Equipment Review and Discussion :: Fluorescent Lights

[Leonardo]

I am starting an 80 gallon tank for my guys and I got a used set up from my cousin. He kept fish and has a fluorescent lights fixture that is the length of the tank (4ft). I am wondering if I need this set up. And if I do, the bulbs are Japanese style base lights, where can I find UVB bulbs that fit this fixture?

[Kansasslider]

You don't need uvb the whole length of the tank.Just the basking area! Do you have a basking area?

[steve]

I'm not sure if your fixtures can take standard UVB bulbs either.

[slider_keeper]

If you have a yahoo account, it might be better to ask this question on the UVB Meter Group's post. There is a wealth of knowledge on different types of lights from herptologist around the world. Someone on there will have a good answer for you;)

[Kansasslider]

If you have a yahoo account, it might be better to ask this question on the UVB Meter Group's post. There is a wealth of knowledge on different types of lights from herptologist around the world. Someone on there will have a good answer for you;)

Or 500 different answers

[slider_keeper]

Not at all, this group's experts study reptile lighting and it's effects! They are very knowledgable and the regular participants only talk about lighting!

[Leonardo]

I do have a basking area on my small tank setup right now with a reptisun 5.0 and an incandescent bulb both about 5 inches away. I actually got the fluorescent light ballast up tonight to light up the test guppies I have put in. I will just have my other setup (two lamps) moved over when the boys make the move. Right now I cover their tank at night and they sleep. Being an 80 gallon, then new tank would be a pain to cover, is it necessary to cover RES at night?

[Kansasslider]

No you don't need to cover the tank. You say the bulbs are 5" away? I'm no expert but sounds like they are too close. I keep mine about 12" away. What watt bulb are you useing ? What is the temperature on the basking area? Are the bulbs in domes/clamp lights?

[slider_keeper]

Kansasslider is correct. Your bulbs should be about 12 in. from the turtle's shell. If they are to close they can cause eye problems from dangerous levels of UV Rays.

[Kansasslider]

This is my setup.

[Leonardo]

Oh jeez. Problem fixed. but the regular blue bulb (UVA) is about 8 inches (in a dome lamp)away now. I do not know it's wattage I got it from a friend. The basking area is about 95 degrees. The ReptiSun 5.0 is in a deep dome (Zoomed as well) 12 inches away from the basking dock. It was in a regular desk lamp before when it was 5 inches away, but it stuck out the side really far so I though it should be close. I also believe I remember the box saying something like 8 inches for the reptisun, although they expect it to be used for lizards and whatnot I think.

New problem though! The zoomed reptinsun 5.0 burnt out when I put it in the zoomed deep dome lamp. What's up with that?

[slider_keeper]

I don't recommend running the Reptisun compact bulb, I would run the flourescent tube. The compct bulb doesn't not provide adequate UVB thru the whole basking zone.

[Leonardo]

But ill I have are regular Sunpaq brand 65W 10,000k Daylight bulbs. I don't think they have uvb, I can't find any info on them. I don't feel like making an account, and I have realized they are just regular square pin based.

[steve]

You should be able to get a free replacement on a blown UVB bulb.

[Kansasslider]

I don't recommend running the Reptisun compact bulb, I would run the flourescent tube. The compct bulb doesn't not provide adequate UVB thru the whole basking zone.

I have to respectfully disagree. I use compacts and my turtles couldn't be healthier.