Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit

Overview

What it is and who it suits

The Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit is a complete lighting housing unit designed to deliver safe, controlled ultraviolet output for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates kept in vivarium or terrarium environments. Built around Arcadia's reputed T5 high output fluorescent technology, the kit pairs a precision-engineered reflector unit with a compatible ProT5 lamp to maximize UVB and UVA penetration throughout the enclosure. The reflector housing itself is constructed from a specially formulated material that reflects light forward rather than absorbing it, which means more of the lamp's beneficial output actually reaches the animal rather than being lost within the fixture. This design consideration is especially important for species that require strong, consistent UVB exposure to properly synthesize vitamin D3 and maintain healthy calcium metabolism.

Inside the box, keepers receive the housing unit, end caps, and mounting hardware needed to suspend or affix the fixture above a tank, rack, or open-top enclosure, along with the correctly paired ProT5 lamp itself, available in various UVB percentages to match the needs of forest dwelling, woodland, or full-sun basking species. The kit is engineered with ventilation in mind, allowing heat generated by the lamp to dissipate efficiently rather than building up inside the fixture, which helps extend lamp life and keeps the unit operating at consistent output levels over time. Arcadia designed the ProT5 range specifically to counteract the common problem of UVB degradation and weak light spread found in cheaper compact fluorescent or inferior linear tube setups, giving reptile keepers a more dependable tool for replicating natural daylight conditions indoors.

Suited for use with bearded dragons, chameleons, tortoises, monitor lizards, snakes, and a wide range of other UVB-dependent species, the Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit is intended to function as a long-term lighting solution rather than a temporary fix. Hobbyists and professional breeders alike favor it for its combination of durability, reliable light output, and relatively straightforward installation across differently sized enclosures. Because UVB strength diminishes gradually with lamp age even when visible light appears unchanged, Arcadia recommends routine replacement schedules to maintain therapeutic UV levels, and the ProT5 housing makes swapping lamps simple without needing to replace the entire fixture. Overall, the kit represents a dedicated, husbandry-focused lighting investment aimed at supporting the long-term health, behavior, and physiological needs of captive reptiles and exotic pets.

What stands out

1. 01High-output T5 fluorescent UVB lamp included (6% or 12% options)
2. 02Integrated reflector canopy increases usable UVB output by up to 500% vs non-reflective fixtures
3. 03Available in 18W, 24W, 39W and 54W lamp lengths to fit various enclosure sizes
4. 04On/off rocker switch built into the unit housing
5. 05Slimline aluminum housing designed for secure vivarium mounting
6. 06Compatible with Arcadia's full range of ProT5 replacement lamps

Specifications

The numbers that matter

Pros & cons

Where it shines, where it doesn't