I'm currently using the 12" version with a 10.0 bulb. Does this HAVE to be inside the vivarium? Isnt it high output so that it can sit in top? It seems made to be outside the viv as there's nothing on it to help suspend it. The screen has small rectangular holes but i wouldn't call it a fine mesh because when I think fine mesh I think of the screen on a window. Any thoughts?
Any bulb can be inside the tank or outside the tank, it all depends on the distance.
For a to HO 10.0, the optimal distance from bulb to basking spot when mesh is blocking the reflector is 8 inches. No mesh = 12 inches.
No reflector halves both distances effectively