Reptisun 10.0 T8 or T5 for a 48x24x24?

[HitokiriBattousai]

im curious as to which would be recommended as i have a T8 now but if the T5 would be the better option i'll probably exchange it and hunt down a T5 bulb and fixture

 

[CooperDragon]

I recommend using a T5 if you can. The output is MUCH better. With a 48'' tank I'd get at least a 24'' fixture if not a little longer. You'll want it about 12-18'' above the basking spot to provide good exposure. I use a 36'' fixture on my 36'' enclosure and it works very well.

 

[HitokiriBattousai]

I recommend using a T5 if you can. The output is MUCH better. With a 48'' tank I'd get at least a 24'' fixture if not a little longer. You'll want it about 12-18'' above the basking spot to provide good exposure. I use a 36'' fixture on my 36'' enclosure and it works very well.

i just returned the T8 and found a place that sells T5 fixtures and a place down the street that can get the T5 bulbs was in fact gonna go with a 24"

now for placement should i have the basking bulb and the UVB on one side and nothing on cool side or should i have the Basking light on one side and a few inches to the side about in the middle of the tank have the UVB? of course no screens in the way or anything

 

[CooperDragon]

I would put the basking light and UVB light on the same side of the tank so your dragon gets both heat and UVB while basking. You can leave the cool side empty without an issue.

 

[Taterbug]

Glad you got the T5 lighting it's great. That size is good, if it has a reflector I would not make the basking site any closer than the 12-18" (measure out from the bulb) Cooper suggests.

The heat+uvb should be concentrated on the same side, but if your setup seems too dark you can add more lights. These are really strong lights, so it is even worth it to offer some shade on the warm side.

 

[HitokiriBattousai]

Glad you got the T5 lighting it's great. That size is good, if it has a reflector I would not make the basking site any closer than the 12-18" (measure out from the bulb) Cooper suggests.

The heat+uvb should be concentrated on the same side, but if your setup seems too dark you can add more lights. These are really strong lights, so it is even worth it to offer some shade on the warm side.

i didn't actually get them yet but i spoke with the manager at the pet supply store and they said if they don't have the T5 bulb in stock they will gladly order it for me any time i'd like so as soon i as i get the cash im gonna pick up the material to build the Viv and get the lighting then i'll be testing temp w/ the basking light to find the ideal temp (im gonna be aiming for about 100F flat with a temp probe as the temp in my house fluctuates quiet a bit so i want to give it a bit of room to warm up as it is colder this time of year so temp i get now will be cooler then ones i'll get once it warm up again)

for the fixture im gonna be going to a lighting supply store and seeing what they got (there website list they have T5 fixtures so i know they at least have that) if i can't get a fixture with a reflector i'll probably fabricate something as my uncle does a lot of auto work so having him weld a reflector onto something wouldn't be to much trouble as he has all the tools for working with metal and such


anyway thanks both of you for all the input

 

[Taterbug]

Oops, I misunderstood.

If you get a dimmer, you can adjust the temperature slightly to adjust for seasons. A dimming thermostat will do this too, automatically.

You can also buy snap on reflectors for many common T5 fixtures.
Good luck with your build!

 

[HitokiriBattousai]

Oops, I misunderstood.

If you get a dimmer, you can adjust the temperature slightly to adjust for seasons. A dimming thermostat will do this too, automatically.

You can also buy snap on reflectors for many common T5 fixtures.
Good luck with your build!

Thanks and yea im gonna be looking into stuff like that


now that im gonna get a T5 setup i can even play with how tall it is was thinking of bumping it up to 48x30x24 to give me about a solid foot to play around with a nice multi tier basking structure of some sort with gradual inclines and such to minimize any possible falls


my father is a Master carpenter who is also a jack of all trades as far as building goes and my uncle is experienced with metal work as he is a mechanic and has custom made his own parts in the past so really im only limited by budget and design lol