Equipment Review and Discussion :: Which UVA/UVB and Heat lamp would be best?

Various accessories and equipment discussed here.

Post Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 4:11 pm   

No, a UVB bulb "near" your room is not going to cause skin cancer. Being out in the sun unprotected, especially during the time of the day when UVB rays are most intense, will, over time increase the risk of the disease. The strength of the rays in regular UVB lights in no way compared to what is given off by the sun. I would, however, not spend time looking at the light, however, especially in a close range, because over time that can cause damage.

Questionnone, a UVB light also will give UVA rays. I would not worry about trying to provide UVA rays---your turtle will get them from a UVB light. For me, the strength would depend on how far the bulb was from the basking turtle (you didn't say). The 5% UVB and 30% UVA is pretty standard. I prefer Reptisun tubes simply because they've been around longer and are known to be dependable. Many use Reptiglo's with no apparent negative effects. You want the UVB light and heat source to be over the basking area. If you can position a tube and heat source to do that and want to use a tube, fine.

A reputable UVB light shouldn't hurt your turtle's eyes. In the past few years some newer bulbs were made using phosphors that would cause something like snow blindness if placed too close to a turtle, but as I said, a reputable bulb should be fine.
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:39 am   

TurtleKid199 wrote:placing a uvb bulb near your room may cause one skin cancer?
My mum asked though

Not as long as the light is contained.

I'd go with a Mega-Ray.
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Post Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 2:00 am   

Chances of UVA and UVB giving u skin cancer is only 3%. The real deal is UVC rays
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Post Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:59 pm   

ok, after searching... i'll just ask...

as for the ReptiGlo and ReptiSun, what "wattage" should i get??
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Post Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:14 pm   

freshprince2146 wrote:
TurtleLover_S&B wrote:Well when I had my turtles, I used this UVB light. I"m pretty sure it has UVA & UVB in it.

[img]http://[name%20removed].com/store/images/PT2187_EX_RepGlo_5UVB_26W_INT.gif[/img]


Im pretty sure that it doesn't give off uva. Somebody correct me if i'm wrong.

:roll: :roll: :?: it doesnt. its very important that your turtles get UVA and UVB, without the UVA it wont eat and will gat a soft shell, without the UVB it will not get proper calcium absorbtion.(which is needed to make the shell)
you should get a second lamp and buy a UVA bulb withyour UVB bulb I recommend zoo med. :)
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Post Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:17 pm   

KatieSmeltzer wrote:ok, after searching... i'll just ask...

as for the ReptiGlo and ReptiSun, what "wattage" should i get??

It depends, how many gallons is your tank? :o
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Post Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:01 pm   

Once again....UVB bulbs also give off UVA rays.

For conventional UVB bulbs, get one that will emit at least 5% UVB rays. I have never gone by wattage with UVB bulbs. For the heat source (an incandescent bulb) use a wattage that put the basking area temp in the range of 88 - 90F.
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Post Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:23 pm   

turtle man wrote:
KatieSmeltzer wrote:ok, after searching... i'll just ask...

as for the ReptiGlo and ReptiSun, what "wattage" should i get??

It depends, how many gallons is your tank? :o


20 gallon (my turt's still a little guy)
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Post Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 10:07 pm   

uva:60-75 watt. uvb:about 5-10
p.s HOW did you write that in 2009!!!!!!
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Post Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:07 pm   

TurtleKid199 wrote:placing a uvb bulb near your room may cause one skin cancer?
My mum asked though


Only if you are in direct contact with the light for a long time
If its pointing directly on the turtles tank you should be fine
If you can't see the light then your good
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Post Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:27 pm   Re: Which UVA/UVB and Heat lamp would be best?

Hello :) I just got my Flippers a new 36 in tank (50 gal) and it has like a division in the middle making that (18 in) and I wanted to get her a UVB light because right now she doesnt have one. She has her basking area with a reptile bulb that emits UVA and she loves to lay there, (this space takes up about half of the tank) so the other "half" really doesnt have that much light and I wanted to get a UVB that was about 18 inches. What is recommended? Flipps is about 5 - 5.5 inches long (need to go measure her ...). I was researching online and there are many different bulbs but I am not sure which one would be best for:

50 gal (36 in tank) - I really only need the UVB for about half the tank (-> 18 in)
She is 5 - 5.5 inches long
She already has a UVA bulb

Any suggestions would be great :) (wattage, brand, etc...)

Thanks! :mrgreen:
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Post Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:57 pm   Re: Which UVA/UVB and Heat lamp would be best?

Would you be interested in a UVB tube? Reptisuns make good ones, and I think Zilla sells a hood+bulb set.
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Post Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:08 am   Re: Which UVA/UVB and Heat lamp would be best?

Yes , actually the uvb tube is what I am looking for . How much wattage do you think is good?
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Post Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:21 pm   Re: Which UVA/UVB and Heat lamp would be best?

For their tubes, I think the wattage is based on the length of the tube. For strength, go with a 5.0
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Post Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 12:53 am   Re: Which UVA/UVB and Heat lamp would be best?

Perfect ! I found a zilla one 18 in , 5.0 strength , and a slim 18 in by 4 in fixture ! Thanks !
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