UVB tubes

[LISA127]

I was just wondering how often everyone changes their UVB tubes. You always hear to change them every 6-12 months, so do you all change them after 6 months or just once a year?

Also, anyone have any opinions on good brands of UVB tubes? I heard about these triton tubes that are supposed to be good. What does everyone here use?

Thanks.

[Big Mike]

I have heard that Repti-Sun 5.0 bulbs are some of the best...so that's what I use. So far I have changed it after 6 months. Without some sort of UV meter, you can't tell when it is used up so I figure...better safe than sorry.

[drewlowe]

I used to change the uv bulbs every 6 months as suggested, but my vet informed me that it's not necessary. If you have a uvb light meter (not sure exactly what its called) You can test the bulbs and possible use them longer. I luckly saved all my (supposed old bulbs) I would use them when my floresent light ran out on my snakes or leos cage. Anyway i got them tested and after 1 full year they are still going strong.

[LISA127]

where do u find these meters?

[drewlowe]

i'm looking for the site i knew of to get them, but i'm having problems finding it now. The price was around 170 usd the company name begins with solar_____. just can't think of the last part. I'm looking right now so give me a sec. I'm in the process of saving up for one cause they can save you quite abit of money if you use quite a bit of uv bulbs.

[drewlowe]

http://www.solarmeter.com/model5.html

Here's the link and the 5.0 is the one that my vet uses to test bulbs. I was wrong it's 160 usd still not bad if you can make your bulbs last longer. I know it will save me quite abit of money!!!

Edit: sorry it was just a quick glance on the site and ekkk i need to wake up (need more caffine)!!!! it's the 6.0 he uses and that one is 170 usd.

[LISA127]

thanks! but, i don't know if it would be worth it for me. i only have one diurnal animal that uses UVB tubes regularly. so, maybe i should just change the tubes every six months??

[drewlowe]

Try to see if any vet in your area has one or any herp specialty stores do. For the moment I take my bulbs to my vet to be tested. He also is part owner in a herp pet store and they carry one also. They test the bulbs for free.

It sucks having to drag the bulbs and a fixture to my vet (an hour away) to be tested thats why i want one. Plus i want to get into more lizard that do require uv bulbs so in the long run it will be a good investment for me. He's also said he's seen a few bulbs last up to 3 years. 3 years for one bulb that if i wouldn't have had it tested i would have used up 6 bulbs at say 20 a piece (i pay a little more for my bulbs) thats a $120 and at the current time i have 3 setups (one set up will soon have 2 uvb bulbs on it) with uv lighting so it has the possiblility of saving me a good amount of money.

[drewlowe]

oh forgot to mention i use reptisun 5.0 (zoomed)for my beardies and their babies and also my chameleon. but recently switched my adult beardies to exo-terra 8.0(desert species) (going to get the bulb tested on next vet trip) to see if they are better than the 5.0 zoomeds

[LISA127]

let me know what u find out about that. id be interested to know if the reptisun 5.0 is really better or not.