Arcadia Pro T5 UVB 8w
Wattage
8 W
UV zone
Ferguson Zones 1-2
Fitting
T5, 16 mm
Replace every
12 months
Voltage
220-240V 50Hz
Running cost a year
$11
Mounting distance
About 30 cm to basking spot
Tube length
31.5 cm
Arcadia Pro T5 UVB 8w
A genuine Arcadia UV-B tube for crepuscular and shade species. This is a bare 8w T5 replacement tube – no fixture, no controller – sold in two strengths: 2.4% UV-B for arboreal shade dwellers such as crested geckos, and 7% for terrestrial crepuscular species such as leopard geckos. Both are low-output lamps built around a basking distance of roughly 30cm, for animals that need gentle UV-B rather than an open desert basking zone.
Key features
- Genuine Arcadia 8w T5 UV-B tube, sold as the bare lamp only
- 2.4% UV-B (arboreal/shade) or 7% UV-B (terrestrial/crepuscular) options
- Designed around the low basking demands of shade-dwelling and crepuscular species
- 12-month tube life: UV-B output drops well before the tube stops looking bright
Specifications
| Style | SKU | Barcode | UV-B | Wattage | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4% | AA3106 | 5060127656943 | 2.4% | 8w | T5 |
| 7% | AA3107 | 844046000583 | 7% | 8w | T5 |
Which Arcadia T5 do I need?
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.
| Tube | UV-B output | Ferguson zone suited | Typical species groups | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShadeDweller 2.4% | 2.4% | Zones 1-2 | Crested geckos and other shade-dwelling arboreal species | T5 8w bare tube |
| ShadeDweller 7% | 7% | Crepuscular / partial-sun baskers | Leopard geckos, small day geckos, amphibians, hatchling snakes | T5 8w bare tube |
| Forest 6% | 6% | Zones 1-2 without a reflector, 2-3 with one | Chameleons, day geckos, water dragons, blue tongue skinks | T5 24w / 39w / 54w |
| Desert 12% | 12% | Zones 3-4 | Bearded dragons, uromastyx, agamids, tortoises | T5 24w / 39w / 54w |
| Dragon 14% | 14% | Zones 3-4, top of the range | Bearded dragons, uromastyx, frilled dragons, large desert baskers | T5 24w / 39w / 54w |
What's included / what you'll still need
This listing is the tube only. It does not include a fixture, reflector or T5 controller – you need a suitable T5 housing to run it in, such as the Arcadia 8W Pro T5 UVB Kit, before this tube will light up at all.
UV gradient
Arcadia's own figures below are taken at the strongest point directly under the lamp fitted in a suitable reflector, using a Solarmeter 6.5. Arcadia doesn't publish separate open-air, no-reflector readings for this tube, so treat these as the figures you'll see once it's mounted in a reflective fixture – expect meaningfully less if you run it without one.
| Distance | 2.4% UV-B | 7% UV-B |
|---|---|---|
| 200mm / 8" | 0.80 | – |
| 250mm / 10" | 0.65 | 0.80 |
| 300mm / 12" | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| 375mm / 15" | 0.30 | 0.45 |
| 450mm / 18" | – | 0.30 |
Arcadia designs the 2.4% lamp around a basking distance of roughly 30cm/12" for species like crested geckos, and the 7% lamp around a similar distance for leopard geckos. A stainless steel mesh guard can reduce UVI by 30% or more, and black mesh blocks even more than stainless – the figures above assume open air with no mesh.
Suitable for / not suitable for
Suitable for: 2.4% suits arboreal, shade-dwelling species such as crested geckos and other Ferguson zone 1-2 climbers. 7% suits crepuscular, partial-sun terrestrial species such as leopard geckos, small day geckos, amphibians and hatchling snakes.
Not suitable for: desert or open-basking species such as bearded dragons or uromastyx – this low-wattage tube is built for shade dwellers, not high-UV baskers. For those species see the Desert 12% or Dragon 14% Arcadia T5 tubes instead.
Care and maintenance
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. Keep the tube and any reflector free of dust, which reduces the UVI reaching the enclosure.
Safety
T5 tubes run through a mains-powered controller or ballast. Keep all wiring and fittings clear of water and condensation, don't handle connections with wet hands, and isolate power at the wall before fitting or replacing the tube.
Goes well with
You'll need a fixture to run this tube in – see the Arcadia 8W Pro T5 UVB Kit for a complete tube-and-reflector option in the same wattage.
Warranty and delivery
Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to this product regardless of any additional terms. Arcadia does not publish a specific warranty period for this tube on its own site, so we haven't stated one here – your ACL rights stand either way. Contact us with your order details if a tube arrives faulty.
Common questions
Does this come with a fixture?
No. This is the bare 8w T5 tube only. You need a T5 controller or reflector fixture to run it – the Arcadia 8W Pro T5 UVB Kit is a matching option.
What's the difference between the 2.4% and 7% versions?
2.4% is aimed at arboreal, shade-dwelling species such as crested geckos. 7% is aimed at crepuscular, partial-sun terrestrial species such as leopard geckos. Both are low-output tubes built for shade dwellers rather than desert baskers.
Will this work for a bearded dragon?
No. Both strengths here are built for shade and crepuscular species. A bearded dragon needs the higher UV Index of a Desert 12% or Dragon 14% Arcadia T5 tube.
How often should I replace it?
Every 12 months, even if it still looks bright – UV-B output fades well before visible light does.
