Arcadia 8W Pro T5 UVB Kit + 7% UV-B ShadeDweller Lamp

• 7% UV-B ShadeDweller lamp – tuned for animals that bask in filtered light or shade rather than open sun, not a high-output desert lamp.
• Measured UV output, not a marketing number – Arcadia publishes UVI at four distances from the fixture centre, so you can position it against a real target rather than guessing.
• Compact 315mm (12.5") T5 fixture – fits smaller and mid-sized terrariums without dominating the canopy.
• Fast-start, flicker-free ballast – no warm-up flicker that can stress light-sensitive species.
• Linkable – additional ProT5 units or Arcadia's JungleDawn LEDBAR can be run alongside it on larger setups.
• 8W power draw – inexpensive to run continuously through a 10-12 hour photoperiod.

Arcadia measures UVI at the fixture centre using a Solar Meter 6.5, with no mesh or reflector shadowing the reading.

Arcadia's own guidance is to mount the fixture so the basking area sits roughly 250-300mm (8-12") below it – inside the enclosure, on the ceiling or the underside of the canopy, not outside the glass or mesh.

A stainless steel mesh top between the lamp and the animal cuts UVI by roughly 30% or more, so a reading of 0.65 at 300mm through open air can fall well under 0.50 through mesh. If your enclosure has a mesh lid, mount the fixture inside, or move the basking area closer to compensate and check with a UV meter rather than assuming the table above still applies unmodified.

Suitable for: leopard geckos, crested geckos and other small day geckos, amphibians, invertebrates, and hatchling or juvenile snakes – species that naturally bask in filtered or indirect light rather than open sun.

Not suitable for: bearded dragons, uromastyx, desert tortoises and other high-UV baskers. A ShadeDweller lamp cannot deliver the UVI these species need to synthesise vitamin D3 properly – step up to Arcadia's Forest or Desert range instead.

The kit is the T5 fixture and the 7% UV-B ShadeDweller lamp together – no mounting brackets, timer or thermostat are included. A thermostat only applies to heat sources, not a UV lamp on its own.

UV-B output declines well before visible light does. Replace the lamp every 12 months even if it still looks bright – Arcadia's stated lifespan for this lamp is 12 months before UV output falls below a useful level.

Direct, prolonged close-range exposure to any UV-B lamp is unsuitable for human eyes and skin – mount it where it lights the enclosure, not where keepers reach past it repeatedly at close range. This is a 220-240V, 50Hz T5 fixture for the Australian market.

• Arcadia EarthPro-A – a vitamin dusting powder to pair with UVB-driven D3 synthesis.
• Arcadia Deep Heat Projector – for the separate basking heat gradient shade-dwelling species still need, positioned away from the UV zone so the animal can choose warmth and UV independently.

Check with us for the current Arcadia warranty term on this lamp – manufacturer terms vary by product and are updated from time to time. Whatever that term is, it applies in addition to the guarantees you already have under the Australian Consumer Law, which are not reduced by any manufacturer policy. Standard freight applies.

Will this lamp work for a bearded dragon?

No. The ShadeDweller 7% lamp is built for shade-dwelling species and delivers a UV Index of 0.30-0.80 depending on distance. Bearded dragons need a much higher UVI from a Desert-range lamp positioned correctly for open, direct basking.

How close should the lamp be to the animal?

Arcadia's own figures put the basking zone at roughly 250-300mm (8-12") below the fixture, where the UVI reads 0.65-0.80. Move further away and the UVI drops – by 450mm (18") it is down to 0.30.

Does a mesh lid change these numbers?

Yes. A stainless steel mesh between the lamp and the animal cuts the UVI by roughly 30% or more, so mount the fixture inside the enclosure where possible, or re-check with a UV meter if it has to sit above mesh.

How often does the lamp need replacing?

Every 12 months. UV-B output fades well before the lamp stops producing visible light, so a lamp that still looks fine can already be under-dosing your animal.

Can I run this alongside my current lighting?

Yes – Arcadia designs the ProT5 range to link with additional ProT5 units or with their JungleDawn LEDBAR fixtures for a wider basking area on larger enclosures.