UV question

Toothless · 08-08-13, 05:50 PM

I am planning to add a UV tube light to my enclosure, and was wondering what the recommended distance is from the light to the basking surface? I know they have to be fairly close, but do not know what the actual distance is.
Also, is a certain type of UV bulb better than another? I have two four foot fluorescent tube lights in the enclosure at the moment, and am looking to change one out into a UV bulb. I'm curious to know if there will be a change in his behaviour once he has the option of UVB (and of course how much he will use it).

infernalis · 08-08-13, 09:55 PM

I use it, can't really say it changes behaviour. I have my tube about 18 inches up off the dirt.

Use it? they don't really sit under it, and they did knock it down once.

Toothless · 08-08-13, 11:17 PM

Thanks for the reply

.
Did you always have UVB available and if not when did you add it? Would it be better to place it in the same area as the second basking site, or in its own area?

murrindindi · 08-09-13, 02:00 PM

Hi, if you`re using one of the cheaper brands of UVB fluorescent tubes such as a 5-0, they need to be within a maximum of 25cm (10 inches) of the surface of the animal to be of any use, closer is better. Further than 10inches they are all but worthless in regard to the UVB, though o.k for some supplementary light.
I`ve used a variety of UVB emitting bulbs over the years; Powersun, Megaray, Arcadia (which are MVB`s ), as far as I can tell there has been absolutely no difference in behaviour or health in my monitors since I stopped using them around 2 years ago.
By far the best type in terms of the UVB (the closest to natural unfiltered sunlight) are the metal halide bulbs, though they are quite expensive, and do require an external ballast.

Toothless · 08-09-13, 04:23 PM

That is very helpful information- thanks

. I am planning to build a retes stack under the tube light, so can make sure he gets within the recommended distance. If I find he never uses it, then I can stick the fluorescent one back in when the UVB tube needs to be replaced.
I looked at the pet store today, and could only find 2 foot long UVB tube lights in the reptile section. Is there somewhere else I can find one 4 feet long, or will I most likely have to order one if the pet store doesn't have any that large in stock? Are there certain aquarium lights that emit UVB as I noticed them have a bunch of them that are long enough?

murrindindi · 08-09-13, 04:38 PM

I`m living in the U.K at this time so cannot tell you where to buy the tubes, but I`m fairly sure they might sell them on Ebay (they do here in England), and probably much cheaper than the petshop, even if it`s exactly the same make.
You cannot use the aquarium tubes.

Toothless · 08-09-13, 05:13 PM

Thanks again

.
I'll have a look at ebay and see what I can find.

infernalis · 08-10-13, 07:56 AM

Clearance racks at big pet stores.

I got a stack of UVB (zoo med) tubes for a couple bucks each in a clearance bin.

Toothless · 08-10-13, 02:51 PM

I managed to find a 4 footer that says 10.0 and another that says 5.0.
What's the difference between the two?

infernalis · 08-10-13, 05:55 PM

5.0 is for jungle/rain forest animals, 10.0 is for desert dwelling animals.

formica · 08-11-13, 02:13 PM

I use a 10% UV CFL alongside my basking lamps, both the basking lamps and the UV are E27 fitting so I have them all in one bank together, £20 from exo terra for the bulb on ebay, ment to be changed every 6 months

the exo terra CFL's are supposed to be effective within 60cm, although my bank is only about 10inches from the basking surface

my Savs colors seem to be far more vibrant (darker browns, brighter yellows) after a few minutes basking now that he has UV aswell, this is not a change I noticed with just the heat lights, cant say if it is the UV, but I believe its pretty essential for reptiles that bask in full sun in nature

murrindindi · 08-11-13, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

my Savs colors seem to be far more vibrant (darker browns, brighter yellows) after a few minutes basking now that he has UV aswell, this is not a change I noticed with just the heat lights, cant say if it is the UV, but I believe its pretty essential for reptiles that bask in full sun in nature

Hi, I respectfully disagree that UVB/sunlight is "essential" for captive Varanids. It`s been demonstrated by many keepers across the world that when properly supported they live long, healthy and productive lives without exposure to either natural or artificial UVB.
I think the reason your monitor may appear to be more colourful is simply the amount of illumination (I think it IS important to provide good quality lighting).

formica · 08-11-13, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, I respectfully disagree that UVB/sunlight is "essential" for captive Varanids. It`s been demonstrated by many keepers across the world that when properly supported they live long, healthy and productive lives without exposure to either natural or artificial UVB.
I think the reason your monitor may appear to be more colourful is simply the amount of illumination (I think it IS important to provide good quality lighting).

the color change takes a short while to happen, its not down to the illumination itself - it might be down to the heat, quite a few reptiles darken to absorb heat.

if a reptile is supplemented with D3, then UV is less important, however, synthetic vitamins have been shown to be less effective than natural vitamins, and they are not the same, structurally, as naturally occurring molecules, even if they are made up of the same atoms, even the slightest differences in the orientation of atoms within a molecule can have significant difference on the way it interacts with the body. there are also issues with dosage, when a reptile is provided with UV, its body will produce D3 as it needs, and in the form that it has evolved to utilize to stay healthy.

I should also point out, that as no one has kept monitors to the age that they reach in the wild, it cannot be said, that it has been proven that UV is not important, infact imo its fairly clear that current care techniques, as much as they may have advanced in recent years, are lacking in ways that have not yet been fully understood.

murrindindi · 08-11-13, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

I should also point out, that as no one has kept monitors to the age that they reach in the wild, it cannot be said, that it has been proven that UV is not important, infact imo its fairly clear that current care techniques, as much as they may have advanced in recent years, are lacking in ways that have not yet been fully understood.

Hi again, can you please give details of the ages the different species reach in the wild so we can try and get a few comparisons?
In your experience, how old were "they" at death in captivity when fully supported (even without UVB, which you say is essential)?
I suspect that most monitors in the wild do NOT live to any great age (for a number of reasons).

Toothless · 08-11-13, 05:32 PM

So should I get the 5.0 or the 10.0? I'm planning to get everything ready and have it in there sometime this week. The only thing left to do is build a retes stack for under the lights, but I need to know exactly how far I need the platform to go up. Would 14 inches from the lights be sufficient, or should I bring it closer?