vivarium lighting help

[Frogs1]

Hi, so I'm creating a vivarium for my red eyed tree frogs and I need some help with what lights to use. I have the exo terra small compact top Exo Terra : Compact Top / Compact Fluorescent Terrarium Canopy .

I was going to get two exo terra 26 watt natural light bulbs. Exo Terra : Natural Light / Full Spectrum Daylight Bulb
But I noticed that they don't put out any UVB only UVA. I don't know a lot about plants or lighting but don't plants need some UVB not a lot but some? If so what 2 exo terra bulbs should I get? The tank is 18Lx18Wx24H . Thanks

[Tsathoggua]

I know for plant growth the spectrum is 4500k - 6500k. I don't know much about Red Eyed Tree Frogs so I'll let one of the far more knowledgeable posters add to that.

[Frogs1]

I know for plant growth the spectrum is 4500k - 6500k. I don't know much about Red Eyed Tree Frogs so I'll let one of the far more knowledgeable posters add to that.

I'm not to sure what spectrum is haha, but thanks for the info, I will wait to see if any more knowledgeable posters posts and hopefully I can go get the right bulbs tomorrow.

Edit: Could I use this bulb? Exo Terra : Reptile UVB100 / Tropical Terrarium Bulb It says it that it "emits optimal levels of UVB, similar to that of shady environments such as rain forests or other tropical locations"

I was thinking maybey 1 26 watt one of those and one of these Exo Terra : Natural Light / Full Spectrum Daylight Bulb ?

Not to sure. opinions?

[bsantucci]

I'm using the same top, actually two of those tops. In each housing I have 1 UVB100 in addition to 1 Reptile Vision bulb, both from Exo-terra. I really like the lighting colors, very natural. I've had them on the new tank for 3 days now and my plants have all responded very well from them. I'd think the natural light would work just as well though, it puts out a very similar spectrum from what I see, a bit more greens.

[deranged chipmunk]

Save yourself the added expense of exoterra bulbs and just go to a big box store (Walmart, the big k, Home Depot, lowes) and get standard household cfl bulbs with a color temp of 6500k (it's normally printed on the packaging). Neither retf's or plants require uv lighting. If you are feeling adventurous, there are numerous types of LED lights you can purchase that will screw into a standard light socket.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Frogs1]

I don't know a lot about plants but I'm fairy sure they do need some sort of UV?

[deranged chipmunk]

I haven't offered any of my plants uv light in the past 20 years. Most plants we grow in vivariums are considered tropical house plants. House plants rarely ever get uv lighting due to them being kept indoors, where the glass in windows filters out all but a smidge of uva rays.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Frogs1]

Ok, just to be a safe I might get the uvb 100 light bulb for tropical rainforest animals and 1 natural light bulb. I don't want to risk them dying XD I payed $40 for just 1 bromeliad. If they dye I'll be out of pocket $80