Vivarium Lighting: Fluorescent

Introduction

Lighting doesn't need to cost a fortune, and high-output LEDs aren't always necessary. When it comes to keeping projects budget-friendly, working with fluorescent bulbs is often a great way to go. We carry a handful of CFL and T5HO fluorescent options for those looking to build a live vivarium on a budget. These inexpensive options are pretty old-school at this point, but they work great with costs considered. Below we'll get into the pros and cons of the fluorescent options we carry.

The "Pros" of fluorescent lighting

The lumen output (visual brightness) of fluorescent lights sometimes meets or exceeds the LEDs they compete with! For humans looking at the enclosure, it will be (just about) as bright as any competing LED option. If your inhabitant species benefits from temperatures higher than your room temperature, fluorescent bulbs are an especially good choice for daytime warmth. Some enthusiasts use CFLs during winter for added heat and LEDs in warmer months. CFL bulbs can easily be upgraded to Jungle Dawn or Value Grow LEDs using the same fixture down the road, if you ever decide to go that route! Most fluorescent options end up being 20-50% less expensive than their LED counterparts.

The "Cons" of fluorescent lighting

Fluorescent options typically have lower PAR output, higher heat output, greater energy consumption, and a shorter useful lifespan when compared to our LED options. While fluorescent bulbs are very bright visually (lumens), the amount of measurable PAR light (what grows plants) is typically lower then the competing LED. The lower PAR output will make growing certain "high light" plants (moss, bromeliads, certain orchids, etc) a little more difficult. After 8-18 months of use, the PAR light output of fluorescent lights will have degraded considerably, and will require replacement to keep output in the acceptable range. Many people will upgrade to LEDs at that time, or simply purchase new fluorescent bulbs and continue on. The yearly replacement cost isn't much though, considering the cost difference per bulb. A 5-year supply of CFLs can be had for the cost of about one LED!

A quick word about UVB

Certain animals require UVB light to naturally process vitamin D3, but the actual environments we build (i.e. plants) do not require UVB light to thrive. Plants require PAR light (photosynthetically active radiation), which is measured between 400-720nm, while UVB light is measured between 290-320nm. If the inhabitant species you care for will benefit from UVB lighting, you should offer a UVB basking spot. If the animal(s) you are working with don't require or benefit from light in the UVB spectrum, your environment won't require it either. The UVB light you choose will depend on your animal species.

The verdict

Fluorescent bulbs are a perfectly good choice for first-time builders, anyone working with warmth-loving species, and for anyone building on a budget. If you aren't sure, you can always start with CFLs for a very low investment and upgrade to LEDs later if you'd like. Each of the horizontal fixtures below will work great with CFLs, Value Grow, and Jungle Dawn LEDs!