Silly light question....

[vgaines]

OK..here goes. I have the light and fixture from a 40 Gal fish tank and I would like to put a UVB bulb in the fixture for Rebels enclosure so I can get rid of my CFL UVB. I was wanting to order the bulb from Light Your Reptiles because I want a good bulb. My problem is the bulb is old and I do not see what kind of bulb it is T-8 etc. Also the fixture says 30" and I'm not sure how to measure the bulb so I get the correct length. I have a shorter light fixture that I would like to get a UVB for also for my bearded dragon. Can someone explain to me how to measure the length and how to tell if its a T-8 etc. Thank you so much..
Virginia

 

[nightanole]

Its a T8. Now for the next question, its a 30" hood. That should mean its a 24" bulb. They only come in 18" and 24", so it should be easy to tell...

On the LYR site you want:

http://lightyourreptiles.com/d3rela24fall.html if its a short tank, or:

http://lightyourreptiles.com/ard3rela24fa.html this one if its a 3-4 footer tall.

 

[carol5208]

make sure if it has plastic covering you remove it. I know my fish tank fixture has one and the uvb will not pass through it incase you were not aware.

 

[vgaines]

Its a T8. Now for the next question, its a 30" hood. That should mean its a 24" bulb. They only come in 18" and 24", so it should be easy to tell...

On the LYR site you want:

http://lightyourreptiles.com/d3rela24fall.html if its a short tank, or:

http://lightyourreptiles.com/ard3rela24fa.html this one if its a 3-4 footer tall.

So the 12% will be ok for my veiled as well as my bearded dragon? I am super paranoid about my babies getting MBD or eye problems from the UVB being to strong. My veileds cage is 36" and my bd is in a regular 40gal fish tank. Also, how often would the Arcadia light need to be changed out? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[vgaines]

make sure if it has plastic covering you remove it. I know my fish tank fixture has one and the uvb will not pass through it incase you were not aware.

Thank you and yes I was aware. I am just very unfamiliar with Arcadia lights. Its been years since I use a tube style UVB and fixtures and bulbs have changed a lot. The light fixture was the kind that sat over a glass section on the tank cover. So no glass or plastic in on the fixture. I am a little worried that the inside of the fixture is white. I hope it will still reflect enough UVB into the enclosure. I am on a budget so if I am able to use these old fixtures that would be great.


Thanks a lot for your help....
Virginia

 

[nightanole]

So the 12% will be ok for my veiled as well as my bearded dragon? I am super paranoid about my babies getting MBD or eye problems from the UVB being to strong. My veileds cage is 36" and my bd is in a regular 40gal fish tank. Also, how often would the Arcadia light need to be changed out? Thanks so much for your help.

Nah the T8 12 % arcadia puts out as much uv as the t5 HO 6%. I dont know peoples setups so i try to recommend lamps that make a dead zone of the last 1/3 of the tank.

So say you popped the veiled in the beardy setup, there is no way the cham can get away from the uv (wut is he gonna crawl into the beardy log or something?) if it was a 12%. On the other hand a 12% in the 3ft tall tank will have a dead zone starting at 18" or so, so the cham can regulate its own uv needs.

Ya you can use the 12% for both the cham and beardy. The beardy should have a spot where he can get his head 8" away from the bulb if you can. I just put a log in the tank and they crawl on it to bask. Beardies need about double the uv of a cham.

PS my beardy turned 13 this year. He is the current record holder in the house right now, beating out the 11 year stint of the fat tailed gecko (bought full grown).

 

[vgaines]

Nah the T8 12 % arcadia puts out as much uv as the t5 HO 6%. I dont know peoples setups so i try to recommend lamps that make a dead zone of the last 1/3 of the tank.

So say you popped the veiled in the beardy setup, there is no way the cham can get away from the uv (wut is he gonna crawl into the beardy log or something?) if it was a 12%. On the other hand a 12% in the 3ft tall tank will have a dead zone starting at 18" or so, so the cham can regulate its own uv needs.

Ya you can use the 12% for both the cham and beardy. The beardy should have a spot where he can get his head 8" away from the bulb if you can. I just put a log in the tank and they crawl on it to bask. Beardies need about double the uv of a cham.

PS my beardy turned 13 this year. He is the current record holder in the house right now, beating out the 11 year stint of the fat tailed gecko (bought full grown).

Thanks for the info. I will be going with the 12% for both. The fixture I wanna use for the beardy is smaller so it will need the 18" bulb. He has a cave in his basking area that he can fit under completely. (not sure how long that will last because he is growing like a weed. lol) Am I correct in remembering that the Arcadia lights last closer to a year? Rebel in in a 36" tall enclosure but I will be building or buying a 48" tall one soon.

And wow on your beardy. I am thinking that 13 is a big record and not just in your house.

Thanks again,
Virginia

 

[nightanole]

Ya all arcaidas last a year, unless they are the cheap ones that are labeled six months.

Ya teenage beardies are rare, but he is a male, and i got him at like 60 days His brother kicked the bucket at 9 years. Poor guy doesnt have anyone to head bob with during the spring.