can someone please explain new lights

[ChamFreak]

I keep seeing this "lightyourreptile" and look in there and so confused, I get it is double lights?

I mean all I notice is the price is almost triple from what I am used to and I have no clue what to get for a panther setup. Any chance someone can direct me to best lighting for the panther setup?

I am so used to getting the old reptisun 5.0 bulb and $25 hood, now its like 150?

 

[ChamFreak]

Found a few threads on this, so I guess what I need to know is they have the double and quad setup. I see alot are using the double and one acadia 6% and then the grow bulb, is the quad much better? I mean I get more means more but does it make it better or does the double do just fine?

 

[sharp229]

LightYourReptiles sells T5 HO fluorescent fixtures. The old fixtures are based on T8 fluorecents. T5's are thinner and output much higher quantities of visible light as well as additional UVB. There are many other manufacturers of T5 fixtures and bulbs as well, since it is an industry standard. However, I've had very good experience with LYR for all-in-one 6500k/UVB systems and their prices are very reasonable for T5.

Having more than a single bulb is mostly for plants and for increasing the ambient lighting in the cage. You can still use a good quality T8 UVB bulb and basking bulb successfully, the T5's are just newer, more energy efficient, and output more light/UVB. You can find more info about fluorescent bulb types here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent-lamp_formats

If you do want to switch to T5 and have a 24x24x48 cage, you can get a dual-bulb fixture like the one below for cheaper:
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24hot5dobufi.html

The 4-bulb fixture is $50 more and provides more light for plants/ambient light.

 

[ChamFreak]

Amazing reply sir, thank you! So basiclly if you want more lighting and better for plant life the quad is the way to go however the dual work great?

Thanks a million, lots change in a year lol Now I better check to see if repashy is still best to use

 

[sharp229]

Yeah, the quad fixture will let you have double or more visible light, but you still don't need more than one 6% UVB bulb for chameleons. So choosing between the quad or the double is mostly decided by whether you want better plant growth or high-light plants. There is never too much light for plants, but you just have to decide how important that is for you. I have both types of fixtures for different cages and they are both great.

If cost is the most important factor, and you are not worried about the plants, you can also get a single-bulb T5 HO fixture with a ReptiSun 5.0 HO for $50:

http://www.lllreptile.com/products/22467-zoo-med-24-t5-high-output-terrarium-hood

If you use the single bulb fixture you will probably have the best luck with things like pothos that need very little light. It is still a lot better than a single bulb T8, but not nearly as bright as a 2-bulb fixture.

 

[ChamFreak]

Great information, your time is appreciated helped me decide what to do