UVB questions: Reptisun T5 HO 5.0 vs. 10.0

[KendraA]

I have a Zoomed hood with a reflector to hold a 22" UVB bulb in my 36" long terrarium. It came with a free Reptisun T5 HO 5.0 bulb. Is this strong enough for a bearded dragon, or will I need to purchase a T5 HO 10.0?

The package of the 5.0 says "good for reptiles" and the package for 10.0 says "good for desert reptiles." Of course, a bearded dragon is a desert reptile but I'm not sure if this means the 5.0 is not sufficient for a beardie. Perhaps at a lower height or something? I'm able to attach the hood beneath the screen top of the case so nothing is filtering the UVB. Curious whether anyone has tested the Reptisun T5 HO bulbs with a solar meter...

 

[Taterbug]

Indeed, the folks at the uv meter owners group on yahoo have! You can see their results in the "files" section if you have a yahoo account. There has also been a recent discussion on the matter. Essentially the 5.0 with a reflector is very similar in output to a 10.0 without a reflector. You could use either, configuration at the same distance (8-10") - though a 10.0 with a reflect can be used several inches further away (10-14"). Some folks have opted to use the 5.0 until replacemet time and then upgrade to a 10.0.

Here is the discussion thread: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/UVB_Meter_Owners/conversations/topics/8479

 

[KendraA]

Thank you! This conversation is exactly what I needed, and I see expert Frances has weighed in! I have hooks that hold my reflective ZooMed hood below the screen top of the cage and below the basking light, about 6" above the basking platform, so it seems from this data I'm good to go and don't need to swap.
--from Frances in the linked conversation, in case anyone else has the same question: "a 5.0 tube with a reflector will give you very much the same UVI as a 10.0 with no reflector "
and:
"UVB at 6" is still below UVI 8.0 even with a very new ZooMed T5-HO 5.0 tube in a reflector, so that should be perfectly okay"

Great!

 

[Taterbug]

Thank you! This conversation is exactly what I needed, and I see expert Frances has weighed in! I have hooks that hold my reflective ZooMed hood below the screen top of the cage and below the basking light, about 6" above the basking platform, so it seems from this data I'm good to go and don't need to swap.
--from Frances in the linked conversation, in case anyone else has the same question: "a 5.0 tube with a reflector will give you very much the same UVI as a 10.0 with no reflector "
and:
"UVB at 6" is still below UVI 8.0 even with a very new ZooMed T5-HO 5.0 tube in a reflector, so that should be perfectly okay"

Great!

If you have a second level to the basking area it will be even better and give more options for exposure. At 6" it's going to be pretty intense. You could also put it outside the screen and it would filter it down a bit if you find its too bright for your dragons taste.

 

[KendraA]

He has several steps leading up to the highest platform and a ramp also. He can also choose to lie on the portion of the highest platform directly under the UVB, or over to the side a bit away from direct light, without sacrificing heat from his basking bulb. He tends to rotate to different heights throughout the day--that is, when he isn't roaming the house! I am verifying with the folks in the UVB Meter Owners' forum to make sure 6" without screen is safe with a T5 HO 5.0 with reflector, just to make sure, since the convo didn't specify whether or not screen was factored into the UVB readings.

 

[Taterbug]

He has several steps leading up to the highest platform and a ramp also. He can also choose to lie on the portion of the highest platform directly under the UVB, or over to the side a bit away from direct light, without sacrificing heat from his basking bulb. He tends to rotate to different heights throughout the day--that is, when he isn't roaming the house! I am verifying with the folks in the UVB Meter Owners' forum to make sure 6" without screen is safe with a T5 HO 5.0 with reflector, just to make sure, since the convo didn't specify whether or not screen was factored into the UVB readings.

Awesome! Enjoy the light! They are great.