UVB bulbs for T8

[jamest0o0]

So I just bought this 48" T8 fixture holds 4 bulbs I'm trying to fill out. It'll be for a Parsons, although I'm considering switching my panthers t5ho to t8s because it'll help me on the heat during summer.

I was looking at this bulb (12% d3 arcadia)
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/d3...s-all-regular-48-fluorescent-fixtures-sale-1/

And this
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/d3...its-all-regular-48-fluorescent-fixtures-sale/

There's also a 2%...

The other 3 lights I was going to fill with 5000k bulbs

 

[Decadancin]

I don't know if the heat from the T5's will add much to the temps inside the enclosure. They will likely put off more heat from the top of the enclosure, but heat rises. I prefer the T5HO to the T8's for a lot of reasons, but not sure with this application. What size room are you going to have the enclosure in?

 

[nightanole]

T5's put out 33% more light than T8's, for the same watts. T46" 5HO's are 54 watt, and T8 48" are 36 watt. 4 bulbs are going to put out 250% more light vs 1 bulb, unless they are each in there own single hood with reflector.

Running a little math, it looks like 2 54 watt T5HOs will put out more light vs 4 36 watt t8's. So 108 watts vs 144 watts.

 

[Decadancin]

T5's put out 33% more light than T8's, for the same watts. T46" 5HO's are 54 watt, and T8 48" are 36 watt. 4 bulbs are going to put out 250% more light vs 1 bulb, unless they are each in there own single hood with reflector.

Running a little math, it looks like 2 54 watt T5HOs will put out more light vs 4 36 watt t8's. So 108 watts vs 144 watts.

Any info on heat output?

 

[jamest0o0]

I don't need more light, I have jungle dawns and a basking bulb. What I need is less heat. I'd rather use t5hos, but the room gets so warm running t5s on all my enclosures. I need a more efficient option. Open to suggestions

 

[Decadancin]

I don't need more light, I have jungle dawns and a basking bulb. What I need is less heat.

I understand, I am just a big fan of the T5's and wonder if there is a real benefit in your situation. There may be, but I'm curious to hear. Not arguing the idea .

 

[jamest0o0]

Oh and the room is a spare bedroom, probably around 15 feet by 15 or something like that, haven't measured

 

[Decadancin]

Oh and the room is a spare bedroom, probably around 15 feet by 15 or something like that, haven't measured

So the entire enclosure will be around 15 by 15?

 

[jamest0o0]

Oh yeah I didn't mean to come off defensive. I've just been having heat issues and I'm worried I have too much electricity running in the room as it is. Maybe I should consider a A.C. unit. Temp gets up to high 70s sometimes. I have whole house A.C. but the room still stays pretty warm. I'm tempted to have my Chams in the living room downstairs where it's cool all the time, but then I worry about stressing them.

 

[Decadancin]

No worries, I didn't take it that way, I'm just wondering if anyone has some info about the temps that are felt under the lights and the ones that are felt in the room. Maybe a different thread? I don't think that the stress from being in the LR would be a major issue unless they were in a high traffic area.

 

[jamest0o0]

Well it's just my Gf and I here 99% of the time. I have 2 cats though, I've never seen them bother the chameleons, but anyone that knows cats, know they are the most unpredictable little monsters on the planet! That's my main worry with the living room.

 

[Decadancin]

All 4 of my cats just threw poop in your general direction . Jus playin'... Can't be too careful.

 

[jamest0o0]

T5's put out 33% more light than T8's, for the same watts. T46" 5HO's are 54 watt, and T8 48" are 36 watt. 4 bulbs are going to put out 250% more light vs 1 bulb, unless they are each in there own single hood with reflector.

Running a little math, it looks like 2 54 watt T5HOs will put out more light vs 4 36 watt t8's. So 108 watts vs 144 watts.

Makes sense, any info on the heat output? What if i just run a T8 UVB? Or would there be a better option when getting the most with the least heat?

 

[jamest0o0]

@Decadancin I still love cats, my boy follows me around like a dog. Has to be overseeing any projects going on lol. I don't think they'd screw with the enclosure, but I worry the sight of them would be a constant stressor for my chams. Any thoughts?

 

[Decadancin]

Just my experience, but when the chameleon was in the enclosure the only thing that mattered to the cats were the feeders, and when he was out, he would do the turn sideways any time that they would walk by, not that they noticed him . That doesn't mean much though, because all cats (and chams ) are different.

 

[jamest0o0]

Yeah that's pretty much the same experience I have. My cats only care about the bugs, especially the crickets. My Chams aren't bothered much by my boy cat, but are terrified by the girl. No idea why, the boy is bigger. I mean the room they're in stays in safe temp ranges for my panthers, but I don't know if it'd be a good idea to have a Parsons in the living room lol. I'm going to be so overprotective with him/her.

 

[Decadancin]

That isn't necessarily a bad thing .

 

[nightanole]

2 T8 36 watt puts out 72 watts of heat and XXX heat from the ballast and base light ouput

1 T5 54 watt will put out 54 watts of heat, 33% more light per foot of lamp, and 50% more light from going from 36 to 54 watts. That is roughly double the light output of 1 T8, and 2 T8's put out 160% of the light of 1 T8.

So, in my opinion, i would switch to even 1 T5HO, since it will put out more light than 2 T8's. If you need to, you can add another single bulb T5HO fixture, for more light. But 1 T5HO with reflector will only put out 25-33% less light than a quad T8, so it might be good enough.

 

[jamest0o0]

Okay that helped a lot, thank you @nightanole. If you feel like answering, how are T8 uvb bulbs as far as D3 production goes? I have some jungle dawn leds and low watt basking bulbs. I was thinking thatd be enough for light and I could just add a T8 uvb and maybe 1 T8 bulb if I need more light

 

[nightanole]

Okay that helped a lot, thank you @nightanole. If you feel like answering, how are T8 uvb bulbs as far as D3 production goes? I have some jungle dawn leds and low watt basking bulbs. I was thinking thatd be enough for light and I could just add a T8 uvb and maybe 1 T8 bulb if I need more light

I have no clue on your setup. A T8 10.0/12% will have usable uvb down to about 18". That is perfect for a 3-4ft tall cage, as it leaves half the cage a dead zone so the cham can regulate. In contrast a T5HO 6% will have a penetration of 28"+ based on my meter, which means for the cham to get past 15mw(the min needed for good bones) of UVB, it would have to be crawling around in the plant pots. This is also why Todd Almighty doesnt like to sell us T5HO 12% just willy nilly. They come with all sorts of warning, recomendations on how to section off half the bulb with plexiglass or wrap screen around it, or use a meter. I can get a UVI of 3.5 out of 1 fresh T5HO 12% in the beardy tank at 14", a t8 10.0 at 14" only puts out .5 UVI. Chams only need a 1.0 tops, and i change my 6% when they start dropping to .5.