Habitat - Indoor :: uvb lighting for my res?

[yumikoinichi]

hey guys,just wanna ask,i just bought an exo terra reptile uvb 150 desert uvb for my res.is it suitable for an res?is putting it 12 inches away from the water surface suitable?thank you.

[yumikoinichi]

oh,and how do i know my uv bulb is doing its job?i dun have a uv meter,i dont think they sell it here,and im not sure if the uv is really working.thanks

[steve]

If it's a "desert" bulb, you will probably have to keep it further away. As for UVB meters… I'm not sure how to tell without one. CFLs need frequent replacement anyway, but just in case, I would make sure the pellets have some Vit D3.

[yumikoinichi]

but the guidelines on the back of the box says 12 inches or 14 inches for two star reptiles by exo terra standards.so should i follow it?i bought the bulb but the box seems kinda old so im afraid the bulb might not emit uv rays anymore.does the bulb has an expiration date?thanks

[steve]

The desert models are more geared to herps with high UVB requirements. I'm not familiar with their system, but go by their instructions if it is OK for RES. Keep in mind to do a burn-in and carefully check for eye irritation over the first week or so.

[yumikoinichi]

how to say the burn in and eye irritation test,can you explain?sorry im not so familiar with these things.i bought the exo terra glow light clamp lamp,and it is accurately 12 inches from the water surface.what instructions may i ask?im sorry i just bought this uv setting so im still not familiar sorry.thank you.

[yumikoinichi]

oh and i dont have a dense screen cover mentioned outside the,box.

[steve]

Burn in is just operating the bulb for a few hours before placing it to use with the tank.

[yumikoinichi]

okay thanks. what are the signs of eye irritation caused by too much uv?

[steve]

Usually just swollen/puffy/closed eyes.

[yumikoinichi]

okay,i will check for that thank you

[yumikoinichi]

Hii im here again coz i bought a new bulb hehe.this time the choice is tough.i have to choose between exo terra uvb 200 13w and exo terra reptiglo 10.0 26w. I bought the uvb200 but i can change it.the store only have these two bulbs and there is no other store tht sells uvb bulbs.apparently most of the ppl think tht swimming turtles dont need uvb.so my question is which bulb should i get.my bulb is only 9 inches away coz i bought the exo terra porcelain clamp and the height is fixed.i havent find a way to clamp in on a higher place but for now there is no way.thanks

[yumikoinichi]

Oh and os my turtle's eye swollen?im not sure hw to identify. [img][IMG]http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag168/yumikoinichi/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2015-04-28-09-54-01_zpsxwlcmcxk.png[/img][/img]

[steve]

It does not look swollen, but you will want to check the distance of the bulb as well as "burn-in" the bulb.

[yumikoinichi]

Okay.the burn in only require once or a lot of times? And which bulb should i get then,i measured tht i can make it to 12 inches away of the basking spot.which one should i get, uvb 500 13w or reptiglo 10.0 26w?thank you.when i do the burn in, i just switch it on for a few hours and do nothing rite?thanks