Arcadia Bulbs?

[Neal]

Anyone ever use Arcadia brand reptile lighting products?

The T-5 D3 reptile lamp looks like a good product. I couldn't find a whole lot of reviews, so I just wanted some feedback from anyone on the forum who might have used them even though they're relatively new to the US.

 

[Tom]

"Not I", said Thee...


Bump...

 

[Neal]

Here's some product information:

• 12% UVB for the synthesis of vitamin D3
• 30% UVA
• Produces excellent natural colours
• 100% more visible light than equivalent length D3+ T8 lamp
• 95% more UVB than equivalent length T8 lamp
• Typically 61µW/cm2 at 30cm (with no mesh/glass and without a reflector)

The Benefits of T5 Technology
• Smaller diameter lamp - 5/8 of an inch (16mm) compared to 1 inch (26mm)
• Flicker free – all T5 lamps operate on efficient, high frequency ballasts
• No need for replacement starters

Premium Reptile Lighting from Europe Now Available for the First Time in the US!

Note: Requires T-5 HO (High Output) Fixture.

A revolutionary new range of high performance T5 reptile lamps from Arcadia. Offering a significant increase in both visible light and UV output compared with T8 lamps of similar length.

D3+ Reptile T5 Lamp For Desert Species

Arcadia reptile lamps are specially formulated to produce light in the UVB and UVA wavebands, as well as visible light and use a special glass formulation designed to allow through far more of the UVB and UVA. This means that we can offer lamps with spectral radiation patterns tailored to meet the requirements of specific reptile species.

It is important to note that sufficient vitamin D3 is not enough in itself to avoid metabolic bone disease. Reptiles should also be fed foods rich in calcium and phosphorous. Do not use a glass or protective lens between the lamp and the reptile – this will reduce the UV light that your reptiles need. Fix the lamp at the top of the vivarium. The addition of an Arcadia Reflector will ensure that all the light is focused downwards and the intensity is increased. For nocturnal species, make sure that there is an area where they can shelter away from the light and give them the necessary period of darkness each day. Both UVA and UVB can damage the human eye in sufficient quantities. The D3+ and D3 Arcadia lamps are designed to have no more UVA or UVB light than is found in natural reptile habitats. This does mean however that you should restrict your exposure to this light, just as you would avoid looking at the sun. The amount of UV produced by reptile lamps lamp falls the further away the lamp is. We recommend that the lamp should be kept within 12” or 30cms from your reptiles. It is important that reptile lamps is replaced at least once a year. The human eye cannot see the reduction in UV output over the life of the lamp, but this phenomenon occurs with all fluorescent lamps.

UVB Light Most reptiles need to synthesize vitamin D3 in their skin for their healthy growth for which UV light falling within a particular wave band, known as UVB (290-320 nm), is required. Although Vitamin D3 can be commercially obtained from animal sources, and given to reptiles with their food, studies have indicated that dietary D3 cannot replace the D3 synthesized in the skin from sunlight, even in reptiles injected with supplemental vitamin D3. The vitamin D type derived from plants is vitamin D2 and is not suitable for proper calcium metabolism. For the best results, vitamin D3 must be obtained from regular exposure to UVB light, either from natural sunlight or specialist reptile lamps. The Arcadia reptile lamp range has been created in order to allow reptiles and other exotic pets to be maintained without the health problems related to poor calcium metabolism. UVA Unlike humans, who have ‘trichromatic’ vision, enabling us to see only three primary colours - red, green and blue, we now know that many reptiles, amphibians and other species, have ‘tetrachromatic’ vision. This enables them to see the shorter UVA wavelengths (320-400 nm) of the spectrum that form a part of natural sunlight. Reds are redder and greens are greener – life without UV would be the equivalent of us seeing everything in black and white, only worse. This UVA, or fourth primary, can be critical for behaviour and even affect appetite. A reluctant feeder may need UVA light to stimulate its appetite. UVA is also needed to induce reproductive behaviour. Lizards have been found to possess ultra violet reflectance patterns on their skin, which indicate reproductive glands in particular. Female panther chameleons seek out UV light when preparing to lay eggs. Depriving a reptile of UVA light would be like making it live in a darkened room.

 

[cherylim]

I'm an Arcadia user. Highly recommend their D3 bulbs.

 

[dan bristow]

i use nothing but arcadia. there mvb and the new t5 bulbs are fantastic. there has been a test on another forum between a arcadia and an exo mvb.the arcadia was still producing more uv than the exo at 18 months of age than when the exo was brand new!!
they may be new in the USA but they have been round ages in the UK and are a very reputable company who do alot of research.
I hope that helps you
Dan

 

[Kerry1976]

Where would someone in the US get one of these bulbs?

 

[yagyujubei]

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ard3t522in241.html

 

[Kerry1976]

Thanks!