UV Bulbs

Luke · 10-05-03, 10:30 PM

On the Repti Glo 8.0 bulbs it says they should be used in conjunction with Repti Glo 2.0. Why is that? And is it really necessary? Just wanted to hear people views on this.
Thanks a lot everyone,
Luke

Trace · 10-06-03, 05:24 PM

Hi Luke!

Quote:

On the Repti Glo 8.0 bulbs it says they should be used in conjunction with Repti Glo 2.0. Why is that?

Probably to sell more product?

Honestly I don't think that 2.0 bulb does anything beneficial beyond providing more light for your chameleon. In conjuction with the 8.0, it may simulate a blending of light waves that imitates the real sun. I could be completely wrong about that though.

I use the Reptisun 5.0 or the Iguana Light 5.0 (same bulb, same manufacturer, different packaging) for most of my chameleon cages. This seems to be the consensus among chameleon owners as being one of the best fluorescent bulbs to use. Certainly these 8.0 bulbs are tempting to try because of the higher UVB output, but until I see some proven data on these new bulbs, I think a lot of it is just commercial propaganda. I also think the ratio of UVA to UBV in the 5.0 bulbs is better than the 8.0 tubes.

Interesting topic though, and I think this could possibly bring up some good discussions here though. I'm always interested in others views on this matter.

Cheers!

Trace

eyespy · 10-06-03, 06:55 PM

I think the reason they recommend the 2.0 used along with the 8.0 is that the 2.0 gives off more UVA so you get a nice blend of both types of UV lighting. But if you are using an incandescent bulb as a basking bulb, that's probably giving off more UVA than any fluorescent bulb, unless it's got a frosted coating on it.

Anyhow, I agree with Trace. Anytime I've ever seen anybody compare actual output with a UV radiometer, the Reptisun 5.0s consistently give out more nanometers of UVB than any other fluorescent bulb, even the ones rated at 8.0.

J-Man · 10-07-03, 08:56 AM

I use the exact same bulb as trace.

choriona · 10-07-03, 09:52 AM

sorta on the same topic, does anyone know where to get a testing device for UVA/UVB rays? I heard there was a credit-card type thing that changed colors based on the wavelengths or intensity. I'd love to have one if one exists.
One of my chams has a "sylvania"GRO-LUX Daylight Electronic Compact Fluorescent bulb. It is not a tube, but screws into normal light sockets. He has had this for an entire year and a half and he shows no ill side effects. He is active, has a great appetite, beautiful colors, and his body shape is completely normal.

I know that you should change the bulb every 6 months because it loses its UV output, but don't really understand how this happens. Hence, one of those output readers would be great to own.

wyz · 10-07-03, 10:14 AM

I once read a little book created by Hagen and they suggest the 2.0 for ANY herps in order to give them some light. So it's a good way to sell those neons to beginners who aren't yet sure what to use.

Stick with the 5.0 you'll be ok.

I agree, the 2.0 is simply a normal light source, I wouldn't use it for any herps in need of UVB.

WYZ

drewlowe · 10-07-03, 10:25 AM

I'm thinking about getting a uv tester. But this one is a smaller hand held one that you hold about 12 inches from the light (needs to be on) then it measures the uv. My vet has one and said he can get them for me but they're around 250 USD.

I have bulbs that i have taken out after 6 months that i had sitting around (i would use them for my snakes when the uv ran out) had them tested and they were still usable. I have one that's hitting a year now and it's still going strong. So i'm really thinking about getting one cause in the long run it would save me tons of money. Specally now that i have 2 spieces using uvb.

eyespy · 10-07-03, 03:53 PM

There is mercury inside the bulbs that is used to generate the UVB light, and after time most of the gas is used up. The bulbs still glow because there is still fluoron and other stuff plus all the electrical stuff is still intact , but the mercury tends to get used up quicker.

drewlowe · 10-07-03, 04:01 PM

Eyespy that's why you would do the uv test right? The vet tested them for me and said they were still good. I take them back every few month to get tested if they don't contain enough uv then they go to the snakes (when the bulb actually runs out of the uv necessary for my beardies). No point in throwing away a good florescent light if i still can get use of it.

eyespy · 10-07-03, 04:10 PM

Right, that's why you'd test them. I don't know anybody with a radiometer that is less than 3 hours for me, so I don't usually get my bulbs tested. By the time I gas up I've paid for a new bulb.

eyespy · 10-07-03, 04:23 PM

I looked up ratings for Sylvania Gro-Lux bulbs, and they, like all other plant lights, are coated to block UVB so that humans don't develop cataracts and skin damage from being exposed to them.

It's good you haven't noticed any ill effects from using the bulb, but I'd consider getting a better UVB bulb so they don't develop. It can take a long time for the symptoms of MBD to show up sometimes if the animal had good mineral reserves when it lost exposure to UVB.

http://dels.nas.edu/ilar/jour_online...mmendation.asp

Luke · 10-07-03, 09:46 PM

Thanks a lot guys thats what I figured, I thought it was just another way for Hagen to sell even more stock.
Thanks again guys,
Luke

Collide · 10-08-03, 01:02 AM

Hey I use the same as trace, I have 4' floresent fixtures which have 2 slots, they do two inclosures for me. and provide lots of light.

I have also tryed the reptisun halogens which were great, seen nice reslts in my chams, the only prob was that the bulbs would burn out after 6 months when there sopsed to last for 2 years and were expencive. ok theres my 2 cents

wyz · 10-08-03, 12:14 PM

Drew !

what brand do you use ?

And how long would you say they last ? Since you have them tested, how long do they work ok ?

thanks.

WYZ

drewlowe · 10-08-03, 02:22 PM

wxy i use zoo med 5.0. The bulb i have in my beardie tank is going strong after a year. Then i have 2 extra bulbs that i took out after 6 months that i just recently got tested and they are still good. You never know when they are going to go. My vet said he knows of one that lasted 3 years and he says he's seen some bad right out the box. So you never know unless you get them tested.

The meter he uses and the one i'm going to be buying is around 170. Not bad if i can save that money on bulbs and even more with time. Here's a link http://www.solarmeter.com/about.html