An inexpensive space saving lighting option?

ZEROPILOT

Avid Member
My Chameleons are thriving. However. I'm having issues with space on top of my 3 REPTIBREEZE XXL cages. Each has a T5 HO UVB strip tube fixture. A T5 plant grow light (thankfully Im only growing low light tolerant pathos) a spot light. A dripper and MISTKING nozzles.
Recently I found these on Amazon. They're 24" and T5 HO twin tube fixtures.
While I'm not sure if they're as good as my old REPTISUN fixtures. And I'm sure they aren't up to par with the Arcadia lights. Especially the reflectors. However. These are far less expensive and are easy to obtain.
I plan on removing one of the included plant tubes and popping in one T5 HO 10.0 in each. Then "Daisy" chaining them to eliminate a lot of clutter and a couple of timers.
I'll report back after I've used these for a week or so. I'll include photos and uvb readings

https://www.amazon.com/DuroLux-DL822N-Fluorescent-Lighting-Reflector/dp/B0721TG86M/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?keywords=24"+6500k&qid=1640208280&rnid=2470954011&sr=8-12#
 
OK....So...
I installed one on each of my 3 Chameleons cages. The first thing a noticed was how beautiful the 6,500K tubes made everything look!
No longer dim and dingy. Now the cages look like they're outside. (At least near the top)
Those poor lizards are already showing colors like they almost never did.
Now, about the 10.0 UVB tube, let's just say that the reflectors on these fixtures are not Arcadia quality. They're not even ZOOMED quality.
These fixtures, with a new HO 10.0 tube and through a screen top deliver a semi underwhelming UVB level of 5 at 8" and about 2.4 at 12". And it's a pretty wide distribution area.
So....The reflectors aren't horrible.
But these are still going to be a decent option for my setups.
They come with two HO 6,500K plant lights for each fixture as well as swag chains to suspend them. So theres nothing else to buy. Just replace one of the tubes with your 22"(24) Reptisun or Arcadia uvb. And you're good.
They're as good as I hoped.
I do fully recommend them as a simple twin tube option.
 
So theres nothing else to buy. Just replace one of the tubes with your 22"(24) Reptisun or Arcadia uvb. And you're good.
Except replacement bulbs every year. There's currently no good LED option for UVB, however a good LED plant light will be self-contained and last for 5 years. More economical, and no mercury.
 

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