Lighting with Arcadia 34” bulb. Different fixture?

[Megdan1]

Had a quick question. I am currently making a 4’x2’x2’ enclosure and through my research 34” T5 UVB/UVA bulb would be perfect for my needs as well as my pocket. However, I wanted to get this bulb with the fixture for $89.99 at lightyourreptiles. As you all know, building a custom enclosure with realistic basking platforms and whatnot gets pretty expensive. Well the light with fixture has been out of stock for some time and is going to be for sometime longer. Not being able to afford everything all at once has kept me from up grading for some time because as we all know, lighting is essential so not being able to get the right light has put off the whole project. But my girls getting big and I really need to hurry. I know I can buy the double fixture with daylight bulb and uvb/a bulb but that along with shipping is really gonna break the bank after I buy the supplies to build the enclosure and make the interior like I am planning. Is there a fixture out there that I can buy that is high output and appropriate wattage to work with the Arcadia 34” t5 HO UVB/UVA 12% bulb?

 

[Taterbug]

Look on amazon for the sunblaster fixtures. I have several of these and love them. However, I would instead recommend the 22” Arcadia 12% paired with a 34” Daylight bulb. This will give you a nice bright setup but also an UV gradient.

 

[kyleena29]

This is what I use in my 4x2x2 and where I got them.

http://www.urbangardensupply.net/fluorescent-lighting/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-31-3-ft-1-lamp-w-nanotech-reflector/

http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/arcadia-d3-12-uvb-t5-bulb-34/

The sunblaster originally comes with a regular bulb which you could use for extra light provided you have another fixture for it. I had an older fixture that was not as good so it is now used just for lighting.

 

[EllenD]

Hi, welcome to the forum...I have been building custom enclosures for years and years, along with decor, I used to sell them online and took custom orders, so I'm familiar with your issue, lol. I think I can help you out...

For an enclosure that is 4'x2'x2' you absolutely must have a T5 strength UVB tube inside a fixture that is rated for a T5 tube; The most crucial detail you must make sure of when you purchase both your tube and fixture is that the fixture is not only rated for AT LEAST the wattage of the UVB tube you're planning on buying or have already bought, but that it also contains a Reflector inside it. With such a large enclosure you must have the UVB light Reflected throughout the entire enclosure, not just directly below the UVB tube itself.

A 36" UVB tube is perfect for a 48" long enclosure, that is usually the length that I install in the 4' enclosures I build. I believe that the 36" Arcadia 12% T5 UVB tube is 24 watts, so the fixture you buy must be 36" long and rated for at least 24 watts, and have a Reflector.

As already mentioned, the SunBlaster brand of T5 tube fixtures are excellent, they all contain a built-in, fold-out Reflector, and they also all come with several different sets of mounting hardware, so you can mount it to a flat surface, like the ceiling of the wooden enclosure, as well as the hardware to hang them. Here's the link to the 36" SunBlaster T5 fixture with built-in reflector, if you look under "Other Buying Options" up at the top, there is one seller who is selling this brand new for $43.77 shipped. That's a great deal, I think I paid that much for my 24" version a few years ago...

https://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-904297-NanoTech-Fixture-Reflector/dp/B00AKKUD3Y/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_0_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00AKKUD3Y&pd_rd_r=JRH4RV1BY1GX6M84YN95&pd_rd_w=Ci5ms&pd_rd_wg=nloq1&psc=1&refRID=JRH4RV1BY1GX6M84YN95


There are a couple of 36" T5 Fixtures that are a bit cheaper, around $33 shipped on Amazon.com, but they don't include a Reflector, nor do they have a place to put a Reflector in the fixture, so you'd have to buy a separate, 36" Clip-On Reflector to attach behind/around the UVB tube, which would cost you more than the $43.77 shipped for the SunBlaster one with the fold-out Reflector. So definitely the SunBlaster above is the cheapest way to go with the best fixture/reflector combo.

 

[Taterbug]

Regardless of enclosure size you want to have a thermal gradient and a UV gradient, both or which are easier in a larger enclosure. Some times this is accomplished by hides/shade etc but also by size and position of lamps. A 36” lamp in a 48” long enclosure will give virtually no gradient of UV exposure.

 

[kyleena29]

I have 3 - 4x2x2 enclosures and they have plenty of places with 0 uvb. I use the 34" bulbs. I have it set up closer to the back and all the way to the left next to the basking bulb. I also have a 10" deep shelf across the whole back that is about 10" high so the uvb is primarily along the shelf. There is minimal uvb (like 0.2) on the floor and to the right of the end of the uvb along the shelf. I also have hides on warm and cool end. So it really depends how you will set it up. You could go with a 22" bulb yes. So it really depends how you will set up their enclosure but I think either one is fine.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[Megdan1]

Thanx for all of the responses. I’m not worried about building proper gragiants. I’m pretty good at setting things like that up and I’m the kinda person who likes things perfect and a particular way. I had actually come across the sun blaster fixtures and thought that it would work. In fact I was going to post that up here and ask if any one had any experience with them but got tied up and just made it back. Thanx all and of course…there will be pics. In the enclosure section when it’s all said and done.?it’s gonna be sweeet!! (I get excighted over projects and reptiles has been my hobby/passion for over 15years, so a reptile project is gonna be double fun)!

 

[Megdan1]

This is what I use in my 4x2x2 and where I got them.

http://www.urbangardensupply.net/fluorescent-lighting/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-31-3-ft-1-lamp-w-nanotech-reflector/

http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/arcadia-d3-12-uvb-t5-bulb-34/

The sunblaster originally comes with a regular bulb which you could use for extra light provided you have another fixture for it. I had an older fixture that was not as good so it is now used just for lighting.

Thanx a lot. The sites and their product prices are a big help!???

 

[Taterbug]

As a quick note! Reptile Basics is a great shop, I have a few of their products and got my last set of Arcadia bulbs from them. They also sell T5HO fixtures but myself and I believe Cooperdragon have both found that the output of them is notably less than from the sunblaster it Light Your Reptiles fixtures.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah I've purchased bulbs and fixtures from them as well and found that the T5 fixture while cheap has a fairly low quality reflector and the output of the bulb doesn't wind up being as high as with others such as the Sunblaster or the LightYourReptiles fixtures. It's worth investing in a good fixture to get the most out of your bulbs.

 

[Megdan1]

Yeah I've purchased bulbs and fixtures from them as well and found that the T5 fixture while cheap has a fairly low quality reflector and the output of the bulb doesn't wind up being as high as with others such as the Sunblaster or the LightYourReptiles fixtures. It's worth investing in a good fixture to get the most out of your bulbs.

That Is exactly what I was worried about with the SunBlaster.The website really made it sound good but I was worried as to whether not it would work but now that I’m seeing all of you guy’s replies up here I’m thinking that that’s the way I’m going to go.