Habitat - Indoor :: Lighting Confusion

[bmm1001]

I'm currently using a full-spectrum bulb, but i'm rather confused about what i've seen about UVA/UVB bulbs.

Basically what I want to know is this: Can I get everything my turtle needs, UVA, UVB and heat, from a single bulb? If so, what brand and product?

Also, if not, what brands are good for each? I need UVB that fits into a clamp lamp as I don't keep her in a traditional tank.

Will I need to switch wattage as she grows? She's around 3 inches now.

[steve]

"Full-spectrum" does not necessarily mean UVB, the package needs to say that it produces UVB and how much of it.

The only product that is a single bulb UVA, UVB and heat is a self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb (MVB). They are generally $40-50 a pop. They produce a lot of heat and a lot of UVB so use with caution. It's not recommended for small turtles and setups (under 40 gallons) though you probably could with extra care. You do not need to switch wattage, but you should be able to adjust the distance, and you should have the right light fixture for it.

Currently, this one from Reptile UV is one of the better ones: http://www.reptileuv.com/shop/index.php ... cts_id=181

The company did have a few serious issues from a years ago if you look, but they seem to have bounced back. Check their facebook page for a coupon code.

[Kansasslider]

MegaRay bulbs are probably the best (MVB) bulb on the market today. Especially for uvb output. Though I must point out that the 100watt version doesn't put out much heat and you would need another bulb for heat. I own this bulb. Then there is the Powersun bulb.It does put out good heat but not much uvb. Then there is the Solar Glo. It gets good reviews on Amazon. So, you really have 3 choices. I would do some research on each and choose one that way. They all have different prices also.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 75&alt=web