Now that we have almost completed our shop fit, we are aiming to use some of the latest lighting and heating to reduce our carbon footprint, and also benefit our vast array of livestock. We will be changing all UVB from t8s to t5s. We will also be changing all basking bulbs from tungsten reflectors to halogen. Finally every tank is fitted with a thermostat in out shop. This is the biggest most expensive change, we will be fitting digital stats to all 140 of them. Here are some reasons why (taken from Arcadia) the lighting and heating will be upgraded. The Arcadia halogen heatspots represent a huge leap forward in the quest to find a source of light and heat that is controllable and is also Eco-friendly. In the past reptile keepers have had to rely on old fashioned and expensive tungsten lamps to provide heat and light with no UV into the enclosures in which their animals live. Tungsten is not an efficient source of heat as light and heat are emitted all around the globe of the lamp. Another problem with tungsten is that it relies on a fragile tungsten filament resting in a cradle. Energy is passed through the filament which instantly reaches a localised high temperature. This in turn produces light. The main limitation is that every time the lamp is switched on or dimmed up and down through a thermostatic controller the filament wears a little. Over a short amount of time this wear and tear builds up and the lamp fails. Halogen is a very energy efficient source of light and heat. Typically a 50w Arcadia halogen heatspot will do the same job as a 100w tungsten lamp. Halogen gases used in the capsule emit a very natural daylight colour light and vast amounts of heat to a good distance from lamp to basking area. These lamps do not rely on fragile tungsten coils and so do not wear in the same way. The Arcadia heatspot also has a very thick internal metal reflector. This stops light and heat emissions from the sides and top of the the lamp, again this is making good use of the energy that you are using. Halogen also reaches temperature much more quickly than tungsten. These lamps will be on for less time as the target temp is reached quicker!! In simple terms an Arcadia halogen heatspot will save you money on running costs and lamp changes. They are focusable onto the basking area which allows you to create a dedicated thermo-gradient. They are almost dimmer proof and will allow you to provide high and low level temps without excessively wearing through the filament. These lamps are ideal to be used alongside the Arcadia D3 basking lamps and the award winning Arcadia High Output T5, High UV systems… The Benefits of T5 Technology Smaller diameter lamp – 5/8 of an inch (16mm) compared to 1” (26mm) Flicker free – all T5 lamps operate on efficient, high frequency ballasts High output T5 lamps are especially useful for captive reptiles. The extra power that these lamps provide will help a keeper to generate a good UV gradient and provide safe basking quantities of UV over a much wider and deeper area. And the thermostats will be upgraded for the following reasons (taken from Suitable for most heaters and will provide a continual temperature rather than a hot / cold cycle. Separate setting of daytime temperature and night time temperature. Continual readout of current temperature and time. Revolutionary Power Meter continually indicates % of power at the heater. Coloured Icon flashes to indicate function presently in use. Separate timed circuit to turn separate heaters, lighting fans or spray systems on twice and off twice in a 24 hour period. Waterproof, 3 metre long, low voltage sensor. Adjustable alarm function to give visual and audible warning when temperature goes above or below set temperature parameters. Alarm can be disabled if not required. Both upper and lower temperature limits can be set. Comes with preset parameters , so can just be plugged in and used if required. Once again we are going the extra step to other shops to provide our livestock with the best possible captive conditions. Together with our huge breeding programme for both common species and species usually only available wild caught, we are heading in the right direction !!!
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 18:43:46 +0000
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