Oh and is this a 5.0 or 10.0?

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yes exoterra (hagen), Zoomed, and Zilla are all abandoning the T12, and have switched to the T8 size. we no longer get these in, and when we sell them at work we will no longer carry T12 anything. most of the new fixtures sold for reptiles in the past 2 years or so have been T8 as well. this transition first made its way from Fish tank hoods, and is now onto reptiles. I myself was wondering what people would do, or if they had to replace their fixtures

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"At the end of the day the truth is all we have"

Wonder why they were slow to transition with the reptile biz... I did notice how the fish sections at pet stores are T8... just never really thought of why.

Kevin,

Will the new 5.0 fit in the 48 inch Home Depot fixture?

Are the new bulbs not putting out the same UVB as the old ones?

Nick

they are supposed to have the same uvb per cu2, and use less power while emitting the same amount of light ect.

and yes. if you get a T8 one, but i got my fixture at lowes for 20$ though i had to wire it myself

The issue I have run into is that the 10.0 lamps I have purchased from LLL Reptile are not outputting the correct amount of UVB (I believe). When I contacted Zoo Med to tell them of my issues I was instructed to send them my T12 10.0 48" lamps. Ashley told me the one lamp (that worked) did output low amounts of UVB. They then shipped me replacements.... But the replacement was a T8 10.0 48" lamp. So I called to say "WTH?" and was told that T12 lamps are no longer made. I then went to LLL Reptile to purchase some more T12 lamps... The two I purchased were not good. One lamp did not output enough UVB and the other burned out when installed and power applied. I went to LLL Reptile AGAIN and said "this lamp doesn't work, can I try a couple in your store before I leave?' I was allowed and two of the lamps I tested did not seem up to par. I took one as an exchange for the burned out lamp. I plan to send my two lamps which I believe to be outputting low amounts of UVB, to Zoo Med.

This thread is to alert those who may be buying T12 lamps and fixtures to be aware that T12 lamps are no longer made and that after the stock rooms have been cleared of T12 lamps, T8 will be your only option. This isn't really a bad thing..... unless you operate a lot of T12 lamps with T12 fixtures that can not operate the T8 lamps. Magnetic ballast fixtures don't capable. As soon as I can get my hands on a 10.0 T12 lamp that seems to be outputting the correct amount of UVB or I am told 'thats all ya get, shut up' I will test my T8 lamps in a T12 fixture (that has the balls to power the T8 lamp) and see if there is a difference in UVB output between a T8 lamp in a T12 vs. T8 fixture.

I have been able to operate my T8 lamps in a T12 fixture that I operate above two sets of cages. These fixtures are the $22 range T12 Sylvania fixture you'll find at Home Depot. These fixtures require you to buy a power cord and power cord strain relief in order to operate. I also plan to buy a similar T8 fixture for comparison.

I have no experience with the T8 5.0 Zoo Med Reptisun. All T12 lamps from Zoo Med are no longer in production and will only be available until current stock is depleted. I was told some sized lamps have stock available that may last up to two years.... I was not told which size that is.

Today I tried to contact Ashley but she wasn't able to take my call (was on another call). I left a message with the receptionist. I was contacted by someone else (Steve) and instructed to return his call tomorrow (it was late in the day). I will return the call and let you guys know what I find out.

Yes, the reason T8 has been chosen is because the fixtures and lamps operate more efficiently.... more "green". Yet they still produce the same amount of light. I was told that T12 fixtures don't meet building codes anymore... at least in CA. In the UK I guess T8s have been in use for 15 years.... Zoo Med has made the T12 Lamp specifically for the US market, no one else. So they finally said "enough' and made the jump. I don't really have an issue with this since I can still buy T12 lamps from LLL. The issue I do have is that the ones I am buying don't seem to have the right amount of output. If the output is not correct I'd like to make Zoo Med aware that a batch of lamps isn't meeting the high standard we are all expecting. It just so happens that at this time I was made aware that T12s are no longer made and how much better th T8 should be for all of us.

When I get my conversion thread going I will post a link here. T12 and T8 use the same pin configuration so the lamps fit the same sockets. The difference is the ballast regulating the power to the lamp.

even though zoo med has admitted the switch to t-8 for all of their lamps , they were unable or unwilling to name those who are selling them, i have found them in some sizes that were previously t-12, but an exhaustive search has failed to find anybody shipping the 5.0 24" IN T-8, i would love to hear from anyone who knows where to get the 5.0-24" in t-8/ edit also wondering why a 5.0 t-8 would be harder to fire than a 5.0 t-12 of the same length ? you would think that having a smaller interior to the bulb would make it easier to strike ? or are there other manufacturing differences other than the diam ?

I just recieved my t12 from LLL about 4 weeks ago. Now I guess I have to give in a get a light meter. Damn I have been trying to save the money but that is over!! And I just spent $250 getting a good roach colony going. Hope those bugs get here from both guys, i will be to broke to buy crickets soon.

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Laurie