Which light unit do i need, and why?

[Ari Gold]

Hi All,

Got my Exo-Terra 90Lx45Wx60H that i will be planting up with a false bottom and waterfall. I am fine on all that part (mostly )... I may at some point (if it goes as well as in real life as it does in my dreamy terrarium fantasies) add some Crested Geckos. My concern/confusion (at the buying what i'll need for the job stage) is lighting.

I want to stick with Exo-terra as i like their products but cant decide what i need. I have three choices (i think?)

1. Compact top (4 x compact bulb capacity)
Exo Terra : Products : Compact Top

2. Dual Top (2 x flourecent tubes and two spot lights)
Exo Terra : Products : Dual Top

3. Light Cycle Unit (2 flourescent tubes)
Exo Terra : Products : Light Cycle Unit

I am still not fully up on the whole, tube vs compact bulbs thing.

Which of these should i get and please explain why (remember I'm a noob - who's trying to learn fast so he can stop annoying folk with dumb questions )

[jpstod]

The first factor about deciding lights is the type of Animal that will be housed in the tank.

If the Animal is Diurnal(daytime active) they will require UVA/UVB lighting for health reasons.
If they are Nocturnal (nighttime active) they do not require UVA/UVB lighting for health.
Crested Geckos are Nocturnal by the way.
The next most important thing about lights is the plants..Don't waste your time on expensive light bulbs, just get 6500K...Daylight bulbs..NOT SOFT WHITE. The wattage is important so that they dont ruin the fixture.

The placement of plants will be determine by their type. Plants that require bright or direct sunlight can be placed closer to the lights. While plants that require shade or partial plants can be placed away from the lights or lower in the Tank if going verticle. In my opinion why waste money if you don't have to. Take a look at my tanks. I use nothing but 6500K Spiral Compact Florecents or 48" 6500K Bulbs...from Wal-mart

As you can see I have No trouble getting plants to grow



Feel free to click the photos to go look at more photos on webshots.

I recently moved and can't find the Camera, but I need to post some update pics. You can really see a difference in the Large Tank now...

[froggsong]

You can easily build your own hood that will look like that from the outside for around 25 bucks. Just need some wood (or MDF), ceramic sockets, a cheap extension cord for each socket, switches if you want them, and black paint.

[Ari Gold]

Sorry, I should have been more clear, I've been keeping reptiles, amphibians and inverts for 22 years, I've just never had a terrarium with real plants before, that's where I’m a total noob. I understand lighting in relation to reptiles, and the differences between UVA and UVB, and I certainly know that Crested Geckos are nocturnal - I’ve had a few , but what is totally alien to me is what plants need to thrive.

I've identified three products that i think will each do the job I require. What I was asking, is for someone to advise me which I should spend my money on. I know that both fluorescent tubes and compacts will work, but is there any argument for one over the other?

With three products that effectively do the same thing (meet my light requirements with the correct bulbs), is my decision purely aesthetic / arbitrary, or is there a difference in functionality and benefit between compact bulbs and tubes?

Love that last picture jpstod, what do you use on that tank, tubes or compacts?

[beckdg]

thinner tubes produce more light therefore compacts are similar to t5s.
you can use whatever you want... any florescent will do the job compact, t12, t5... just thinner is brighter. something to consider and also price of t5.

dusk and dawn from what i understand is not perfected yet and i would not invest in it so out goes #3!

#1 + 2 seem to be good products. not sure about halogens.

i really like #2 variables are nice if you need to change something but those halogen bulbs may be manufacturer specific. if you don't mind spending the money go for the bells and whistles. dimming the light is much easier than changing bulbs or installing dimmer. just be forwarned if you can only replace those halogens with their bulbs you are at their mercy if they decide to discontinue the bulbs... probably not an issue though. the Westinghouse #04740 might work??? not sure it's right color spectrum but socket looks the same!

also there is this to consider... but i think just compact flourescents. so halogens should be fine!

[jpstod]

I use Lights of America Fixtures with 2 6500K (tubes) Sunlight Bulbs..In all I have 3 Fixtures that hang from the shelves and 1 that sits on top of the 50 Gallon Tank..

[beckdg]

i think mr ari knows what he wants and it is ease, form and function. he doesn't seem to want to build the structure and run the wires but he wants it to look like it was made that way. i think he made some very nice choices and applaud him for coming for help.

all he wants to know is #1, 2, or 3... and why.

he could use our help deciding.

[froggsong]

If you are determined to go with one of those, I would go with number two. I don't know the temps necessary for cresties, but who knows, you may put something different in the cage one day and need the ability to control the temp with the halogens (if cresties don't need it).

Personally, I would just build my own and spend the money I save on more/better cage furniture or plants.

I would definitely go with the (non UV) CFL bulbs though (6500K "daylight"). I love having the versatility to put in an incandescent if I need heat, or a CFL for light (an no real extra heat). CFLs are becoming less and less expensive, and you can get really good coupons in most areas because the electric companies are trying to get people to switch to CFLs to conserve energy.

[jpstod]

Actually I would say go with #3...not because of the type of bulbs, but because of the Built in features..A Dusk to dawn simulator would be cool..Plus no need to buy an additional on/off timer. It would be cool to see it slow light up and to slowly get dark. I hate sudden on/off.

For me based on Bulb types I say go with #1..any Compacts will fit in them..a $8 bulb will provide the needed light as well a $30 bulb..

Most people keep their house warm enough that additional heat actually is not needed on tanks..

If You went with #2 you could actually install red lens on the Halogens to provide night time viewing.

If money is an issue go with the cheapest
If Money is no option go with #3..I assume its the most expensive

[froggsong]

I was actually planning to get one of the number three (dusk to dawn) fixtures, but I have been told that the dawn feature doesn't work very well because the bulbs don't come up from being cold very well. That's why I picked number two.