UV Readings from Arcadia T5 Slimline Luminaire 39w

[TillyTortoise]

The purpose of this thread is to keep track of the UV output of the Arcadia T5 Slimline Luminaire 39w (3 in fact ). Monthly readings will be added to the thread.

A little bit about the Arcadia T5 Slimline Luminaire 39w.
The Arcadia Slimline High Output T5 UVB fitting is a plug in ready to use reptile keeping miracle. Suitable for all Vivaria and Terraria over 2 feet in length this energy efficient T5 fitting is suited for use with all exotics.

Using just one water resistant removable power socket this T5 unit is very neat and tidy in the vivarium and very easy to fit. The unit itself with the highly effective built in T5 reflector, one screw removable mounting plates and even an Arcadia Reptile D3+ 12% UVB High Output T5 lamp!


To make it clear, the lamps being tested are the Arcadia Reptile D3+ 12% UVB High Output T5's.

First reading:
Date - 19/11/12
The lamps have been running for a week now, for 12 hours.
OK, the readings

Lamp 1 - 135 uW/cm² at 12 inches.

Lamp 2 - 139 uW/cm² at 12 inches.

Lamp 3 - 141 uW/cm² at 12 inches.


All readings taken at a distance of 12 inches (305mm) from the center of each lamp. All readings are measured in microwatts per square centimeter (uW/cm²).

Keep in mind i'm a complete novice when it comes to UV lighting, so i've probably gotten something wrong or muddled up

[egyptiandan64]

Now the 12 inch reading Ross, is that the height of the lamp from the soil or the height from the top of the meter to the light?

Danny

[TillyTortoise]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

Now the 12 inch reading Ross, is that the height of the lamp from the soil or the height from the top of the meter to the light?

Danny

That's the reading from the bottom of the lamp to the top of the UV meter.

[egyptiandan64]

So how far from the soil is the lamp?

Danny

[TillyTortoise]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

So how far from the soil is the lamp?

Danny

Around 16 inches. Although I wouldn't want to put the lamp any higher as the UV reading drops considerably after around 14 inches away from the lamp.

[egyptiandan64]

So if someone was using the lamp they should have it 12 to 14 inches away from the substrate.

Danny

[Ozric Jonathan]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

So if someone was using the lamp they should have it 12 to 14 inches away from the substrate.

Danny

That is prettry much what I am doing with my T5's.

But it depends a bit how the lamp is being used ie is there any other uvb source in the enclosure and how much uvb does the keeper think the tortoise should be getting. A larger area of reduced intensity can be achieved with the lamp higher up.

[TillyTortoise]

I should think 12 - 14 inches would be ideal. If this lamp was combined with maybe an Arcadia combined lamp then you'd be fine to raise it higher.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Yeah I agree with Ross. If you think that a mediterranean tortoise requires higher levels of uvb than 140 uw/cm2 when it is basking then the extra will need to be provided in another way. I wouldn't personally recommend having the tubes lower than a foot from the substrate.

[TillyTortoise]

Originally Posted by Ozric Jonathan

Yeah I agree with Ross. If you think that a mediterranean tortoise requires higher levels of uvb than 140 uw/cm2 when it is basking then the extra will need to be provided in another way. I wouldn't personally recommend having the tubes lower than a foot from the substrate.

Nor would I, as it's likely the tortoise is going to be exposed to the full amount of the UV when it's in most places within the table, where as with the combines they can easily move away from the intense UV rays.