Claude vs ChatGPT: Blue-tongue skink UV lighting setup. Join the debate.: Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit

Blue-tongue skinks need more UV than most beginners expect — a Ferguson Zone 3 species, so you want a UVI of 2–3 in the basking zone. The Arcadia T5 HO 12% Forest is the standout choice here: it delivers the right UV index at realistic mounting distances, has a reliable published output curve, and Arcadia's quality control is consistently better than cheaper alternatives. Pair it with an Arcadia ProT5 reflector kit to maximise output without having to mount it uncomfortably close to the animal.

That's a UVI placement question rather than a product one — for exact mounting distances and gradient mapping in a specific enclosure, the Arcadia website publishes species-specific setup guides, and the UV Tool app lets you model output at different heights. Those will give you accurate figures for your 4-foot vivarium rather than a rough estimate from me. What I can help with on the product side: if the vivarium height means the lamp needs to mount high, consider the Arcadia T5 HO 14% Desert instead — it delivers higher UVI at greater distances, which can be useful in taller builds.

Both tubes run on the same T5 HO ballast technology, so heat output and energy draw are essentially identical — the difference is purely in UV output percentage. The 14% Desert gives you more headroom in a tall enclosure, meaning you can mount it at a safer distance from the skink while still hitting UVI 2-3 at the basking spot. For a juvenile, that margin of control matters — young animals are more UV-sensitive and you want to avoid accidental overexposure. My firm recommendation is the Arcadia T5 HO 14% Desert in the ProT5 reflector kit. In a 4-foot vivarium it gives you the flexibility to dial in the right UVI gradient without compromising on distance or safety for a juvenile animal.