What kind of lighting is best for a Vivarium ?

[viv4life]

I have a 20 gallon long tank that I'm making into a vivarium for poison dart frogs. I've already made the background and false bottom but I need to know about lighting. I only want to keep mosses, like java, well mostly java and maybe 1 or 2 PDR. What kind of lighting would I need to make the moss grow and keep the frogs happy - Like what size, what type of lighting, power compact, fluorescent( well i have a fluorescent but its purple? idk its a weird color and i don't like it that much) so can you please give me a link or pic. of the right bulb I should buy. Thanks.

[fknighton]

What you want is a bi-light. It sits on top of your glass lid and holds two bulbs. The bulbs are cheap. They are the twisty looking kind that you use in a regular light socket. You have to get the kind with the right kind of light spectrum for plants. You can get them at Home Depot. The bi-light is carried by some pet stores, but it is hard to find for a 20 gallon long. I know because that is what my tank is. I ended up ordering one online. If you want to know where I ordered mine I could look it up when I'm back at school. I'm sure I saved the invoice. Frances

[viv4life]

is the bi-light the one that has the 2 bulbs on each side? it also has ones with just one bulb in it? i think i know what your talking about i saw them today at petsmart. there about 30-40.00? and are you refering to the light bulb to get at homedepot? if so what kind?

[fknighton]

What you want is ESU bi-light. 30 inches long is what fits on a 20 gallon long tank. It holds 2 screw in compact flourescents. You buy the bulbs in Home Depot. Get the kind that are 6500k daylight bulbs. The bulbs will cost you more in a pet store. The lights aren't really for the frogs. They are for the plants. You don't need expensive bulbs. I think I paid around 27 for the light fixture online, but of course there was shipping. I couldn't get the right length in a pet store at the time. You also need a glass top on your tank. I had one cut in two pieces, which I hinged together with silicone and an acrylic "piano" hinge. Fran

[viv4life]

would this work? http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/me ... y_Code=LGT

[viv4life]

http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/me ... y_Code=LGT

[fknighton]

That is basically the right kind of light. The problem is your tank is 30" long. It is best to have a light that is the length of your tank. Check out Pet Boulevard http://www.petblvd.com/cgi-bin/pb/searc ... d=wU3Zjrf6
That is where I got my light fixture. You can get a 30" Reptile Bi Light Strip for $27.07 and shipping is around $10. You don't need expensive reptile bulbs. Go to Home Depot and they are around $6.00 each for compact flourescents. There is no sense in paying more than you need to. Save your money for plants or frogs!!! Fran

[viv4life]

hey thanks, i just went to my local pet store and they had a tri-light for 30 bucks i picked that up i also got 3 6500k daylight bulbs(the squiggley ones that save energy) they are 40 watts each so i got 3. would those work?

[fknighton]

Yes, the twisty ones are what you want. I would think that would give you plenty of light. Fran