UVB Set Up Idea. Can someone double check my plan?

[Motörcrab]

I was looking to try to add a UVB to my 75 Gallon after reading the post Crabitat Lights Heating, Viewing, and UVB. People that use UVB report more activity and brighter colors in their crabs.
Here is my idea. Since the UV rays must be direct into the tank and not filtered by any type of topper, screen, or plastic most set up are difficult to properly get the UV to the crabs.

My plan is to get a piece of 1/4" thick plexiglass cut at 22 1/8" X 16 3/8". In the center of the the piece I will cut a hole just under the size of the Light Fixture. Since this is for UV and light only I believe it would be safe to add silicone between the light fixture and the plexiglass to keep the light secured in place. I plan on using a Zoo Meds ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Mini Compact Fluorescent Lamp - 13W bulb. According to the Zoo Meds website and their chart https://zoomedwebsite-g10v9whlnw8q2qdmu ... 018-07.pdf That bulb gives of UV between 4"-16", ranging from Mid Day sun to Shade. The Substrate in my tank now is approximately 12" from where the plexiglass will be. This would give me a Zone 2 (.7-1 UVI) at ground level. Add a few branches or climbing structures and they can vary to a Zone 4 (2.6-3.5 UVI).

I believe if the Hole is cut at the center of the plexiglass and keep ALL climbing structures in that area 5"-6" from the top and bulb I do not think a crab could get near the bulb. If they get to the top on the tank they will only be able to climb around the edges since the plexiglass is smooth. I do not think, unless they would climb on top of each other they could get to the bulb. Nothing is impossible for crabs, I should say highly unlikely.

I would start out using it while I was at home to monitor the tank conditions, starting off at maybe an hour a day. After several weeks I would set it up to a timer and try to monitor how and when the crabs have been using it. If they bask for about 2 hours between 8-10 am no use leaving it run all day.

The only down fall I can see is possibly a drop in humidity due to the hole in the plexiglass, or having the light fixture corrode from the humidity.

Does that sound like a safe set up? Or does anyone have an easier solution or another approach?

[wodesorel]

The better T5HO UVB fixtures pump out enough that it can be used over screen with little loss, but they cost more. Just another option!

[Motörcrab]

Would this the T5HO you are talking about? It is only a few dollars more if it is. I think I would need to get a different fixture in order to accommodate either of the lengths they have available since one of my lights is an LED and the other is ancient and is for a 10 gallon tank.

https://www.thatpetplace.com/zoo-med-re ... p-24w-22in

[wodesorel]

Yes, but the T5HO takes a special fixture, it will not fit into standard ones. My three footers were like $65 each and came with a 5.0 bulb. I do love them, I have them on all three turtle tanks and my MBD snake and the difference after switching to them was noticeable!

[GotButterflies]

I use the same ones that Wodesorel is talking about I highly recommend them!


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[soilentgringa]

I have a 28" 5.0 (Reptisun) placed over a rectangle cutout in a piece of acrylic. My humidity is in the 80's, they get direct UVB, and none if them can get close to the light.

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