New terrarium lighting, heating and control advice.

[Yoshi2019]

4x2x2 carolina custom terrarium

All lights and CHE will be inside not on top of the screen.

Arcadia 34" 12 or 14%. I'm assuming 14% for this size enclosure.

Halogen flood for basking (not sure of wattage but will be on a dimmer thermostat.)

CHE on a thermostat just for if it gets colder at night. (we are in FL so probably won't have to use it)

Another halogen or incandescent on the cool side. (also on dimming thermostat)

Halogen basking light and cool side light will run off something like a herpstat 2 to keep temps constant

CHE will run off of some other dimming or pulse thermostat

Arcadia will be on a regular timer.

Any recommendations for controllers, fixtures or anything else to do with lighting and heating is very welcome as this is my first time setting up a larger one. We have a rescued beardie that is doing amazing now and is big enough for his forever home.

 

[CooperDragon]

It sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Since you're in FL, you probably won't need a CHE. Mine only tends to kick in during winter months when the house goes into the 50s at night. You want to be careful with the second light so it doesn't wind up producing too much heat on the cool side of the tank. A bright halogen over the basking spot and your Arcadia may be all that you need. If the cool side does stay to warm then even on a dimmer the secondary light might wind up being dimmed too far to be of much use for visible light. It might make sense to install a socket over there just in case, but leave it empty or off for now and see how it goes.

For UVB, the 24'' or 36'' Arcadia should work well. You'll want the 12% to be about 12'' or so above the main basking area so even in a 2' tall enclosure you may want to stick with the 12% rather than the 14%. Since the 14% is so much more powerful, I feel that they are better suited for tanks a bit taller like a 4' or larger. You want to make sure there is room to build some climbing spots.

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/34-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/ This is what I use (I have the 24'' as well). Worth every penny.

 

[Yoshi2019]

Thank you for the info. I may just stay with the 12%. The CHE is a just in case kind of thing. We are in North Florida, so some 20s and 30s during the winter. I'm definitely planning on putting a fixture on the cool side, then see how it goes. I was doing it just to keep the temperature constant on the cool side with the herpstat and add a little light. If the T5 lights up the cool side enough I may just put the CHE on that side hooked to the herpstat 2 on a day/night cycle and let it keep a constant temp if it needs to.

 

[CooperDragon]

Sounds good. That's how I have mine set up, with a heat projector (similar to CHE but runs less hot) over the cool side and controlled by the herpstat to kick in as needed.