UVB Question

[lonzo2020]

Hi all. So I’ve learned about the T5 being better than the T8 that I’m currently using. I’ve now got a T5 10.0 24W HO bulb. My question is, can that be used in my T8 hood? Or do I need the T5 HO hood? Thanks all.

 

[Sadie]

Hi all. So I’ve learned about the T5 being better than the T8 that I’m currently using. I’ve now got a T5 10.0 24W HO bulb. My question is, can that be used in my T8 hood? Or do I need the T5 HO hood? Thanks all.

You need a new fixture -- https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html
T 8 fixtures are different from the T 5's -- they also have different placement from the T 8's -- let me know when you get it I will help you get it placed in the tank

 

[lonzo2020]

You need a new fixture -- https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html
T 8 fixtures are different from the T 5's -- they also have different placement from the T 8's -- let me know when you get it I will help you get it placed in the tank

I’d like to keep it outside of the tank. I currently have a 30x12x12. I’m concerned that the light will be too much in a smaller tank.

 

[Sadie]

I’d like to keep it outside of the tank. I currently have a 30x12x12. I’m concerned that the light will be too much in a smaller tank.

It's a 20 gallon -- use the 5.0 bulb unobstructed if it came w/ it or just use the T 8 till you go to a bigger tank--- the T 8 is perfect for now but it needs to be unobstructed No screen-- take the UVB place width wise on one end butt your screen up to it and place the basking bulb next to it--- you need a piece of basking decor directly underneath 6-8 inches

 

[lonzo2020]

It's a 20 gallon -- use the 5.0 bulb unobstructed if it came w/ it or just use the T 8 till you go to a bigger tank--- the T 8 is perfect for now but it needs to be unobstructed No screen-- take the UVB place width wise on one end butt your screen up to it and place the basking bulb next to it--- you need a piece of basking decor directly underneath 6-8 inches

But the hood is 30”, just like the length of the tank. I can’t put the basking light next to it...

 

[Sadie]

But the hood is 30”, just like the length of the tank. I can’t put the basking light next to it...

It's fine he doesn't need the whole fixture now let it sit width wise on the one end- I used a 18 inch and had it sitting in the middle of my 20 gallon and used the T 8 w/ the basking bulb clamped to the end of the tank-- the T 5 is going to be too strong -- wait what is 30 inches? The T 5 fixture or the T 8? I am confused

 

[lonzo2020]

It's fine he doesn't need the whole fixture now let it sit width wise on the one end- I used a 18 inch and had it sitting in the middle of my 20 gallon and used the T 8 w/ the basking bulb clamped to the end of the tank-- the T 5 is going to be too strong -- wait what is 30 inches? The T 5 fixture or the T 8? I am confused

The T8 hood is 30”. This is how it is currently...

 

[Sadie]

The T8 hood is 30”. This is how it is currently...

T8's haft to be unobstructed- they are not strong enough to go thru screens- the screen blocks 30% of the uvb rays-- take the screen part way off have it sit 3/4 on w/ the UVB fixture sitting width wise across the tank place your basking bulb on the screen as close to the UVB as possible- you need the basking decor piece directly underneath- 6-8 inches--

 

[lonzo2020]

Yeah, I’ve put the UVB resting like that once when I was doing something in the tank and it fell in. I don’t want that to happen when I’m not home. Maybe I’ll try sticking it on with some Velcro stickies

 

[Sadie]

Yeah, I’ve put the UVB resting like that once when I was doing something in the tank and it fell in. I don’t want that to happen when I’m not home. Maybe I’ll try sticking it on with some Velcro stickies

W/ it being that long how did it fall in ?

 

[lonzo2020]

W/ it being that long how did it fall in ?

It’s just long enough that it sits barely flush. The hood and tank are both 30” long. I’ll figure something out. Thanks for your help with all of this

 

[Sadie]

You can set it up this way ----- this is a 20 gallon tank w/ a 18" fixture T 8 --

 

[Jrodkw]

Those T5 bulbs are incredibly strong when they are high output...more so than most people would think. I have a 12 inch shining through a screen in a 40 gallon tank. Upgraded from a T8 18 inch and its made a positive difference for sure in my dragons energy levels and appetite.

 

[Sadie]

Those T5 bulbs are incredibly strong when they are high output...more so than most people would think. I have a 12 inch shining through a screen in a 40 gallon tank. Upgraded from a T8 18 inch and its made a positive difference for sure in my dragons energy levels and appetite.

As long as your screen is a wide hole it will be fine but it MUST be a wide hole type otherwise the fine screen is going to block 30% of the rays --- even tho the T5's are stronger they still cannot penetrate fine mesh

 

[Jrodkw]

As long as your screen is a wide hole it will be fine but it MUST be a wide hole type otherwise the fine screen is going to block 30% of the rays --- even tho the T5's are stronger they still cannot penetrate fine mesh

They do just fine through mesh. And I found out it's when the light fixture has a glass cover...THATS what blocks almost 30% of the UV rays (because it's reflects some of the light back). Mesh screen only blocks about 5% of a T5. For a T8 it's somewhere around 15-20% if I remember right. Plus my dragon goes out in the backyard here in the desert once a day for about an hour as well so he's set.