What is the difference between UVB T8 and UVB T5?

[Connie-Riley]

Hello,
I would like to understand the difference between T5 and T8. Some other may have read my post about our bearded dragon hiding after 5 hours of being under the UVB and basking. We have a 36x18x18 tank, she is about 5 month old and this behavior is since three weeks. I have a T5 mounted inside the tank. Distance to basking is now 12". The lamp is 36 inch wide and goes all the way diagonal in the tank. I fed her with live food with Calcium +D3. I changed that about a week ago to just Calcium. I changed the temperatures a bit (lowered them). I got a bit better. Can it be possible that she gets to much UVB in the mornings and is hiding bc of that? I do have to say that she looks stressed to me when she is hiding in her cave.

 

[xp29]

Hello,
I would like to understand the difference between T5 and T8. Some other may have read my post about our bearded dragon hiding after 5 hours of being under the UVB and basking. We have a 36x18x18 tank, she is about 5 month old and this behavior is since three weeks. I have a T5 mounted inside the tank. Distance to basking is now 12". The lamp is 36 inch wide and goes all the way diagonal in the tank. I fed her with live food with Calcium +D3. I changed that about a week ago to just Calcium. I changed the temperatures a bit (lowered them). I got a bit better. Can it be possible that she gets to much UVB in the mornings and is hiding bc of that? I do have to say that she looks stressed to me when she is hiding in her cave.

Tube diameter and strength. T8's are a larger diameter and not as strong uvb. A 24 inch fixture with a 22 incg bulb is sufficient for most setups. At 36 inches your beardie has to use the hide to get out of the uvb. I would still use a t5 (they last longer than a t8) but in a 24 inch fixture.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello,
I would like to understand the difference between T5 and T8. Some other may have read my post about our bearded dragon hiding after 5 hours of being under the UVB and basking. We have a 36x18x18 tank, she is about 5 month old and this behavior is since three weeks. I have a T5 mounted inside the tank. Distance to basking is now 12". The lamp is 36 inch wide and goes all the way diagonal in the tank. I fed her with live food with Calcium +D3. I changed that about a week ago to just Calcium. I changed the temperatures a bit (lowered them). I got a bit better. Can it be possible that she gets to much UVB in the mornings and is hiding bc of that? I do have to say that she looks stressed to me when she is hiding in her cave.

She still needs the calcium D3 till a year old - the UVB is what helps her absorb/ synthesize the calcium shes getting - at one yr of age this will change along w/ diet --

 

[Connie-Riley]

Tube diameter and strength. T8's are a larger diameter and not as strong uvb. A 24 inch fixture with a 22 incg bulb is sufficient for most setups. At 36 inches your beardie has to use the hide to get out of the uvb. I would still use a t5 (they last longer than a t8) but in a 24 inch fixture.

Thank you! And the T5 24 inch inside or on top of the tank then?

 

[Connie-Riley]

She still needs the calcium D3 till a year old - the UVB is what helps her absorb/ synthesize the calcium shes getting - at one yr of age this will change along w/ diet --

Thank you Karrie! Would you agree on having a shorter T5?

 

[xp29]

Thank you! And the T5 24 inch inside or on top of the tank then?

I prefer unobstructed so I put mine under the screen. Just try to make sure your beardie has some place to move out of the direct uvb.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you Karrie! Would you agree on having a shorter T5?

Yes for 40 + gallon tanks a 24" is good anything over a 48" L tank would require a 36" or so fixture - you dont want her hiding from the UVB's - she needs to be able to sit out in the open w/ out having to be under the UVB all the time -- your screen will determine where the UVB need to go - fine screen meshes like a screen door would need to be unobstructed and 12-15 inches - wide hole screen it can stay on top but distance would need to be 8-10 inches w/ basking decor for both distances directly underneath

 

[Connie-Riley]

So a 24 inch lamp I bought… Let’s try this. The mesh on top of the tank is very impervious.

 

[xp29]

So a 24 inch lamp I bought… Let’s try this. The mesh on top of the tank is very impervious.

24 inch is good. If the screen is fine I'd go underneath for sure

 

[Connie-Riley]

If that doesn’t work I have no idea what else it could be. I want the best for her

 

[KarrieRee]

If that doesn’t work I have no idea what else it could be. I want the best for her

You should see a difference right away