Arcadia Pro T5 Kit 90cm 39w

• Genuine Arcadia T5 UV-B tube fitted inside a high-reflectivity aluminium fixture
• Mains cable, fittings kit and a free link cable included for daisy-chaining more than one fixture
• Three UV-B strengths – Forest 6%, Desert 12% or Dragon 14% – for different Ferguson zones
• 12-month tube life: UV-B output drops well before the tube stops looking bright

All three of Nick's Arcadia T5 UVB products draw from the same tube range, so here is how the strengths compare side by side.

This kit is the complete lighting half of the job: tube, reflective fixture, mains cable, fittings and a link cable are all in the box, so it mounts and wires in on its own. It supplies UV-B and UV-A light only – it does not include a heat globe, thermostat or basking-heat source, and Arcadia doesn't supply a UV Index meter, so you can't confirm the reading in your own enclosure without a Solarmeter 6.5 or similar.

Figures below are Arcadia's own readings, taken at the strongest point directly under the fixture with a Solarmeter 6.5 – meaning with the kit's reflector doing its job, which is how this product is actually used. Arcadia states a minimum distance from lamp to reptile of 250mm/10"; readings below 380mm are not published for Desert 12% or Dragon 14% because Arcadia flags that zone as "use with caution" or "not advised" at that range.

A stainless steel mesh guard over the enclosure can cut UVI by 30% or more, according to Arcadia; the figures above assume open air with no mesh in the way. Black mesh blocks more than stainless.

Suitable for: Forest 6% suits shade and forest-floor species such as chameleons, day geckos, water dragons and blue tongue skinks. Desert 12% and Dragon 14% suit high-UV baskers such as bearded dragons, uromastyx, agamids and tortoises kept in larger enclosures with a genuine basking zone.

Not suitable for: nocturnal or fossorial species with little to no UV-B requirement, and enclosures too shallow to keep the animal at or beyond the 250mm/10" minimum distance.

Replace the tube every 12 months, even if it still lights normally – Arcadia states a 12-month lifespan before UV-B output has faded enough to need a change, well before the visible light dims. Wipe the reflector and tube periodically; dust on either reduces the UVI reaching the enclosure.

This is a mains-powered fixture. Keep it clear of water and condensation, don't handle the fitting or cable with wet hands, and switch off at the wall before replacing the tube or servicing the fixture. Maintain the 250mm/10" minimum distance between lamp and reptile at all times, and don't run the fixture without its reflector in place.

Once this fixture is up and running, you only need to replace the tube itself each year rather than the whole kit – see the Arcadia T5 90cm 39w UVB Tube for a bare replacement in the same wattage.

Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to this product regardless of any additional terms. Arcadia does not publish a specific warranty period for this kit on its own site, so we haven't stated one here – your ACL rights stand either way. Contact us with your order details if the fixture or tube arrives faulty.

Does this kit include everything I need to set up UV-B lighting?

Yes for the lighting itself – tube, reflective fixture, mains cable, fittings and a link cable are all included. It doesn't include a heat globe, thermostat or UV meter.

What's the difference between Forest, Desert and Dragon?

It's the UV-B percentage and the resulting UV Index: Forest 6% is the lowest output, suited to shade and forest species; Desert 12% and Dragon 14% are higher output for species that bask in strong sun, such as bearded dragons and uromastyx.

How close should the fixture be to my reptile?

Arcadia states a minimum of 250mm/10" from lamp to reptile. Beyond that, use the UV gradient table above and your species' Ferguson zone to set the right basking distance.

Does a mesh screen affect the UV reading?

Yes. Arcadia says a stainless steel mesh guard can reduce UVI by 30% or more, and black mesh blocks even more than stainless. The figures in this listing assume open air with no mesh.

How often do I need to replace the tube?

Every 12 months. UV-B output fades well before the tube looks any dimmer, so replacing on a calendar schedule rather than waiting for it to "look" worn out is the safer approach.