Lights

Buy a48" light and suspend from ceiling

I know we are all on a budget and want to save money. I am all for it just as much as anybody.

Now...
is this the HO t5 fixture you are suggesting people buy at HD over mine, "gotwqqd" ?

To hang over their set ups?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-203137160-_-N

Hmmmm....
It does seem like a good price at first glance at 42.97.
;)

But it has no bulbs or built in reflector.
Without a parabolic reflector -- almost HALF of the light and precious UV goes of into no-man's land and it is not focused sown on the set up.
MUCH less light gets to the plants and less UV to the chams.
IT SORT OF NEGATES THE whole reason one would switch to HO T5!

Now, that could be cheaply rectified by adding *e-hem* .. tin foil. Cheaply.
But it anyone has ever fooled with that mess and tried to get it to work and stay in place on an open fixture like this... well.... they know it looks terrible and is hard to keep in place.

So the best thing would be to buy 2 of these proper parabolic reflectors for that light like this:
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-t5-46-lamp-reflector/
But that adds another 36.00 --
to correct the shortcoming of a light being made with no polished parabolic reflector.


And then you need 2 bulbs.
The HD one does not come with any.
(and if it did, they probably would not be any bulbs I would use over my animals. LOL ;) )

Assuming you are going to step up to HO T5 because you want the best.... then you would want to Go with an Arcadia 12% (or 6%)
(Arcadia cost about 10.00-14.00 more... but also LAST MONTHS longer. So they end up costing the same or even LESS in the long run.)

12% Arcadia and a Full Spectrum 6.5Kelvin Daylight, it costs 56.00 for both of those bulbs.

So to create a suitable light using an economy utility Home Depot model t5 as the base :

Home Depot basic HO t5 Double Bulb................................................... 42.97
Parabolic Reflectors (so you do not waste over HALF the light.)..... 36.00
2 Bulbs, one 12% Arcadia and one Full Spectrum 6.5k ....................... 58.00
Total = 136.97

Or...
One could simply choose to go with this:

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/48...arcadia-12-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/

A complete, black, nice looking ho t5 48" light that is Plug and Play for 132.99
(it can easily be hung too if you want... or just set on the cage.)
(PLUS--You can also ADJUST the UV in these using the included plastic shield. cool beans.)

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/48...arcadia-12-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/

Thanks,
Todd
www.lightyourreptiles.com
 
You can also buy a 2 bulb t5 fixture at Home Depot for around $25 if your on a budget, bulbs may be harder to find locally depending on where you live.

Is this the 25.00 t5 light you are talking about and recommending to people from Home Depot "guanagator"??

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...orescent-Utility-Light-MNS5-2-14-LP/100654375

Yes... it is t5 fixture.
But it is "NO"
Nominal Out-put.
(in other words ... a Cheapie, weak version of t5 just for use under counters or in low light places where a skinny fixture will fit better.)

It is the same wattage as a t8 (just skinnier bulbs)
and has no reflector,
so half the light goes off into no man's land, not down into the cage where it is needed...

But the most important flaw is that it will not run either Arcadia OR Zoo Med HO t5 bulbs because it is not ho (= high out-put).
They may light the bulbs for a while,
but they will be way too dim and almost no UV will come out of them and
they may cause fixture to overheat (!!). So please be careful.


So if anyone is taking this money saving advice and bought one of these to run a t5 bulb over their chams...
I am afraid it isn't going to run either a 24w HO Arcadia or 24w HO Repti Sun bulb properly.
And may overheat or ruin the bulbs.

If anyone has any questions or needs to clarify any internet lighting advice they have received ....
please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].
Or call me between the business hours below at 207.588.7210.

I answer all e-mails in usually a few hours or less and will give honest advice whether you are buying something from LYR or not....
Because Bad Advice Kills Animals.
And we care about your animals.
:)
Thanks!
Todd Goode, President LYR Inc, Owner LightYourReptiles.com
207.588.7210 M-F 9:30 AM - 6 PM EST
www.lightyourreptiles.com
 
I'm working on a 26" x 48" x 48" screen enclosure, devised down the middle to house a veiled on one side and a Jacksons on the other. Will a 24" 10 uvb be enough for both enclosure's if placed in the middle? I'm planning on buying this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006346GA/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER


The exoterra bulb is a t8 and are not that strong.
You are building a beautiful big cage.
Are you planning on live plants?
If so, and that is your only light outside 2 dome lights... then it will be quite under-lit.

This is good to watch:



see how the UV light penetrates farther from HO t5?

also remember... screen will knock down UV about 25-35%.

If it were my cage (it would be planted) and I would defiantly be using AT LEAST 2 x 46/48" 54w Ho t5 bulbs.

Thanks!
Todd
 
Todd,
Thanks for sharing that video!
It is much easier to justify the fancy lights when you see the actual difference between them.
Very informative.
 
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