Which Is Better: T8 Mounted Inside, or T5 Mounted Outside?

[HobbitGirl]

The title pretty much says it all. I have read that the T5 or T8 UVB fixtures are best, but that the T5 should be mounted outside of the viv, whereas the T8 should be mounted inside. However, I haven't been able to find any discussion or comparison of which is better. Is there a consensus on this and I just haven't been able to find it? Or is it a matter of preference/opinion?

We're going to be getting our first beardie in a few months, so right now we are working on getting everything we need for the tank and getting it all set-up just right. Thanks in advance!

 

[FallOutFighter]

A lot of people around this forum are making the switch over to T5 bulbs. Not just more UVB but also UVB that is of a higher quality. A T5 can be mounted inside as long as it is at the proper distance from your basking spot. This would depend on how large your terrarium is. Good thing with the 10.0 T5 HO (The one I recommend) is it can go through a mesh cover as long as the basking spot is close enough. With either the T8 or T5 you can achieve proper levels of UVB but I would recommend a T5. Stay away from anything with a 5.0 in it. These do not give out enough UVB rays. Also apparently T5's can last up to 1 year before being replaced saving you money in the long term. Hope this helps!

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree. The T5 produces UVB levels closer to natural sunlight. When at optimal distances, the T8 can produce early morning levels of UVB but I consider them more of a minimum based on what is now available. A T5 with a reflector should sit about 12'' above the basking area while a T8 needs to be between about 6-8'' to be effective. A T5 is powerful enough that it can still be effective when a screen intercepts some of the output. A T8 wouldn't be very effective after a screen intercepted it's output. Taterbug has created a good guide to help show the differences in output between the bulbs. https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

 

[SHBailey]

We "upgraded" from the T8 to the T5 HO early this year. I don't like putting the lamps down inside the enclosure, but that's a personal preference, so I now feel better about the amount of UV that's getting through the screen. I have a UV meter that I use to tell me when it's time to replace the tubes, even though I know it doesn't tell me if our beardie is getting enough, since that also depends on how much time they spend under the lights. No apparent problem, because he spends most of his day worshiping light bulbs, and no evidence of MBD so I guess we're doing something right.

So I'd vote for "T5 mounted outside", but you can probably still make do with "T8 mounted inside" as long as your beardie can get close enough to it without tangling himself up in the cord or whatever.

 

[Soozn79]

I'm so glad I found this question - I was wondering the same thing. Brand new beardie owner, I've done loads of research and ended up buying a 24" hood w a Reptisun T5 HO 10.0 bulb. (The hood came with a 5.0 but I swapped it out for the 10.0.)
We have an ExoTerra 40g Large Low (12" high) terrarium so our guy has better, closer access to his lighting. All our temps are right on but I've been worried about whether I still need to try to get the uvb light inside the tank. So at least I feel a little better about that.
Should I have gotten a longer hood though? The tank is 36" long. The hood is 24" and sits next to the basking lamp rather than behind it.

 

[CooperDragon]

24'' is good. Scoot the fixture right next to the basking area so there is part of the tank with little to no UVB. It's good to create a UVB gradient just as you do with heat. Options will allow them to self regulate and get what they need at any given time.

 

[Soozn79]

24'' is good. Scoot the fixture right next to the basking area so there is part of the tank with little to no UVB. It's good to create a UVB gradient just as you do with heat. Options will allow them to self regulate and get what they need at any given time.

Got it, thank you!

 

[SHBailey]

24'' is good. Scoot the fixture right next to the basking area so there is part of the tank with little to no UVB. It's good to create a UVB gradient just as you do with heat. Options will allow them to self regulate and get what they need at any given time.

Got it, thank you!

Good for you for doing your research :study: and getting one of the best UV lights for your beardie. And the HO will be fine on top of the tank on top of the screen (if that's what you have) just as long as the mesh isn't too fine, especially with the setup you describe. And good for you also for catching the 5.0 and swapping it out for a 10.0. I wish they wouldn't sell them that way -- I've got a couple of 5.0s myself that I'm going to have to figure out what to do with. :roll:

 

[Gretchen]

24'' is good. Scoot the fixture right next to the basking area so there is part of the tank with little to no UVB. It's good to create a UVB gradient just as you do with heat. Options will allow them to self regulate and get what they need at any given time.

Got it, thank you!

While reading over these comments i'm so happy i got the T5HO for my Gretchen!!!. The only thing that im worried about is the fixture i have no is a 24" but my tank is 49" long. should i get a longer T5HO FIXTURE??? this is what it looks like now with the UVB and basking light to the right. Is there too much darkness in the left corner?? i think it covers about 3/4 of the tank. What do you guys think?

 

[SHBailey]

You're probably ok for UV at the basking area, but it looks like you could use a little more light on the left side; probably just a plain white lamp will do. Also, you want your temperature at the "cool" (relatively speaking) end to be about 80 degrees F, and up to around 105 F at the basking area, so try set up lights that will get you those kinds of temps.

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree 24'' is fine. It's long enough to provide even basking under the light but also allows other areas of the tank to have little to no UVB which is good because it provides options just as you do with the heat gradient.

 

[Gretchen]

You're probably ok for UV at the basking area, but it looks like you could use a little more light on the left side; probably just a plain white lamp will do. Also, you want your temperature at the "cool" (relatively speaking) end to be about 80 degrees F, and up to around 105 F at the basking area, so try set up lights that will get you those kinds of temps.

Cool side is roughly 75 to 80 and basking is always between 105 and 108. So what kind of plain light should I get for the other side? Thx for tour help ?

 

[kyleena29]

It depends how you want to set it up. I have a 6500k fluorescent T5 tube for light. If you will use a dome and set it on top you can use a "daylight equivelant" led bulb. They don't put out much heat at all but will provide bright light.

 

[Gretchen]

It depends how you want to set it up. I have a 6500k fluorescent T5 tube for light. If you will use a dome and set it on top you can use a "daylight equivelant" led bulb. They don't put out much heat at all but will provide bright light.

I would prefer to use the dome as I already have extra fixtures. Can I find the daylight bulbs at the pet store?

 

[kyleena29]

Probably not. Hardware stores even Walmart carries them.