.

Thank you! I'd already bought that exact reptisun bulb. I'll go ahead and order that hood and mount it outside the tank. Sounds like that would be the best. And, I need to get some branches that are a bit higher.

My tank is about 36" and this is 24" is that OK or should I have a longer one? Just being 100% sure. Thanks.

 

[CooperDragon]

The 22'' bulb will work well for a 36'' tank. Mount it on the basking side so the most intense UVB is over the basking area along with the heat and bright white light. Not having it run the whole length will create a gradient that will allow for self regulation. They don't always want intense UVB so it's good to provide some shade as well.

 

[mommacude]

The 22'' bulb will work well for a 36'' tank. Mount it on the basking side so the most intense UVB is over the basking area along with the heat and bright white light. Not having it run the whole length will create a gradient that will allow for self regulation. They don't always want intense UVB so it's good to provide some shade as well.

You have been so helpful thanks again! I'm ordering the lamp now and have one final question. The link you said includes a bulb. It's a good price so that's good. My question is is the bulb that's included any good? I already have the one you mentioned on the way. Once that wears out is the sunblaster T5HO a good brand of light?

Thanks again!!!

 

[CooperDragon]

The Arcadia package from LightYourReptiles includes a fixture and bulb. The Arcadia bulb that comes with it is excellent. I use that set and it has worked well for over a year (it still has proper output, I test it with a UV meter).

The Sunblaster fixture comes with a daylight bulb so you'll want to get a good UVB bulb to replace it. The daylight bulb is good as a secondary source of visible light but doesn't produce UVB. The ReptiSun 10.0 bulb is an excellent bulb, but you could also pick up a standalone Arcadia 12% if you wish.

 

[mommacude]

I went to a show today and bought this from a vendor. It had the same light included that I ordered on Amazon, but now I have a spare. It also included a basking bulb. Now we just have to adjust inside because it's much more hot than the other bulb I had.

Reptile T5HO 22" Fixture & Reflector with Basking Light Assembly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K2BIM1Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_zTsWwbDW4FGAG

 

[CooperDragon]

That looks like it will work nicely =)

 

[mommacude]

That looks like it will work nicely =)

Oh good. it's a lot hotter so his hammoc is lower. I will probably get one of her larger enclosures once he gets bigger. My only concern now is if it's too much uvb since its mounted inside but he can go under the hammoc if he wants shade. I bought one of hers made from cloth.

 

[CooperDragon]

You may also be able to hook the basking light to a dimmer to control output a bit. As far as UVB goes, having shade areas is a great idea. With the T5 if it's 12-14'' above the highest basking area it will be fine. At 12'' a T5 with reflector usually puts out 4-5 UVI which is a good basking level. As you move to the sides and further away from the bulb the UVI drops to lower levels which is good.