Since so many have asked... Solarmeter Readings on Arcadia T5 HO

[Venutus1]

Since so many have asked...

Solarmeter Readings on Arcadia T5 HO

Both in 12% and 6%.

Taken with and with out a screen in place.

You will see why the 6% has more than enough UV "kick" for most average set-ups.

And also the potential now to finally be able to use a flo. bulbs to properly UV free range set ups.

Thanks,
Todd

Please click on the thumbnails to open and enlarge.

 

[Captive Creations]

Thanks Todd Great Info. I am planning on buying these lights in the near future and this will help me decide which one to buy. Thanks again

 

[Hoj]

Nice Todd!!! this is better than what i did LoL.. I cant speak highly enough about these bulbs, the chams love em!!!
I beleive these will become the new standard

 

[Chameleopatrick]

I reviewed my numbers again this morning after one month of use for the 12% bulb. My numbers aren't anywhere near Todd's numbers. He gets 160's at 12" with screen and I get 35-45 with hardware cloth, screen even less at the same distance. I have three different reflectors, all good quality, not the best but good, measured all three. My numbers are about a 1/5 of Todd's which has me greatly confused. His 6% bulbs are putting out way more than my 12%, Hmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[Hdale85]

Hmm..... can you test them without the screen and see if those are similar? Maybe it's something with different screen types.

 

[Venutus1]

I reviewed my numbers again this morning after one month of use for the 12% bulb. My numbers aren't anywhere near Todd's numbers. He gets 160's at 12" with screen and I get 35-45 with hardware cloth, screen even less at the same distance. I have three different reflectors, all good quality, not the best but good, measured all three. My numbers are about a 1/5 of Todd's which has me greatly confused. His 6% bulbs are putting out way more than my 12%, Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Hi Chameleopatrick
Are you using the "HO" T5's or the NO T8's ?


Hmmmmmmmmm....
Because Francis has reviewed these readings and photos and we have compared this data to her Arcadia T5 Data ..... and just now Hoj is getting pretty close to the same thing on his thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/arcadia-t5ho-12-uvb-output-solarmeter-81470/

Are you comparing NO T8 readings to these HO T5 readings? ... or is your Solarmeter reading / working right?

Please let me know.
Thanks!
Todd


HO = High Out-put
NO = Nominal (standard) out-put)

 

[Venutus1]

Originally Posted by Chameleopatrick
I reviewed my numbers again this morning after one month of use for the 12% bulb. My numbers aren't anywhere near Todd's numbers. He gets 160's at 12" with screen and I get 35-45 with hardware cloth, screen even less at the same distance. I have three different reflectors, all good quality, not the best but good, measured all three. My numbers are about a 1/5 of Todd's which has me greatly confused. His 6% bulbs are putting out way more than my 12%, Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Hi Chameleopatrick
Are you using the "HO" T5's or the NO T8's ?


Hmmmmmmmmm....
Because Francis has reviewed these readings and photos and we have compared this data to her Arcadia T5 Data ..... and just now Hoj is getting pretty close to the same thing on his thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/arcadia-t5ho-12-uvb-output-solarmeter-81470/

Are you comparing NO T8 readings to these HO T5 readings? ... or is your Solarmeter reading / working right?

Please let me know.
Thanks!
Todd


HO = High Out-put
NO = Nominal (standard) out-put)

Chameleopatrick-
I also just though of something ... you arn't running the T5 HO bulbs in a NO T5 Fitxure are you?

Like ... using them in a Home Depot T5 fixture?? or Zilla t5 fixture??*

** Big heads up:
The Zilla t5 fixtures can not be used to run Arcadia t5 bulbs.
Why?
Beacuse they are NO or Nominal Out Put, they are not HIGH output fixtures.

The Arcadia T5 bulbs are TRUE High Out-put Flo. Bulbs.
(And need to be driven by a special HO ballast... that is why t5 HO fixtures cost more. )

The Zilla t5 bulbs and fixtures are basically just "skinny" REGULAR flo. lights.
They have barely HALF the wattage and UV out put of the premium HO bulbs.

So are the models of Wallmarts & Home Depot's "undercabinet" T5 lights.
I am not aware if they have HO t5 fixtures.
EXAMPLE:
A nominal Out-put t5 46 Inch bulb is only 28 watts. (Like Zilla)
A HO Arcadia 46" bulb is 54 watts and gives over twice the light output. But needs a HO electronic ballast to function.

Also, NOT ALL aquarium T5 light fixtures are HO.
Many folks try to by the Arcadia t5 bulbs to run in those Deep Blue "HE" T5 fixtures.
Again, they run into the same problem... Arcadia T5 bulbs are HO bulbs and need HO electronic ballasts.


Anyway Chameleopatrick, I wanted to mention this because that WOULD account for the readings that you are getting if this is the case.
Or just throw it out there for anybody else considering upgrading to T5 HO lighting after reading about this or seeing Hoj's thread.

Cheers!
Todd

 

[Chameleopatrick]

T5ho.

I only use T5ho.

I was worried that my solar meter wasn't functioning properly when I saw your numbers. But It was calibrated 2/23/2012.

I just put the meter right on the bulb and read 1557 , but at 12" 59 no screen. I'm using a polished aluminum fixture.

Quite a variance it appears.

 

[Venutus1]

T5ho.

I only use T5ho.

I was worried that my solar meter wasn't functioning properly when I saw your numbers. But It was calibrated 2/23/2012.

I just put the meter right on the bulb and read 1557 , but at 12" 59 no screen. I'm using a polished aluminum fixture.

Quite a variance it appears.

Is the fixture sitting down on the screen or is it raised above it?
And if it is raised ... how far is the fixture raised over the screen?

In the wide shot below, you see I used a standard aquarium screen top with what one could call a "medium" mesh.

The actual bulb itself is approx. 1" away from this medium mesh screen.

 

[Chameleopatrick]

Almost exactly how mine is set up. 1-1.5" above the screen. Does the the output at the bulb seem right? 1550-1700? My fixture claims 6x39 watt t5ho. Maybe the reflector just isn't as good as I thought, however it appears much better than most I have seen. I really want to get the numbers you have or at the very least close the gap.

 

[Venutus1]

Almost exactly how mine is set up. 1-1.5" above the screen. Does the the output at the bulb seem right? 1550-1700? My fixture claims 6x39 watt t5ho. Maybe the reflector just isn't as good as I thought, however it appears much better than most I have seen. I really want to get the numbers you have or at the very least close the gap.

That is so bazzar,

YES.... any bulb will decay over time.
But I would expect a loss of no more than 10% or so.... say... in a month....before they level off to a slower decay rate.

NOTE:
I have just finished e-mailing expert about this scenario. And expect some more data soon. I will report more when we get it.

Hey...in the meantime my friend... why not try lining the fixture (or half of it to compare) with good 'ol tin foil? Picking the "shiney" side "out/down" to get the best results.

Something is unusual here but I bet we can figure it out with our thinking caps firmly on!

Cheers!
Todd

hey... what brand fixture is it and can you post a pic of the reflector?

 

[Venutus1]

Arcadia T-5 Readings at the New Arcadia Reptile Info Website

I wanted to add to this thread that the New Arcadia Reptile Web-site is up and running WITH a whole page devoted to the T5 Info:

http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/example/

It has out-puts at all distances and has pics comparing brightness T-5 to T-8 bulbs!

http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/


Cheers,
Todd
lightyourreptiles.com

 

[Kate]

Don't understand all that but it sounds good. Glad I chose t5 six months ago after reading article in reptile mag. One notiicable thing is it has no flicker.