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I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:54 am
by sb_Gabbar
hi i`m new here , today i purchased a big tank for my RES ok first i live in india so here i can manage basking spot, but the problem is the pet store owners tell me tht u dnt need lights for turtle, because they dont have it, if i find a bulb at light store written UVB and UVA can i use it for turtle? or there is a Special bulb for that, i have 2 ultra violet led (the one that shows white clothes violet) is it same as UVB?
the pet store owners are big dumb over here and they cant help me , my res is very sad she runs away from me whenever i pick her in hand and all, from past 4 years she didnt saw a UVB bt nw i collected money and i will fulfill her needs, bt i can find abt UVB and UVA bulb pls help.

so i explored more market yesterday
please help me none shopkeeper here knows wats UVC or UVB, they think of normal ultra violet light.
i ask pet shop they told me this is nt an electrical shop. :|

does a normal UVB bulb works, or i have to get a box where its mentioned that its for reptiles only?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 4:53 am
by steve
A proper UVB bulb will be difficult and expensive to acquire in India. This is a specialty bulb, and will likely have a picture of a reptile on the package. If it doesn't say that it produces UVB, then don't expect it to. You will only find this in pet stores and online shops. Reptisun and Arcadia are popular brands, I would start looking for those. Also, some exposure to direct sunlight is beneficial (but don't keep a tank near the window), would you be able to get her some access to it?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:02 am
by sb_Gabbar
ok nw listen, i brought a philips UVB tube 20w and 2 feet long, its UVB (its written on that)
nw just came home and as soon as i turned UVb tube on and kept on top of aquarium the RES came at top saw tube for 1 sec and ran away for life. what colour does reptile UVB throws? coz mine is ultra violet colour,
bt RES ran away like mad and didnt came near it. shld i place tube on top and leave? or shld nt, i searched and found tht there`s only 1 type of UVB nt some specific.

i purchased "philips uvb narrowband tl 20w/01" and its written on that "only for medical use" does that mean my money got wasted :(

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:10 am
by steve
I don't think you should use this with your turtle. Can you post a picture of the box? Can you return it?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:13 am
by sb_Gabbar
i cant return it :( damn my 50 $ i`ll post picture here wait


I am very depressed now :( and i hate my country :(

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:36 am
by steve
I'm sorry :( We all make mistakes when learning on proper care for our turtles.

Maybe if you can find what/where it's used for, you can resell it?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:55 am
by sb_Gabbar
No i think i cant resell it, bt still nw if i get a uvb reptisun i would invest money for my turtle, damn poor turtle, i love her :(

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:31 pm
by ljapa
that appears to be a lamp for phototherapy. Here's an old guide that looked at these types of bulbs for reptiles and recommended against their use:

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyph ... ussion.htm

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:25 pm
by Kansasslider
Can't you use tanning bulbs for turtles? Or are they too strong? A lot of E-bay sellers ship uvb bulbs world wide look into that! Bet you can get one there...? Hope so.

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:39 pm
by Kansasslider
And dont be upset. Maybe I can find your bulb you want and have it sent to you?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 12:06 am
by sb_Gabbar
I would love to receive your help, bt the main thing is of payment i dont own a CC or DC or else i would i`ve gotten till now by ebay as you said.
there are so many things i cant get for her(turtle) no basking area, i dnt think we get egg crated like ur, but i`ll manage tht basking area the main thing is UVB and UVA.
please help me.

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 6:21 am
by Kansasslider
Maybe you have a friend with a cc that would get the bulb on line for you.

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 6:25 am
by sb_Gabbar
i went on e-bay and just to see went till payment page but on address page e-bay gave me notification that this seller dosent ships to your country, and i dont think amazon . com ships to my country none other thn that i got a trustable website who will really ship to my city or country.



i talked to my frnds and they are asking which one shld they buy..

http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Repti-G ... 550&sr=1-1


i gave thm this link is this ok for RES? and how much distance shld i give while placing?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 8:24 am
by Kansasslider
Yes that bulb is fine I have also used the 10.0. That bulb should be placed around 12 inches above basking area. I have been trying to find someone that ships this to India with no luck. Did you find someone? Are you also using a heat bulb ?

Re: I cant get lights anywhere (UVA and UVB)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:47 am
by sb_Gabbar
i am confues abt the heat bulb too, r u telling me to use tht yellow bulb? or a white CFL?