Lighting a Vertical Vivarium

[Treesniffer]

I just converted my horizontal 20gal to a vertical and now discover the problem with proper lighting for a combined Grey Tree Frog/Hydroponic Terrarium. Lighting will most likely sit on top and go through glass to get to the plants & frogs. I am new at this so any help in determining beneficial lighting, considering the matter of glass obstruction, would be appreciated.

[John]

I use exo terras hoods with the screw-in fixtures (not the tube ones, the regular light bulb sockets). They cost about $20-$30 online. I put 20 watt spiral CFL bulbs from Walmart in them. Just make sure you use the "Daylight" kind of bulb. They have a color temperature between 5000 and 6700 Kelvin.

[DonLisk]

My plants in the 15 vertical are out of control with the setup John mentioned above. The bulbs you want at walmart are the reveal 6500k daylight ones. Perfect for a 20 vertical.

[sajane]

can you use these light bulbs on timers?

[DonLisk]

Sure you can use timers. I have mine on timers.

[John]

All my frog lights are on timers.

[Treesniffer]

I use exo terras hoods with the screw-in fixtures (not the tube ones, the regular light bulb sockets). They cost about $20-$30 online. I put 20 watt spiral CFL bulbs from Walmart in them. Just make sure you use the "Daylight" kind of bulb. They have a color temperature between 5000 and 6700 Kelvin.

Thank you John and others. I'll use this. Hopefully the glass on the top will not deflect the beneficial rays. The small screen on the front is in an awkward position and very small. I believe in the future, ventilation might be a problem when coupled with the lights where they too, to be in the same location. Fingers crossed.

[sajane]

logically it seems like you could use them on timers but the box says not to and my husband feels strongly for some reason (most likely financial) that I cant.

[John]

Are you sure you're not confusing timers with dimmers?

[sajane]

cfl's right? no the box says do not use with timers or dimmers

[ViperJr]

can you use these light bulbs on timers?

All kinds of lights can be used with a timer, since they only switch the power off and on. It's just the same as when you push the button yourself. The only problem if you're using dimmers with flourscent, which will not work. I think it's possible with some home built electrical components, but I'm not sure. Just a little side note

[ViperJr]

UncleChester:
The problem you are describing can only happens in electronic timers (not mecanical). And from what I understand, it's just old versions of electric timers that have this issue.
Still a goos point though, but like you said, even IF this would happen, you probably increse the lifetime since you can't forgot to turn it off.