General Care Discussion :: Lamping

[joker]

Hey guys

I received finally received my uv bulb but i just need to get an appropriate lamp. Although in the mean time i realized i had a suitable enough lamp at home...i think. It's just a desk lamp similar to the image in the link provided, and i took off the glass uv filter it had covering the bulb...i hope that makes sense.

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/ima ... p-blue.jpg

My question is will this be safe? I mean the turt needs UV rays so removing the filter should be perfect for her?

Thanks!

[megcornell]

Aren't those meant for halogen bulbs?
I don't know that the fixtures are compatible. What does the max wattage say and what's the wattage of your UVB bulb?

[grey goose]

I've been using halogen lamps for years, keep in mind that they put out a LOT more heat than incandescent bulbs. Set it up so the basking area is about 90F. Also make sure that it is positioned so as not to tip over.
That should take care of your UVA (heat). You still need a UVB light.

[SpotsMama]

Joker, my understanding of your question is that you have on the one hand a UVB bulb, and on the other hand you have a lamp like the one in the link, and you want to know if you can use your UVB bulb in that particular lamp?

Check the wattage of the UVB bulb and the maximum safe wattage for the lamp. If the lamp can handle the wattage of the UVB bulb then it should be safe to use it as you suggest.

I'm curious - what is the wattage of your UVB bulb? What's the brand and the percentage of UVB that it puts out?

I'm also curious to know what you are using for heat?

[joker]

Excuse my post, must have been a little confusing.

I currently have a UVB reptiglo 5.0 26w bulb which i have not yet fitted to a lamp.

But in the mean time i am using a halogen lamp from which i removed the uv filter. I've noticed this lamp gives off a lot of heat and wanted to make sure it was safe, until i purchase a lamp for the repti glo.

Hope that clears things up.

Thanks to all.

[SpotsMama]

I really don't know anything about halogen lamps except that they are powerful.

Someone else on here may know about these lamps and respond with useful information, but if I had to decide based on what I know (and don't know) about the lamps right now, I wouldn't use it. I've seen too many examples of turtles (and other reptiles) that have been harmed by powerful bulbs that were emitting the wrong type of radiation. Some UV (UVC) actually kills cells and is so strong it is used to sterilize things. It also is a carcinogen. Even in the UVB range, too much radiation can be poisoning.

Without knowing what type and quantity of UV your lamp's UV filter was screening, I'd avoid taking the risk that it's a harmful type or intensity.

[mikee]

Turtles need uva and uvb rays and heat for basking. Thats it for lamping and basking heat. You can, in most cases, find the information on the packaging.

[marisa]

I've been using regular halogen bulbs (GE's) for a heat source and haven't had any problems. The 50-watt works fine in a desk lamp.

[SpotsMama]

So the bottom line is that a halogen bulb with the UV filter removed should be a safe source for heat but it doesn't provide the UVB that a turtle needs?

I'm curious about the UV filter. I hadn't heard of one before. I wonder why the lamp has a UV filter? Is that typical?

[marisa]

joker, is the halogen light you use the kind that gives off that greenish glow? If so, I know nothing about them other than I don't like that shade of light they give off. The halogens I use provide a very natural light (plus heat), perhaps they're not a "true" halogen (but that's what they're labeled on the box).