lighting a 2x2x4 cage

[txg8gxp]

I have read through several older posts and have seen many different answers, but I also know things change as people learn more....so my question is how much lighting for my 2x2x4 screen cage. I would really like to add a hibiscus in there aswell, I think the added color would be awesome. I will most likely also have a umbrella and pothos. I already have the dome fixture for the heat lamp, but I plan to buy a t5 fixture to run the acadia's and grow bulbs. My biggest questions is 2 bulb or 4 bulb? Thanks

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

I just ordered a t 5 12% for the same cage size the 22 inch single fixture and ill be using that with a basking bulb. That should he plenty of light

 

[Rottsko]

I don't have Arcadia t5's but I have a t8 reptisun 5.0 and a plant light and that's plenty. I know the arcadias and the t5's are a lot brighter than the t8's so I think you'll be good with just 2.

 

[txg8gxp]

So your plans are for a single t5 plus the basking bulb, you don't think a 5700-6500k bulb for plant growth would be needed? What single bulb fixture did you order? Most I see for reptiles are dual bulb.

I just ordered a t 5 12% for the same cage size the 22 inch single fixture and ill be using that with a basking bulb. That should he plenty of light

 

[AlecWade]

If you plan on using a hibiscus in your enclosure I think that you'll definitely need more than just the t5 and the basking bulb. A basking bulb a uvb tube and atleast one grow tube; two would be better! I think a cage of that size needs a good amount of light for it not to look dark when planted decently densely!

 

[txg8gxp]

Ok, I think I have a plan. I will run two of the 22" single t5 fixtures from lightyourreptiles, one along the front of the cage and one along the back of the cage, one with a 6% acadia and the other with a 6500k plant bulb. In between the two t5 fixtures I will put my 5.5" dome fixture for the heat bulb. Going with 2 single bulb t5 fixtures instead of one dual bulb fixture will allow me to setup timers for a dawn/dusk setup. Anyone see any issues with this setup? Thanks

 

[AngieL]

That sounds like a bit too much lighting and nowhere for your little buddy to hide from it! Is there any way you could put the two strips together?

I use Arcadia t5 12% housed outside, on top of the screen and a regular 75w bulb in a dome fixture for basking. This lights up the entire enclosure and the plants are growing really well! A bit too well actually, I need to trim!

Too much uvb can be a bad thing, you want to have some areas where they can escape the UVB as they don't need to be under it all the time. Also, if it's too bright I there your Cham may get sore eyes and start to hide from the light or close his eyes.

In my 2x2x4, the UVB is along the back and the basking light is just in front of that off to one side.

 

[AngieL]

Sorry I miss read that! I thought you were using four strip lights

I don't know anything about plant lights and don't use one myself so just ignore me!

 

[Wykd]

I woudl say 1 t5 6500 & 1 t5 uvb and basking light would be more than enuff light.

I have a 100w cfl 6500k on one enclosure, I have a t8 6500k on another and I also have a 60w cfl 6500k on one. I think all 3 are sufficent for enough enclosure light, a t5 is brighter than any of the lights I have setup.

I hope that helps you some.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

So your plans are for a single t5 plus the basking bulb, you don't think a 5700-6500k bulb for plant growth would be needed? What single bulb fixture did you order? Most I see for reptiles are dual bulb.

I ordered the single.fixture from lightyourreptiles. I assumed 2 would be over kill and was on a budget.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

Ok, I think I have a plan. I will run two of the 22" single t5 fixtures from lightyourreptiles, one along the front of the cage and one along the back of the cage, one with a 6% acadia and the other with a 6500k plant bulb. In between the two t5 fixtures I will put my 5.5" dome fixture for the heat bulb. Going with 2 single bulb t5 fixtures instead of one dual bulb fixture will allow me to setup timers for a dawn/dusk setup. Anyone see any issues with this setup? Thanks

I have the same setup ATM til today but with zilla Flo lights... not so good. As for dawn dusk timing, Camilles Flo lights come on 30 mins before her basking lamp and 30 mins after the lamp goes off and sometimes ill turn it off when I mist for awhile"random rainstorm"lol id say two of those bulbs will be fine though.