uvb lighting

[diamc]

Yes, the Arcadia fixtures have a built in reflector.

That is a bit of a predicament that you're in. Since your fixture has a reflector and you're using a HO bulb, I think I would stay with the 5.0 bulb right now. Unless, you can lower the basking spot so that it is about 16" or so away then you should be able to use the 10.0.

You might want to consider a Solar Meter as soon as you can swing it as that would take out the guess work and be able to put your mind at ease.

 

[Wolfeden]

Well, you're right...it's all guess work right now. A solar meter would be too easy and too expensive right now. :wink:

It seems like you didn't get much reduction in UVB through your screen top, that surprises me.

 

[Wolfeden]

FWIW, the enclosure is a 40G breeder so it's only 16" tall.
That was one drawback of the 40G that I didn't foresee...it would be much easier to vary UVI with the T5's if the tank was about 20" tall instead.

 

[diamc]

No, the screen didn't obstruct much of the UV output. The built in reflector helped and the fixture was at a distance of slightly over 6" and yes, the output reading was about 5.5 when brand new.

 

[Wolfeden]

Thanks for your input.
In lieu of a solar meter, I'm trying to gather as much info as possible before making any decisions/changes.

 

[diamc]

You're right, if you had more height to work with, it would be helpful. Would it be possible to lower the basking spot to give you more distance there?

Always a good idea to get as much input as possible, we are all still learning. :wink:

 

[Wolfeden]

I can move some things around if need be.

The rock top surface, where he is in picture, is 12" from he T5 bulb, through screen. His head is substantially higher. It's the closest to the UVB but slightly lower in temp (low 90's) than the basking branch.

The brightest basking branch area ranges in temp from about 100°-108° but is 1-2 inches farther away from the T5, since it's forward of the bulb.

To avoid the high UVB the BD can use the rock cave, shady area behind the plant and most of the cool side is not below the UVB source.

 

[KahliLizard]

So I was reading through an articles comments, and noticed that it a lady (at least I suppose) said she used a "Lights of America 7020 24" Fluorescent Light Stick " (amazon url: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ode=as2&tag=dafibl-20&linkId=FHOHV2DE4ORA6XQY and a "Zoo Med ReptiSun® 10.0 High Output UVB Fluorescent Bulb 17 Watts, 24-Inch "
what I am wondering is, would this work well? or there is obviously better choices, but is this a very bad idea?

 

[Taterbug]

The "high output" usually refers to the T5 lighting, I don't think that fixture will support a T5 bulb. A 22" T5 is a 24W bulb the fixture is 17W, so I'm guessing they are referring to the lower output T8.

That setup will get the job done, many people use something similar, but it's worth considering that you get what you pay for. The UVB bulbs are expensive bulbs and cheaper fixtures not designed with active UVB bulbs in mind may not have the best output from them.

The T5 fixture from zoomed or Arcadia and either the reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 or the Arcadia equivalent are going to be your best routes.

 

[KahliLizard]

forgot to add before, but I got a reptisun T5 HO terrarium hood, and a Reptisun 10.0 to go with it. Thanks for all your help everyone.