Are UVB 5.0 bulbs enough for Pothos plants?

[dlaunde]

Hey all,

Finishing up my new and improved enclosure for a future Panther that will include two Pothos plants. The lighting hood is an Exo Terra with dual 15" T8 fluorescent bulbs and a Halogen light for heat. I am using two brand new Exo Terra 5.0 UVB bulbs and a 50w Halogen light (about 86 degrees at basking spot, room air is 70 degrees).

The cage will not be under a window but does receive mild direct sunlight from a nearby window in the evening. Are the UVB 5.0 bulbs enough for Pothos plants? Or should I replace one of the UVB 5.0 bulbs with a dedicated plant bulb?

If so, any recommendations on a 15" T8 bulb for plant growth? And would just one UVB 5.0 Exo Terra bulb be sufficient for my Panther if sitting atop an Exo Terra Reptibreeze cage (average sized screen spacing)?

Thanks!

 

[guanagator]

One 5.0 should be fine and you can get T8 grow bulbs from most big home improvement stores.

 

[dlaunde]

So I should replace one of the UVB bulbs with a dedicated grow bulb for the plants?

 

[guanagator]

So I should replace one of the UVB bulbs with a dedicated grow bulb for the plants?

I would I use the same dual bulb T 8 set up for my montanes with one 5.0 and one big box store grow bulb not sure the brand. It will keep pothos and umbrella plants alive but not high light plants.

 

[dlaunde]

I would I use the same dual bulb T 8 set up for my montanes with one 5.0 and one big box store grow bulb not sure the brand. It will keep pothos and umbrella plants alive but not high light plants.

Thanks!

I'm picking up the Pothos plants this weekend so I'll just get a grow bulb while I'm out and keep the second UVB bulb around as a spare/replacement.

 

[dlaunde]

So, doing a Google search, I cannot find plant/grow bulbs that are 15" in length. It seems the only mainstream size that small is 18". Crud

 

[dlaunde]

From Googling, it seems the Exo Terra 2.0 Repti Glo bulbs work great for plant growth...at least according to a long thread on a frog forum where many of their vivariums have multiple plant species.

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/linear_fluorescent_bulbs.php
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/linear_fluorescent_bulbs.php
Any concerns? They are 6700k, have an OK PAR value (for photosynthesis), and excellent 400-490nm coverage (for plant growth)...at least that is how the frog forum I was reading summed them up/endorsed them. Again, this is for the Exo Terra Repti Glo 2.0 fluorescent bulbs (not the 5.0 or 10.0).