Arcadia T5 120cm 54w UVB Tube
Wattage
54 W
UV zone
Forest 6%: Ferguson Zones 1-2 (no reflector) / 2-3 (with reflector). Desert 12% & Dragon 14%: Zones 3-4.
Replace every
12 months
Arcadia T5 120cm 54w UVB Tube
A full-length replacement tube for an existing T5 fixture. This is a bare 120cm/54w T5 UV-B tube — no reflector, no controller — in three strengths: Forest 6%, Desert 12% and Dragon 14%. It's built to go into a T5 fixture you already own, most often when the tube inside an Arcadia Pro T5 kit reaches the end of its 12-month life and only the lamp itself needs replacing.
Key features
- Genuine Arcadia 120cm/54w T5 UV-B tube, sold as the bare lamp only
- Three UV-B strengths — Forest 6%, Desert 12% or Dragon 14% — for different Ferguson zones
- Matches the tube fitted inside Arcadia's 120cm/54w Pro T5 kit, for straightforward replacement
- 12-month tube life: UV-B output drops well before the tube stops looking bright
Specifications
| Style | SKU | Barcode | UV-B | Wattage | Length | Ferguson zone suited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest 6% | AA2519 | 844046006516 | 6% | 54w | 120cm | Zones 1-2 without a reflector, 2-3 with one |
| Desert 12% | AA2517 | 844046006547 | 12% | 54w | 120cm | Zones 3-4 |
| Dragon 14% | AA2518 | 844046012296 | 14% | 54w | 120cm | Zones 3-4 |
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 — no reflector, mains cable or T5 controller is included. You need an existing T5 fixture to fit it into, such as the Arcadia Pro T5 Kit 120cm 54w, before this tube will produce any usable UV-B.
UV gradient
Figures below are Arcadia's own readings for this tube range, taken at the strongest point directly under the lamp fitted in a suitable reflector, using a Solarmeter 6.5. Arcadia publishes one UVI-by-distance chart across its 24w, 39w and 54w Forest/Desert/Dragon tubes rather than a separate chart per wattage, and states a minimum distance from lamp to reptile of 250mm/10". Readings below 380mm aren't published for Desert 12% or Dragon 14% because Arcadia flags that range as "use with caution" or "not advised".
| Distance | Forest 6% | Desert 12% | Dragon 14% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300mm / 12" | 4.50 | Use with caution | Not advised |
| 380mm / 15" | 3.60 | 6.50 | 7.00 |
| 450mm / 18" | 2.90 | 4.40 | 5.50 |
| 500mm / 20" | 2.50 | 3.80 | 4.60 |
| 600mm / 24" | 1.20 | 2.40 | 3.20 |
These figures assume a suitable reflector and no mesh in the way. A stainless steel mesh guard can cut UVI by 30% or more, and black mesh blocks even more than stainless, according to Arcadia. Without any reflector at all, expect a noticeably lower reading than the table above — Arcadia doesn't publish bare, unreflected figures for this tube.
Suitable for / not suitable for
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, particularly in the larger 120cm enclosures this tube length is made for.
Not suitable for: nocturnal or fossorial species with little to no UV-B requirement, and any fixture that can't hold the tube at least 250mm/10" from the animal.
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. Wipe the tube and reflector regularly; dust on either cuts 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. Support the full 120cm length so it isn't resting under its own weight on the end caps.
Goes well with
If you don't already have a fixture for this tube, the Arcadia Pro T5 Kit 120cm 54w gives you a matching reflector, cabling and fittings 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 include a fixture?
No. This is the bare 120cm/54w tube only. You need an existing T5 controller/reflector fixture, such as the Arcadia Pro T5 Kit 120cm 54w, to run it.
Will this fit my existing Arcadia Pro T5 120cm kit?
Yes — it's the same 120cm/54w tube fitted inside that kit, in the same three UV-B strengths, so it's a straightforward annual replacement.
What's the difference between Forest, Desert and Dragon?
It's the UV-B percentage and 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.
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 a reflector and no mesh.
How often do I need to replace it?
Every 12 months, even if it still looks bright — UV-B output fades well before visible light does.
