T5 and T8 bulbs and fixtures?

[BradKellerDA]

Hello all,

I was looking into getting a 3 or 4 foot long uvb bulb to cover most of the indoor enclosure for the upcoming winter months. I was having a difficult time finding the fixtures for most of these bulbs outside of just using an aquarium/terrarium hood. I was wondering what you all would recommend using? T5 or T8 bulbs? The size? Which brands? And which fixtures would you recommend using for the bulbs? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Especially with the types of fixtures. I'm having no luck finding the lighting fixtures. Most hardware stores don't seem to carry them anymore and are moving more towards LED. Thanks!!

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum, @BradKellerDA !

Sorry, cannot help you. I'll tag the experienced members here.

@Yvonne G
@Tom
@Tidgy's Dad

your help would be appreciated here. Thanks!

 

[BradKellerDA]

A very warm welcome to the forum, @BradKellerDA !

Sorry, cannot help you. I'll tag the experienced members here.

@Yvonne G
@Tom
@Tidgy's Dad

your help would be appreciated here. Thanks!

Thanks you!!

 

[Tom]

Hello all,

I was looking into getting a 3 or 4 foot long uvb bulb to cover most of the indoor enclosure for the upcoming winter months. I was having a difficult time finding the fixtures for most of these bulbs outside of just using an aquarium/terrarium hood. I was wondering what you all would recommend using? T5 or T8 bulbs? The size? Which brands? And which fixtures would you recommend using for the bulbs? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Especially with the types of fixtures. I'm having no luck finding the lighting fixtures. Most hardware stores don't seem to carry them anymore and are moving more towards LED. Thanks!!

Hi Brad. Here is where I get all my UV tubes: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

I recommend one tube in the 5000-6500K color range set on the same timer as your basking bulb, and a second separate 12%HO tube set on its own timer to come on for 3-4 hours mid day, to simulate the daily UV spike that happens outside. Be sure to mount whatever UV bulb you get at the correct height. Best to use a UV meter to make sure you are getting enough UV at tortoise level, but not too much. Here is the meter to get:
https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html
Having the meter will not only ensure your tortoise is getting the correct UV levels, but it will also save you money in the long run because you won't be replacing bulbs every six months that are working fine. My Arcadia bulbs are three years old and still making great UV.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi Brad. Here is where I get all my UV tubes: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

I recommend one tube in the 5000-6500K color range set on the same timer as your basking bulb, and a second separate 12%HO tube set on its own timer to come on for 3-4 hours mid day, to simulate the daily UV spike that happens outside. Be sure to mount whatever UV bulb you get at the correct height. Best to use a UV meter to make sure you are getting enough UV at tortoise level, but not too much. Here is the meter to get:
https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html
Having the meter will not only ensure your tortoise is getting the correct UV levels, but it will also save you money in the long run because you won't be replacing bulbs every six months that are working fine. My Arcadia bulbs are three years old and still making great UV.

Thank you, Tom!

 

[BradKellerDA]

Hi Brad. Here is where I get all my UV tubes: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

I recommend one tube in the 5000-6500K color range set on the same timer as your basking bulb, and a second separate 12%HO tube set on its own timer to come on for 3-4 hours mid day, to simulate the daily UV spike that happens outside. Be sure to mount whatever UV bulb you get at the correct height. Best to use a UV meter to make sure you are getting enough UV at tortoise level, but not too much. Here is the meter to get:
https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html
Having the meter will not only ensure your tortoise is getting the correct UV levels, but it will also save you money in the long run because you won't be replacing bulbs every six months that are working fine. My Arcadia bulbs are three years old and still making great UV.

Thanks for all the help, Tom!!! It's greatly appreciated!!

 

[Sterant]

Brad - These are the fixtures I use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H1C7NA/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

4 bulb T5. Very high quality. Warning - they put out a significant amount of heat, so keep that in mind. Recently I have been running one Reptisun 10.0 HO T5 bulb and then 2 6500k grow light bulbs - I leave one of the 4 spots open, which the ballast is rated for. Using your solar meter 6.5 you will see that 1 UV bulb puts out the proper amount of UV with the fixture about 12" to 18" above the substrate. By Proper amount of UV, I use the Ferguson Zone data and look for a UVI reading of 4.5 to 5.