uv lights.. how many..

peterm15 · 02-01-05, 12:14 PM

i have the option on getting a one light fixture and a 2 light.. i was thinking 2 but i have heard of overdoses, i dont know if lights did this or powder... but either way it will be mounted inside the cage along with 2 ceremic light fixtures..

so ahould i use 1 or 2.. when i get the cage done ill post pcs to try to get some advive on where to put the ceremic fixtures to get a proper gradient and basking and night drop...

drewlowe · 02-01-05, 05:01 PM

1 will do, but if you want to use the one with 2 you can. I wouldn't suggest using 2 5.0 bulbs, but you can use one 5.0 and a 2.0 even though it's more money for 2.

For my beardies i don't use 2 but for my chameleon i do. I use it the way above one of them is a 5.0 and the other is a plant light that is 2.0.

Jamie

peterm15 · 02-01-05, 08:22 PM

thank you.. thats what ill prob do... maybe just use one normal bulb.. add nore light..

beardiedragon · 02-02-05, 08:59 AM

it would be almost impossible to have too much UVB from florescent fixtures. At 10-12 inches they put out about 10-15 uW/cm² compared to the sun that puts out 300-500. Just make sure you use a good quallity bulb and have it within 10-12 inches. Replace it every 6 months. If you want to increase the UVB output of your lamp, put a sheet of mylar behind it and you can almost double the UVB output.

DragnDrop · 02-02-05, 09:38 AM

Mylar is a metalized plastic sheeting capable of reflecting about 98% of the light that hits it. It does not increase the UV output. The UV light can only produce a given amount of UV, no amount of mylar will increase that. The mylar will however reflect the light that would normally gets directed upwards into the light fixture where it's basically useless, sending it down into the enclosure. You also have to be careful just which Mylar product you use since many of them can absorb UV light. If you're not careful you might just end up with a UV-B absorbing Mylar product which is quite possible with the reflective films.

peterm15 · 02-02-05, 06:14 PM

so yould u guys say 2 uv lights is a good idea.. and where can you get Mylar..

concept3 · 02-02-05, 06:31 PM

One good quality uvb light will be plenty and you really dont need Mylar. Like beardiedragon said, just replace evry 6 months and you will be fine./