Arcadia Bulbs.? Best way to go.?

[mychamtini112012]

So I recently posted a thread about how to light my large enclosure I was getting. I was going to go with one four foot, and one two foot tube fixture, as the enclosure will be six feet long. I was just going to go with a repti-sun, but have read a lot about the different bulbs and I'm considering the arcadia bulbs. The fixtures for these are kind of expensive though, so I was wondering if there is a cheaper place to buy them.?

 

[Whatcamo]

Here ya go best DIY parts around great prices too
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...aquarium-lighting/t5-retro-fit-kits-and-parts

 

[mychamtini112012]

Okay, so I don't really know a lot about the whole light stuff, so are these like parts to switch a regular fixture to a T5 fixture.? Sorry, I'm confused.

 

[kokom05lb]

Im curious too. I'll be starting my homemade enclosure on the 15th and be done with it bythe time Ringo is old enough to be transferred to it (around May). So, I'll keep looking on this post to see whats up.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

I would recommend the Arcadias, and yes those are all the parts to convert a regular T8 fixture. Thats not to say there is anything wrong w/ Reptisuns/glo's, they're tried and true. Its another great option to choose from.

 

[Whatcamo]

Yes when you said Arcadia I was assuming you were talking about the t5's and at this point as reliable and as proven as they've been in the aquarium industry I wouldn't choose anything else I know t5 are going on my free range
And if you'd like I could link are the parts I'd recommend for your set up

 

[bradley]

The T5 lights are great and so are the T8 bulbs. all Arcadia bulbs only need replacing once a year opposed to exo terra and zoomed bulbs which is twice a year!

 

[mychamtini112012]

Yes when you said Arcadia I was assuming you were talking about the t5's and at this point as reliable and as proven as they've been in the aquarium industry I wouldn't choose anything else I know t5 are going on my free range
And if you'd like I could link are the parts I'd recommend for your set up

Anything you can link me to to help me out would be fantastic! I don't know everything I'd need to change it over. Is it hard.? Or extremely expensive.?

 

[Whatcamo]

Well how many bulbs are you looking to do? A UVB bulb and another bulb for more lighting or are you looking to add enough light for excellent plant growth as well?

 

[mychamtini112012]

Well I was thinking of getting the two bulb fixtures, one bulb for UVB and the other for plant growth.

 

[EvilLost]

If you are not electrically capable, I would recommend against doing the electrical work yourself. One consideration that most people do not think about is the potential effect on your INSURANCE if something goes wrong. Since you are not a licensed electrician or retailer, in most instances if you do your own electrical work, and for some reason the house burns down....

your insurance will NOT cover you.

Just something to keep in mind when you are saving a mere $50 or so today. Can't turn off the lawyer in me...sorry


In regards to lighting: why not just use T8s? You can get T8 fixtures pretty cheaply, and unless you have some insane planted display setup (in which case I'd recommend LED lighting) then some basic T8's should more than suffice for your plants....I don't see the need on spending extra money for high output T5s fixtures honestly....

a simple 2 bulb T8 fixture can house 1x Reptisun 5.0 and 1x 6500k daylight bulb for plenty of light (assuming basic 2x2x4 with "some" plants). Similarly, I would recommend using a 6500K Clear Daylight incandescent bulb in your heat fixture as well as the heat will benefit your chams while the full spectrum benefits your plants.

Did I miss something?

 

[Whatcamo]

Yes that is true with most general hardware however the equipment I linked to is very simple to put together you only have to follow a very easy to follow diagram and just have to hook the wiring to the end caps which is just a slip in design very simple also the end caps are water tight cant get much safer than that around our misting systems
On that size enclosures I'd recommend 4-36" t5's as you're going to get great coverage and you could set up two in the back two in the front and have one with UVB and then you could place your basking bulb in the middle it would be a very clean set up and your also. E able to keep any plant in there you decided to in the future also t5 bulbs have a higher lumen / watt than t8's and better burn time which equals long run money saver so here's what I'd recommend for you

Ballast for 4
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...m-workhorse-7-t5-ho-fluorescent-ballasts.html
Ballast for 2
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...m-workhorse-5-t5-ho-fluorescent-ballasts.html
Reflectors you'd need 4 or 2
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...and-parts/36in-t5-tek-ii-retro-reflector.html
And you'll need end caps 8 total
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...s/single-water-proof-socket-for-t5-bulbs.html