[twohoops21]

I have been thinking about going with a 20" 4 bulb t5 HO set up for my new 18" exo build and have found a couple online that I have liked, but I am worried that it might not fit or be a overkill on lighting. I have looked at some of the other smaller exo builds on this site but I cant seem to get a clear pic of their lighting setups. I am really inspired by Revolutions new exo, and would like to have quality lighting for my viv so I can keep some nicer plants as well. Any ideas on lighting for this odd little tank would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deboardfam]

I have the exo terra hood... I run a 23w spiral compact bulb in it.. was running both but both was too much. I get great color from my crypts on the bottom of my tank 18x18x24 with just the single bulb.. and no heat issues.

 

[twohoops21]

Really? I have the hood also, with 2 bulbs and it didnt seem very bright in my tank. I was using this :http://www.exo-terra.com/download/high_res/products/images/PT2191_Repti_Glo_20_Compact_Set.jpg before I tore the tank down to start over. Is this the same as your using? If not can you give me more info on your bulb, thanks for the info!

 

[ryan10517]

if ya want good light for that tank, consider an AH Supply 36 watt compact fluorescent light kit. They have the best reflectors for compact fluorescents and the whole kit and reflector is 17.25" long. That's a perfect fit in my opinion! I think the kit is like $45 plus a bulb witch is like $15 plus shipping. Not a bad price compared to other fixtures that would put out the same amount of light. Here is a link for you
36 or 55 watt Bright Kits hope that helps,

Ryan

 

[train crash]

for my 18 exo terra tank i just use a canopy top with 5.0 bulb, exo terra from experince dotn normally do good electronics but these things have lasted for 4 years and still going strong

 

[mongo77]

I've found the exo 2.0 bulbs to be brighter than the 5.0 bulbs.

 

[PantMan]

I like the T-5's I just built some exo's that are lit with T% fixtures with 4 bulbs. They generate great light and I expect to get some really good colors on the broms. The one thing I will caution against is the amount of heat the fixture generates. You may have to take the necessary precautions (elevate the lights off the tank and possibly run a fan between the tank and lights). In fact I went shopping for a desk fan today but came up empty handed.

FYI: I get my light fixtures and bulbs from a hydroponics store.

 

[twohoops21]

if ya want good light for that tank, consider an AH Supply 36 watt compact fluorescent light kit. They have the best reflectors for compact fluorescents and the whole kit and reflector is 17.25" long. That's a perfect fit in my opinion! I think the kit is like $45 plus a bulb witch is like $15 plus shipping. Not a bad price compared to other fixtures that would put out the same amount of light. Here is a link for you
36 or 55 watt Bright Kits hope that helps,

Ryan

Thanks Ryan, I have considered that, as I found that website a few days ago. I am worried that the single might not color up the broms as well as a multi bulb light, plus I like a more finished look. But they are certainly not out of the question.

I've found the exo 2.0 bulbs to be brighter than the 5.0 bulbs.

Same here.

I like the T-5's I just built some exo's that are lit with T% fixtures with 4 bulbs. They generate great light and I expect to get some really good colors on the broms. The one thing I will caution against is the amount of heat the fixture generates. You may have to take the necessary precautions (elevate the lights off the tank and possibly run a fan between the tank and lights). In fact I went shopping for a desk fan today but came up empty handed.

FYI: I get my light fixtures and bulbs from a hydroponics store.

Thanks Pantman, I will have to look at out local hydroponics store. Unfortunately it is a crappy part of town and I always get hassled when I go over there, so I generally try and stay away from that area. Would you think that a 2 bulb set up would still put out enough light to color up some broms? I just ordered a bunch from tropiflora and got them in today. I have them under 2 24" life glow 2 bulbs for the time being, until I finalize plans on the exo. I am not very good with wiring things up so I am kinda afraid of installing a fan. I am also not very knowledgable on fans and will have to read up a bit more if I decide to go that route. I am worried about the heat of a 4 bulb set up which is why I ask. Lately its been getting pretty warm in our apt, and have not turned on the air yet, just opened the windows.

 

[Venutus1]

Just had to put 2 cents in on exo-terra 5.0 cfl (and any UV B emitting light)
They could give off too much UV for frogs in a small set ups or if not used carefully. (!!!)
You have to remember... frogs don't really bask and "sit" the recommended
exposure distance from those bulbs like the pretty box pictures show of the bearded dragon stretched out exactly 12 inches under the bulb.
(Thereby getting his correct UV dosage to cheerfully synthesize his Vit. D for the day and making his pineal gland in his brain under his 3rd eye happy.)
Thumbnails especially could climb up the sides and get/sit too close to the bulb.
Also, as noted above...some UV cfls don't put out much light. Because a higher percentage of their energy is spent putting out rays in the invisible (to humans) UV A and UV B spectrum.
My personal opinion is that ALL UV B producing CFLs should be used in conjunction with another form of full spectrum lighting to boost up the lumen levels / lux / overall enviromental brightness.
There is a debate around this whole matter because the lumen output is low on some UV B cfls, hence... the animals pupils don't constrict enough as they would in natural brighter sunlight, to thus limit the amount of UV hitting their retinas.
In other words, in close proximity, there eyeballs could get over UV-ed. Like when they sit 2 inches under the bulb up on the glass.

Having said all that, I DO use UV cfls on timers in conjunction with other lighting on my variabilis, with precautions.
(Mini tanning goggles.I have invented them for frogs.)

Cheers.
Todd

PS. Solarmeter = good, very Good to measure UV levels.

 

[deboardfam]

Twohoops21:

No I use $5 2 pack bulbs from wal mart.. 6500k... Have great growth from all of my plants... I am at work or would post a picture

 

[twohoops21]

Just had to put 2 cents in on exo-terra 5.0 cfl (and any UV B emitting light)
They could give off too much UV for frogs in a small set ups or if not used carefully. (!!!)
You have to remember... frogs don't really bask and "sit" the recommended
exposure distance from those bulbs like the pretty box pictures show of the bearded dragon stretched out exactly 12 inches under the bulb.
(Thereby getting his correct UV dosage to cheerfully synthesize his Vit. D for the day and making his pineal gland in his brain under his 3rd eye happy.)
Thumbnails especially could climb up the sides and get/sit too close to the bulb.
Also, as noted above...some UV cfls don't put out much light. Because a higher percentage of their energy is spent putting out rays in the invisible (to humans) UV A and UV B spectrum.
My personal opinion is that ALL UV B producing CFLs should be used in conjunction with another form of full spectrum lighting to boost up the lumen levels / lux / overall enviromental brightness.
There is a debate around this whole matter because the lumen output is low on some UV B cfls, hence... the animals pupils don't constrict enough as they would in natural brighter sunlight, to thus limit the amount of UV hitting their retinas.
In other words, in close proximity, there eyeballs could get over UV-ed. Like when they sit 2 inches under the bulb up on the glass.

Having said all that, I DO use UV cfls on timers in conjunction with other lighting on my variabilis, with precautions.
(Mini tanning goggles.I have invented them for frogs.)

Cheers.
Todd

PS. Solarmeter = good, very Good to measure UV levels.

Thanks Todd, Great information. I will be going to the local hydroponics store this weekend and look for a solarmeter.



On a side note, Some of the fixtures I have been looking at have the blue actinic bulbs, are these something that I should run also? I thought those were for coral tanks?

 

[Venutus1]

On a side note, Some of the fixtures I have been looking at have the blue actinic bulbs, are these something that I should run also? I thought those were for coral tanks?

Yes, you hit the nail right on the head: for coral tanks.
You see, the actinic bulbs are blue to mimic sunlight filtered through 20 - 30++ feet of sea water. Water naturally absorbs red wavelengths of light and transmits blue. (Hence... the sea appears blue )
The blue shift of those actinic bulbs provide very natural light for saltwater fish and corals.
Since most T5 fixtures are marketed for reef tanks, they come with at least one blue actinic bulb.
However, they are UNnatural light for any terrestrial animal and should be replaced with a good full spectrum daylight bulb. 5.4K - 7-ish k.
You could always sell them off on e-bay or trade them for something good with someone who has a reef tank

 

[Tony]

You could always sell them off on e-bay or trade them for something good with someone who has a reef tank

If you really want to get hardcore you can use them to light your fruit flies, Ed posted recently about actinic lighting helping to increase the vitamin A content of the flies when carotenoids are available in the culture medium.

 

[twohoops21]

Ok another question, The fixture that I am almost ready to pull the trigger on has 4 10000K bulbs. Is 10000k too much? I also found one that has 4 6500k but it is a little longer of a fixture, maybe I can my 12x12x18 exo next to my 18"cube and light them both....thoughts??

 

[Venutus1]

Ok another question, The fixture that I am almost ready to pull the trigger on has 4 10000K bulbs. Is 10000k too much? I also found one that has 4 6500k but it is a little longer of a fixture, maybe I can my 12x12x18 exo next to my 18"cube and light them both....thoughts??

10K would be a cool crisp white light. It would be ok.
But remember, natural sunlight is 5.5K to 7K.
Google spectral curve and color temperature of sunlight.
That is the template you(we) are all shooting for.
Good 'ol natural sunlight. Nature. You can't impove on it.
Honestly, I would get the fixture you like that fits. You can always swap out a 10k bulb or 2 of 'em for some 6.5K ones. The bulbs for T-5's themselves should all be the same standard size.
Cheers! Todd

 

[twohoops21]

Todd, you have been a great help with great info for this lighting noob! Its much appreciated!

 

[dartfrog2011]

go with the 6500k