BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Perhaps this has been covered in previous posts, but maybe I haven't seen anything as specific...

I'm looking to purchase a 48" T5 high output UVB light for both of my bts.

Is there really a difference between a fixture from zoo med/zilla/main brands and a brand from Home Depot/Lowes? Seems like they both would serve the same exact purpose. Only the reptile brands are 2-3x the price.

In that case, is there also any difference between the bulbs themselves?
One would think since it's made by a reptile company, "designed" for reptiles then surely that has to be better. I'm thinking that the uvb 10.0 bulbs would be better from zoo med and the fixture part of it doesn't really matter.

I'm looking to Velcro (industrial) the fixture inside the top of the tank.
I have a 48"x24"x18" tank, is 48" lighting necessary or would 36" be sufficient?

Any suggestions, opinions or personal experience?

Thank you so much!

Here's a couple pics of them

Butterscotch, merauke
Andouille, northern

Your skinks are gorgeous.

I think you are right - the important thing is to get a UVB bulb that has the 10.0 equivalent and the fixture won't matter - as long as it is suitable for the type of bulb you are fitting.

Bulbs and fittings that are made/labelled specifically for reptiles generally ARE more expensive. For some things you can't get around this because these products are the only ones you have available or that do what you want them to. For other things you could be paying twice as much simply because it is "for reptiles". For example, the spot/floodlight basking globes you can get from the hardware store are half as much as the basking globes from the reptile shop, but they do the same thing - provide heat and light. However, if you want a purple moon light for night time heat you will probably have to fork out the money for a reptile branded one because it may not be available elsewhere.

I'm not sure which category the UVB globe falls into. If you can find one cheaper that does the same thing (i.e., 10.0) and a cheaper safe and suitable fixture then go for it. Just keep in mind the purpose and requirements of what you need to provide for your skink - whatever you can manage to meet that need is what you ultimately need to go for. I hope this helps....

If your meaning just the holder of the uvb light,then no ,theres no differences in what particular light fixture you use to hold your uv tube in