Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

dan5 · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject: Lighting exo-terra tanks

Hi

I would like to prove or disprove a lighting issue! Smile

When I first set up my crestie tank I was told that the beneficial rays of a UV bulb will not penetrate the mesh on my exo terra tank so I have an internal light source that I don't really like as it takes up space.

Looking at peoples tanks on here, I see planted setups using uv strips on top of the tank. Have I been given false info!?!?! Shocked

ta

Dan

Phil1988 · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

I think the mesh blocks some but not ALL of the rays. So I think you can put it on top.

negri · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 585

there are holes in the mesh so uv will come through .

cresteds dont need uv , but if you have live plants then you will need it for them .

i have a uv tube on top of my viv with no extra light inside .

i got rid of the live plants though as the fake ones are easier to look after and create more cover
_________________
Eyeless frogs welcome...

Crested Geckos 1:7:4 + 8 Eggs
White Treefrogs 0:1:0
Green Anole 0:0:1
Fire Belly Toads 5:6:0
Bearded Dragon 0.1.0
Leopard Geckos 1.1.2
Albino Cali King 1.1.0
And a Fish Called George...

dan5 · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject:

When you did have live plants in the tank and a UV light source shining through the mesh, did this keep the plants alive indefinitely?

If that's the case I been given wrong info!

I have a little UV light source inside but the casing takes up too much space for my liking.

Thanks for your input guys Smile

Exalted Gecko · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:07 pm Post subject:

Some UV will obviously get through, and I use live plants without UV and they live to their expected life span.

I wouldn't put UV in or on a viv for a gecko that doesn't need it. Your just creating more cost and effort for no real reason.
_________________
Kind Regards,

Chris

negri · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 585

i would say that the plants i had in died prematurely .

maybe because of not enough light but more probably because of the higher humidity ?

maybe a bit of both ? ive not got very green fingers either so that wouldn't have helped
_________________
Eyeless frogs welcome...

Crested Geckos 1:7:4 + 8 Eggs
White Treefrogs 0:1:0
Green Anole 0:0:1
Fire Belly Toads 5:6:0
Bearded Dragon 0.1.0
Leopard Geckos 1.1.2
Albino Cali King 1.1.0
And a Fish Called George...

ben_gecko · Key Member Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 215 Location: London

UV defo comes through the mesh, obviously it blocks some, but Exo Terra themselves have released a light system to sit ontop of the exo tanks, and it covers one whole side of the mesh and has 2 little bulbs and reflectors inside for the compact uv bulbs. i almost got some from houten, but for Rhacs, uv really isnt needed.
_________________
[3.2.6 R.Ciliatus|1.4.7 R.Auriculatus
|1.0 R.Leachianus
[1.1 O.Monilis|1.0 Rhampoleon Brevicaudatus

dan5 · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:20 pm Post subject:

I like the sound of an exo terra lighing lid Smile

I only ask for planting purposes as I want to upgrade to a planted tank.

thanks guys

christophermchale · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:01 pm Post subject:

there is no better uv than sunlight in my opinion.
_________________
cardboard city.

dan5 · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:12 pm Post subject:

I would like to heat everything with sunlight, but my flat has a tendency to overheat!

When I move in a year or so, number one on my list will be a large garden with the possibility of a reptile shed Very Happy