Arcadia D3 Forest 6% UVB T5 HO Replacement Bulb

Many reptiles do not need desert-strength UVB. They do better with moderate UV spread over a wider area, which is what the D3 Forest 6% gives, along with UVA and visible light. The UVB supports vitamin D3 production, which helps your reptile use calcium.

Who it suits

Species from under a partial canopy or in filtered sunlight, for example:

• Chameleons

• Crested geckos

• Day geckos

• Water dragons

• Other forest-dwelling lizards

Enclosure height and basking distance still matter. Tell us your setup through contact and we will help you pick the right UVB level.

Size and fixture

Check the wattage printed on your old tube or on the fixture and match it, since tube length and fixture length are different measurements. These tubes fit Arcadia ProT5 and LumenIZE ProT5 fixtures of the matching wattage. They do not replace T8 or LED tubes. T5 HO gives better coverage than older T8 tubes, and a reflector pushes the UVB down and spreads it further.

Setting it up

• Mount it above the main basking zone so your reptile can reach the UV when it wants it.

• Use a reflector or a good T5 HO fixture to improve spread and reach.

• Plan a gradient, so your reptile can move between brighter and shaded areas.

• Allow for screen tops, which lower the UV that reaches the enclosure. The 6% rating does not tell you the UV index at the basking spot, so check it with a UV meter where you can.

• Keep ordinary glass and acrylic out of the light path, since they block UVB.

When to replace it

Arcadia says to replace it every 12 months, so note the date you fit it. UVB output drops over time even while the tube still looks bright, so brightness is no guide. Keep the fixture and reflector free of dust, which also cuts output.

Questions