Lighting for a Terrarium and future Vivarium.

[Slayer]

Hello,

I have a 125 gal aquarium. 72in.L X 22in.H X 18in.W "1/4in. Glass". With the potential to build anything I want on top, like taller plexiglass sides or as far as lights go and so on.
I got it for saltwater reef. But am thinking of trying this on for size.
I have a few questions. Light. I have Metal Halide lights. One ballast not in use right now. 175w.
Is there any place for this type of light in Vivariums?
I am also familiar with temp, spectrum, and most other types of lighting involved in Reef aquariums. Such as Power Compact, VHO, HO, NO, Fluorescence. LEDS etc. Are there places for these types as well?
What is my best bet for lighting? As far as what type of ballast.
Also is R.O. water used? Needed?
In the future I plain on keeping Poison Dart Frogs.
So, I want to aim for lights, plants, and habitat that are best for them.
There will be flowing, filtered water and more then likely small freshwater fish.

Any thoughts, or ideas would be helpful. Thanks

[Tindomul1of9]

Have you looked into T5 lighting setups?

[Slayer]

I have when it comes to lighting a Reef Tank. I have heard good things about them. Is this what you use? In what color temp should I be looking for?

[Gone_Fishin]

Terrestial and aquatic plants are going to benefit most from bulbs in the 6500to 10,000k range. 6500 should give a more 'warm' light while 10,000 will be the bright white look. Anywhere in between is fine, just go with what looks good to you.

[Slayer]

Yeah, I run 10,000k Metal Halide on my reef tank. they are nice and bright white. Thanks for the info.
If you don't mind another question. What level of humidity am I looking for upwards to 100%? What is the range of safe operation? Also the same question about Temp. Somewhere in the 80s? Tropic weather. And also how is this Temp maintained? Day/Night? Some type of heating pad to heat the soil? Or another method to just heat the air?
Thanks again. And I will be looking into T5 ballast. I plain on building the lights myself. With moister resistant end caps and so on. I built my metal halide lights with raw ballast and other items I purchased online. So I figure I can put something together.
Happy Holidays.

[Gone_Fishin]

I think usually like 75% humidity and up for the frogs, just some plants may not like higher if the air is stagnant and they can't dry out periodically. Temp depends on the species, but I think 80 would be getting a little high, maybe more 70 to 74.

The temp can be maintained in different ways; I use an aquarium heater in the false bottom that heats the water in the waterfall to 74, though it helps the viv is in a room with 300+ gallons of 78 water. Sometimes the heat from fluorescent lights is enough, but you need to be carefull it doesn't dry the air too much. For any dedicated heat source I would recomend a temperature controler, not just plug in and forget like a heat lamp for a lizard.

[Rainfrog]

Im not shure but I belive PDFs need between 80% and 100% humidity

[Slayer]

Oh yes, I do have thermostats, Made for terrariums. I am thinking about having water in my as well so that will help.
So a "household" humidifier would work to keep my Humidity levels up where they need to be? And some kind of mist system for watering and ..... whatever else. Small electric fans for air movement. Some kind of filter for the water. And lights. Thinking about the T5 ballast and lights.
300+ gallons, yeah that's alot.

[Slayer]

80-100% gotcha. Thanks everyone.