troubles with deciding on lighting purchases

[Ohgeez]

I decided to go the route of having lights that are not wired into the terrarium because the mesh top makes it so I cannot install a light to the roof, but I'm having some troubles with deciding on how to set up my lighting. I'd like the UV light and heat light to be on the same side.

I have seen that there are double fitted compact tops, but I also hear MV lights give off both UV and heat, even though they are very expensive, given the cost of a compact top AND both lights getting a MV light actually sounds cheaper... I think.

I see people suggest the florescent tubes for UV but I dont know if the tube fittings have to be wired up or if they can just be screwed up and plugged in.

Thanks for reading my confused ramble. First time bts owner and I'm very eager to make sure everything is right. I guess I'll also ask, how are your lights set up in your terrariums?

[Susann]

It all comes down to preference. I'm assuming with a screen top, you are planning on just having the fixtures sitting on top of the screen? Or are you hanging/mounting the fixtures up somehow to dangle above the screen?
Any tank big enough for a BTS can fit two lamps on the same side of the tank without much problem, whether it's a fixture for two bulbs, or two separate fixtures.
Which fixtures to choose can depend on which bulbs you want. For example, if it puts out a lot of heat (like a MV or a CHE) then it can not go into a compact fixture.

Keep in mind too that anything that puts out UVB rays will need to be replaced --usually every 6 months or so.

Don't know if that was helpful...?

I have two separate fixtures on one side of all my tanks, one for a CHE and one for a compact fluorescent UVB.

[Ohgeez]

It all comes down to preference. I'm assuming with a screen top, you are planning on just having the fixtures sitting on top of the screen? Or are you hanging/mounting the fixtures up somehow to dangle above the screen?
Any tank big enough for a BTS can fit two lamps on the same side of the tank without much problem, whether it's a fixture for two bulbs, or two separate fixtures.
Which fixtures to choose can depend on which bulbs you want. For example, if it puts out a lot of heat (like a MV or a CHE) then it can not go into a compact fixture.

Keep in mind too that anything that puts out UVB rays will need to be replaced --usually every 6 months or so.

Don't know if that was helpful...?

I have two separate fixtures on one side of all my tanks, one for a CHE and one for a compact fluorescent UVB.

Thanks for the reply, it was indeed helpful! I didn't actually know MV bulbs still ran out that fast like normal flurescent ones, I had assumed given the price they might last a lot longer .

They will be just placed on top of the mesh in a dome fixture, the top is seperated into two mesh 'squares' that are 30cmx30cm, putting two side by side miiight be a squeeze but it is something ill keep in mind. Plus having lights on the side to angle down is also something I didn't think of!

[Susann]

I had assumed given the price they might last a lot longer

You can still use it for light and heat, but the UVB output wears out over time. Read the info thoroughly on the packaging of any bulb you're considering to buy. The UVB output may be guaranteed longer in MV bulbs, I don't know; I just know that on average it's around 6 months.

[Ohgeez]

I've been able to find a good solution. The store does have light cords on their own (I must have missed them last few times), I can use that and brace it in the terrarium for UV. Good because honestly the compact tops they were trying to suggest to buy are just too cumbersome and not really needed for my type of terrarium.
I hope I can get some pics soon to show once I get my lil guy too