T5 HO Heat

[deadhd5]

I just received my first Arcadia T5HO setup (dual bulb 24"). Do folks that currently use these bulbs place them on the top of the cage, or do you suspend them some distance from the top due to heat?

I noticed they get hotter than the T8 reptisun bulbs and my little guy does enjoy clinging to the ceiling, so I am looking forward to some advice from those with T5 experience.

Thanks!

 

[Hoj]

i do find that they do get alot warmer but it is mostly the ballast. I have not had any issues witht he chams getting to close to the bulbs.

 

[Decadancin]

I have mine basically at the screen. There isn't much heat output from it. I am running 4 bulbs in mine (one UVB 6%, two 6500k and one plant pro).

 

[HyperC]

Not to jack a thread but how do I contact Lightyourreptiles!!!!? I see no phone number

 

[deadhd5]

No problem HyperC, I am anxious to promote Todd's business because of the great products and even better customer service.

lightyourreptiles.com or PM member Venutus1.

 

[nightanole]

They put out 2x the heat as a normal bulb, but still its not very hot and the bulb should be at least a 1/2" imbedded into the fixture unless you have some weird hood. I have mine resting on the cage and the screen never gets warm. The aluminum hood might get 15 degrees hotter than ambient at worst.

 

[deadhd5]

They put out 2x the heat as a normal bulb, but still its not very hot and the bulb should be at least a 1/2" imbedded into the fixture unless you have some weird hood. I have mine resting on the cage and the screen never gets warm. The aluminum hood might get 15 degrees hotter than ambient at worst.

Thanks for the response. I am using the lights with a PennPlax Reptology cage which has a plexiglass front door (all else is screen). It seems that when I put the double T5's (did I mention it was a double tube fixture?) directly onto the cage top it creates about an 85 degree ambient temp at the top of the cage, which is a little too large a hotspace for my juvi panther. I raised it above the cage a couple inches for now, but will probably return it to the top of the cage when he is full grown.

 

[nightanole]

ya i got the double bulb, but my screen top is 2ft by 2ft and i have screen on all 4 sides. raising it up might help for misting. The things uv sweet spot extends close to a foot deeper into the cage so floating up to 6" is fine. Are you running 2 6% or a 6% and a 6500k non uv bulb?

 

[deadhd5]

I am running a 6% along with a ZooMeed Ultra Sun 6500k.

I love how it has brightened up the cage and my chameleon seems to spend more time at the top of his cage now, soaking in the rays. Add in the 1 year lifespan, and I am pretty pleased with the investment.

 

[ChamMan7]

I wouldnt worry too much about resting the fixture directly on the screen. As Hoj said most of the heat is from the ballast anyways. I set mine directly on all of my cages and have had no issues.

 

[nightanole]

nice i got 2 46" ultra suns for $32 shipped from aquarium guys.

 

[deadhd5]

Thats enough light to keep a small jungle going through one of our gray, depressing Ohio winters!