Yet more Light Questions...

[Moozillion]

Still working on getting my enclosure set up. I got a 24" fluorescent light fixture that takes 2 tube bulbs. I have a ReptiSun 5.0 T8 which I have no concerns with, it's my other fluorescent bulb I'm concerned about.

I had gone to both Lowe's and Home Depot looking for "Full Spectrum" 24 inch, tube fluorescents, but no luck. The guy at Lowe's told me this GE bulb was a Full Spectrum bulb, and that he used it in all his aquariums where it made his plants grow really well. It doesn't actually SAY "Full Spectrum" on it anywhere. All I can find (that's in English) is "G.E. Fresh and Salt Aqua;" it has 950 lumens, 18 watt. It says it "makes reds, blues and greens more vibrant." Would this be OK along with my ReptiSun 5.0 or will I be overdoing the UVB for my 4" Hermann's in her 3' x 4' enclosure? I can always take it back, but it I need to take it back, what should I get instead?

 

[wellington]

It will be fine for light. I doubt it will give any uv. I have never found any bulb at a store, other the reptile/pet stores that have uv. Also, you can't give too much uv with lights. None of them even come close to giving out uv like the best uv lighting there is, sun.

 

[dannel]

What light is best for an Eastern box turtle? 10.0 or 5.0, and whats the difference?

 

[lynnedit]

Yeah, Moozillion, any tube fluorescent bulb will do for the second bulb. It is just completing the connection so your Reptisun will work, but as Barb says, won't provide UVB. That's OK, you just want the fixture to work!

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Dannel, the Reptisun 5.0 has less UVB. If it will be farther than 8" from your tort, some herp sites advise using the 10.0.
Here is one source, with info about the Reptisun 5.0 (the Reptisun 10.0's happen to be on sale, so check them out also on this website).

If your fixture is going to up pretty high, or there will be a lot of plants, you might as well go with the 10.0. But if your fixture isn't much more than 8" or so above the tort, and especially for a hatchling, the 5.0 might be nice to start.
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Zoo-Med-Reptisun-Five-5-0-Fluorescent-Bulbs?sc=2&category=19

 

[knives2886]

You will want something in The 6200k and 8000k range to grow plants. On the bulb it will tell you f24 t8 6500k or something between the ranges i said. Those seem to work the best.