Lighting for huge cage - HELP

[kokom05lb]

Ok so I need a little advice about Ringo and Starr's enclosure. I'm adding onto Ringo's enclosure making it big enough to divide for the 2. Right now the enclosure is 27" wide, 33" long, and 48" tall without stand, 6' tall with stand. Adding on to it to make it 60" long. It will be divided in the middle so Ringo can't see Starr and Starr can't see Ringo.

Starr's side will have access to a laying bin that's a medium size trash can. I'm also thinking about making a separate compartment for supplements, and other supplies. It will also have room for the roach and cricket bins.

Ringo's side will have a section for Freckles. Since Freckles runs the room, this section will be for him while he sleeps and when we are gone.

My question is what size light would I need that would fit both sides? I'm buying from lightyourreptiles.com

 

[deadhd5]

Sorry, no advice here on the lights... However that sounds awesome and i can't wait to see some pictures!

 

[nightanole]

Ok you got 11 square feet of tank area. I recommend 10 watts per square foot + basking lights. So about 110 watts, So a double 46" HO in the middle with basking lights on opposite sides should do it. That would get you about a 4ft fixture in the middle with less than a foot in either side, and over a foot gap along the tank to place basking lights and misters.

 

[tony19]

Well for the ballast.....it would need to be as long as your gonna make the your inclosure.....as for heating i cant say. If your gonna keep it that tall i would say go a little higher in wattage then you have and play around.....or the best thing you can do is ask todd from (lightyourreptiles.com)

Hope that helps......mabe some more expirenced members can help you out some more....and correct me if im wrong on anything

 

[kokom05lb]

Ok you got 11 square feet of tank area. I recommend 10 watts per square foot + basking lights. So about 110 watts, So a double 46" HO in the middle with basking lights on opposite sides should do it. That would get you about a 4ft fixture in the middle with less than a foot in either side, and over a foot gap along the tank to place basking lights and misters.

ok awesome thank you... How about mist king? I was thinking about the $99 one but idk if I need to buy extras or not.

 

[Carlton]

Ok so I need a little advice about Ringo and Starr's enclosure. I'm adding onto Ringo's enclosure making it big enough to divide for the 2. Right now the enclosure is 27" wide, 33" long, and 48" tall without stand, 6' tall with stand. Adding on to it to make it 60" long. It will be divided in the middle so Ringo can't see Starr and Starr can't see Ringo.

Starr's side will have access to a laying bin that's a medium size trash can. I'm also thinking about making a separate compartment for supplements, and other supplies. It will also have room for the roach and cricket bins.

Ringo's side will have a section for Freckles. Since Freckles runs the room, this section will be for him while he sleeps and when we are gone.

My question is what size light would I need that would fit both sides? I'm buying from lightyourreptiles.com

I've used 48" double fluorescent fixtures (heavier ballasts such as aquarium hoods) for a 5' wide cage and added several small basking spots (you could use 1 or 2 lower watt lamps on each side). The other issue you may run into is enough general lighting for your plants. I'd suggest mounting a single tube fluorescent vertically (such as mounting it to the corner of the cage frame facing into it so you don't have to stare right into it when you look at the cage) on each half as well. Otherwise you may have trouble keeping your plants full and bushy if the lower area of the cage is too dark. These vertical tube fixtures are a great way to use up "spent" Reptisuns until they burn out completely.

 

[Decadancin]

I would suggest either a 48" dual fixture with 1 D3 T5HO bulb and 1 6500 plant bulb. They are bright enough so you should not have to worry about going from one end to the other! (great reflector) Otherwise, you could use two 24" dual fixtures with 22" D3 and 6500 T5's. The lighting will be great for the plants and your chams, and I LOVE my new Arcadia fixture (quad T5HO with LED moonlight!) The enclosure looks so much brighter and Zaphod is more active and colorful! If you are concerned with the amount of light (which you wont be with the Arcadias!) you could even incorperate an LED strip light for added brightness. Todd at LYR was great to deal with and will not steer you wrong. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[kokom05lb]

What's the dimensions of the light fixture? Im looking at the 48" but was wondering how tall it is and how wide. I have a spot but need to know if I have enough clearance lol

 

[kokom05lb]

Wanted to put up how the progress is going...

 

[kokom05lb]

Talked my husband into letting me buy the double bulb fixture from lightyourreptiles the one with the 6500 bulb for free. Ordering it on the 15th so it's going to put a pushback on finishing the enclosure. But I need to get some of it finished since Starr is gravid

 

[kokom05lb]

Just order my lights excited now I need to get Starr's side finished.

 

[kokom05lb]

Wanted to update on how the cage project is going. Had rain for a couple of days so had to let it set out to dry.. But heres some of it, still working on it. As you can notice theres a cut out for Starr's laying bin that will have a cover over it when shes not gravid (trash can has been cleaned out since this pic was taken)

 

[kokom05lb]

Moved Starr and Ringo in their enclosures last night. I would take pics but don't have them decorated enough. All I'll say is that this is the first time Starr has been in such a huge cage that last night she was EVERYWHERE in it. In one corner to the next, down in her plants, up close by the lights. She was everywhere! Ringo was like OMG I'm back in my normal size home!!!