Habitat - Indoor :: Quick question about lighting

[Shorty's mom]

I was just wondering if I used one of the tube type bulbs, like say the Life- glo here http://tinyurl.com/gtnth or a Coralife, would they put off enough heat for Shorty's basking area? I have used a Zoomed 50w or regular 60w bulb before. Anyone have some opinions for me?

[Pugness]

if you get the tube type bulb that has the UVB output your safe. THey run a pretty penny tho however you will still need a basking bulb because these flourescent lights dont put out much heat.

[missibsu]

Like it was mentioned...you will still need a heat light. There are some bulbs that provide both UVB and UVA, but they are made for set ups greater than 75 gallons. Also, keep in mind the hourly usage. Don't forget to replace the bulb, because it will lose the UVB.

[rtswim400@yahoo.com]

how long does the UVB last? And how can you tell when it needs to be replaced?

[sonyj]

It should be replaced depending on the % between 6 months to 1 year (a lower percentage being replaced sooner than a higher). There is no way of telling that I know of. It will continue to burn without giving off the needed UVB rays after this amount of time.

[zuse]

Is there way to detect if UVB is still being ouput (tries to recall differences using spectrophotometers and things in lab...) Oh well. I was just curious.

[sonyj]

There was a previous post about this, and it included some kind of equipment that could read if UVB was still being emitted. I don't remember what the instrument was called though.

[missibsu]

Sonja...when you say lower percentage more ofter...what qualifies as lower, and what is higher. If the typical range is for someone to have between 5 and 10 %, then are both of those considered low, or the five low and the 10 high? Sorry that I am getting technical, I was just curious, lol.

I replace mine every 6 months, just to be on the safe side.

[sonyj]

I know that some UVB are 3% so I'd think between the 3-5% range as lower with the 7-10% being higher. But that's just my thoughts on it.

[missibsu]

Makes sense...I just didn't know how high those percentages went. Thanks!

[marisa]

You can only tell if a UVB light is emitting UVB rays is with a UVB meter (which isn't exactly cheap). As was said the lower the % of UVB the bulb emits, the more frequently it needs to be replaced. I've extended the use of the lower UVB bulbs (like the 3% ones) in the past by supplementing with unfiltered sunlight during the summer months and buying bulbs (that emit more of the UVB rays) in the fall, so they'd emmiting more of the rays in the cooler/winter months.

[fishandcandy]

There are some bulbs that provide both UVB and UVA, but they are made for set ups greater than 75 gallons.

UVB and heat. UVB lights do produce UVA.

[Shorty's mom]

There are some bulbs that provide both UVB and UVA, but they are made for set ups greater than 75 gallons.

UVB and heat. UVB lights do produce UVA.

Could you tell me what the names of these bulbs would be? I have a 125gal now so I should be ok. Thanks!

I already have my UVB bulb but it is due to be replaced soon. That's why I was checking to see if I could find a UVB\heat combo (hopefully in the tube style). I also found this one http://tinyurl.com/obgkb that says it puts out UVB\UVA plus it has a reflector included for higher intensity 180 degree output. So does this mean it emits heat? Is that what they mean by the 180 degree output or does that have to do the the UV?

Sorry if I sound stupid but right now I just can't wrap my brain around what all these lights are saying! I think my brain is going into shut-down mode!

[sonyj]

The mercury vapor lights produce both UVB and heat. I can only think of the T-rex brand name at the moment but there's other brands as well. They have to be hung in a special lighting fixture because of the amount of heat they produce. It's what the manufacturer suggest (ceramic I think).

[marisa]

Mercury vapor lights produce UVB, UVA and heat. Conventional UVB lights produce UVB, UVA, but an insignificant amount of heat (therefore an addtional heat source is necessary).

Probably the two most popular/well known mercury vapor lights are T-Rex's Active UVB Heat light and Zoo-Med's Powersun (but there are other brands as well). I've used and like the Active UVB Heat bulb, but have never tried the Powersun. I've read too many negative things about it, aminly with respect to it's longevity.

MVBs do not come in a tube style that I'm aware of. They can be either self-ballasted like the two mentioned or externally ballasted. Self-ballasted bulbs can be screwed into a regulalr socket, but because of the heat they generate, a fixture with a ceramic/porcelene socket is recommended. They should be hung vertically.

A MVB bulb would work well in a 124-gallon enclosure. If you get an Active UVB heat bulb, make sure it has a "milky" look to the bulb (i.e., not clear looking). The milky-looking ones are made with a newer technology that's better. Perhaps the older ones aren't being sold anymore, but it never hurts to check to make sure.