UV Lamp

[tHeGiNo]

Hey there! Hows it going everyone. Well I decided I would get my beardie a UV lamp. Well I wasn't quite sure which to get him, so I got the Desert Terrarium Lamp, the ReptiGlo 8.0. I was wondering if this is too strong? Also will the UV rays go through the plastic shade on the light fixture?

[eyespy]

Nope, not too strong at all. In fact, even though it's rated at 8%, the Reptisun 5.0 is actually "stronger". Those measurements can be very deceiving. It's a measurement of how much of the overall light output falls within the ultraviolet spectrum vs other wavelengths. It's not a measurement of how much UVB is actually produced. Bulbs that produce more visible light might have a lower percentage rating even though they produce just as much or more UVB.

It's a decent bulb though and as long as you change it after 6 months your beardies should be fine. The gases that produce the UVB get used up long before the bulb burns out so you do need to replace it even though it looks like it's still churning out the rays.

Yes, UVB will go through the plastic but not all of it. I'd take off the shade and let it all shine through.