After seeing many questions about lighting requirements and schedules, I decided to show how Zaphod's lighting has been modified for the winter months. First, let me explain the basic set up. I have tried to make a more realistic heating and brightness through the use of timers and multiple fixtures. I have two dome fixtures with standard 65 watt bulbs for basking sites, as well as one Arcadia quad T5 HO fixture. This is probably overkill, but I do love to spoil my kids! 
The Arcadia has two sets of two T5 22" bulbs as well as blue LED lights that are all on separate plugs. This allows for what I feel is the ultimate lighting for an indoor enclosure.
Sunrise this time of year is roughly 7 AM and sunset about 5:30 PM. For the summer months I will adjust the times accordingly.
The lighting schedule is as follows:
6:30 AM - Blue LED "moonlight" comes on 1/2 hour before any others. This gives a soft blue light to the leaves in the enclosure.
7:00 AM - one 6% Arcadia T5 HO and one 6500 T5 bulb come on.
7:30 AM - LED's go off.
8:00 AM - First 65 watt basking bulb comes on. This is the side of the enclosure where the sun rises towards the front of the house.
12 noon - T5 6500 and T5 plant pro come on.
1:00 PM - Second 65 watt basking bulb comes on. This one is on the opposite side of the enclosure and a little farther from the basking vine. It is also on the side of the house where the sun sets.
4:30 PM - Basking spot from early morning goes off. This allows Zaphod to have to follow the direction of natural light outside to find a basking area later in the day.
5:00 PM - T5 6500 and plant pro go off.
5:30 PM Blue LED lights come on.
5:45 PM - Second basking spot goes off.
6:00 PM - Arcadia 6% and 6500 bulbs go off. Only the LED "moonlight" remains on. Again a soft blue light shines off the leaves in the enclosure.
7:00 PM - LED lights go off for the evening. No lighting or heat emitter is used overnight. Temps are never below 50 degrees so this is a non issue.
Temperatures in the enclosure are around 84 degrees at the top, with basking areas of 90 to 94 depending on the day. The temps at the lower areas are around 75 degrees during the day. The overnight temps are usually around 65 degrees during the winter and more like 73 to 75 during the summer.
The bottom line with this system is that I tried to mimic nature as much as possible. I found as the sun set a bit earlier each day that Zaphod put himself to bed as well! Why fight it.
Hope this gives you some ideas and helps answer some questions! Let me know what you think.
Special thanks to Todd at Light Your Reptiles [email protected] for all the information he provided, as well as the great service! Awesome product!!!
The Arcadia has two sets of two T5 22" bulbs as well as blue LED lights that are all on separate plugs. This allows for what I feel is the ultimate lighting for an indoor enclosure.Sunrise this time of year is roughly 7 AM and sunset about 5:30 PM. For the summer months I will adjust the times accordingly.
The lighting schedule is as follows:
6:30 AM - Blue LED "moonlight" comes on 1/2 hour before any others. This gives a soft blue light to the leaves in the enclosure.
7:00 AM - one 6% Arcadia T5 HO and one 6500 T5 bulb come on.
7:30 AM - LED's go off.
8:00 AM - First 65 watt basking bulb comes on. This is the side of the enclosure where the sun rises towards the front of the house.
12 noon - T5 6500 and T5 plant pro come on.
1:00 PM - Second 65 watt basking bulb comes on. This one is on the opposite side of the enclosure and a little farther from the basking vine. It is also on the side of the house where the sun sets.
4:30 PM - Basking spot from early morning goes off. This allows Zaphod to have to follow the direction of natural light outside to find a basking area later in the day.
5:00 PM - T5 6500 and plant pro go off.
5:30 PM Blue LED lights come on.
5:45 PM - Second basking spot goes off.
6:00 PM - Arcadia 6% and 6500 bulbs go off. Only the LED "moonlight" remains on. Again a soft blue light shines off the leaves in the enclosure.
7:00 PM - LED lights go off for the evening. No lighting or heat emitter is used overnight. Temps are never below 50 degrees so this is a non issue.
Temperatures in the enclosure are around 84 degrees at the top, with basking areas of 90 to 94 depending on the day. The temps at the lower areas are around 75 degrees during the day. The overnight temps are usually around 65 degrees during the winter and more like 73 to 75 during the summer.
The bottom line with this system is that I tried to mimic nature as much as possible. I found as the sun set a bit earlier each day that Zaphod put himself to bed as well!
Why fight it. Hope this gives you some ideas and helps answer some questions! Let me know what you think
.
Special thanks to Todd at Light Your Reptiles [email protected] for all the information he provided, as well as the great service! Awesome product!!!
