Zoomed T5 anyone?

[jtrux]

I need to buy a new UVB tube and i'm interested in the Zoomed T5's. Anyone had any luck with them? The terrarium in question is 4' X 4' X 2'. With the subsrtate depth and the light mount, it would end up being approx 18" from the substrate surface.

 

[Tom]

Don't know that one, but I'll bump you back up to the top.

 

[JoesMum]

Zoomed Reptisun T5 tube UVB should be just fine. Get the longest tube that you can and a minimum of 5.0

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Not sure what you mean by "luck"?

The tubes work well and are, for tubes, the most bang for the buck. Use light dispersing reflectors to get more value and a broader illumination.

Will

 

[jtrux]

Not sure what you mean by "luck"?

The tubes work well and are, for tubes, the most bang for the buck. Use light dispersing reflectors to get more value and a broader illumination.

Will

I guess luck was the wrong word. After thinking about it I might just go with a regular ol T8 since it looks like the ballast are more available from local sources like HD and lowes. I'll do a bit more research and make a choice soon.

 

[lynnedit]

That's the main limitation for the T5 bulbs. They are great bulbs, but you have to get the fixture from a reptile supply from my experience so far.
While the T 8 bulb fixtures can be purchased in hardware stores.
Still, you buy bulbs a lot more often than fixtures ( bulbs tend to be the main cost outlay).

 

[jaizei]

18" is pushing it for T8s. T5HO lamps put off more UVB and can be mounted higher.

What size fixture are you looking for?

 

[fieldy]

I'm currently using Zoomed Reptisun T5 10.0 for my tortoise and it's working out great.

The one problem is as lynnedit said, fixtures might be more difficult to come by. I got a Sunblaster T5 plant light fixture from Amazon, and just switched out the bulb. It's a little more pricey but it's a one time cost so I was ok with it.

 

[jtrux]

I ordered a 36" T8. I'll try the T5's some other time.