General Care Discussion :: New Type UVB Bulb!

[Cramer]

Hey, I just got back from Petsmart and was delighted to see that they finally have a new type of UVB source. Instead of a 25$ flourescent tube, it's a 9$ fluorescant bulb!
I'm not sure if it's rated the same as a larger tube, but it seem to say so..
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/co ... _bulbs.php

I picked up one anyway (the highest rated, 10.0. If I'm going to use extra ambient lighting (which I do) it might as well be UVB, right?
Does anyone already use these?

[emma]

I use these! They seem to work pretty well. I have seen them since I first went to the petstore about 6 months ago for my turtles. I have a 5.0 26 watts. Be careful with the 10.0 one.

[Vtolds]

I have the same one after being recommended it on here and it seems to work perfect. I also have 5.0 if you are wondering. the 10.0 seems to give a lot of turtles problems.

[Cramer]

Really? I'm more educated in filter and water jargon than lighting. So, 5.0 sounded too small. What kind of problems?

[Vtolds]

Eye Swelling is a big one.

[Cramer]

eeep. That doesn't sound pleasant. Should I move it over the water portion, further from the basking area for the 'burn-in?' Otherwise it would be 3" from them.

[BullDog]

That's the one I use as well I also use the 5.0. 3" sounds pretty close for a 10.0. If you can, put it 10" or more away from their basking area.

[steve]

Eye problems are usually associated with the compact Reptisun 10.0 bulbs (and a few 5.0s). Exo-Terra bulbs are generally considered weaker than an equivalent Reptisun.

[FLhaven4strays]

I use the 26w 5.0 & turt seems to enjoy it.

[SpotsMama]

Steve is right - the problems reported have been with the Reptisun rather than the Repti glo (exo terra bulb).

If you use a 5.0 exo terra bulb then 26 watts is the best choice. The 13 watt 5.0 exo terra is just too weak.

Cramer, if you try the 10.0 exo terra, watch your turtle very closely for signs of eye irritation or reluctance to bask. It would be helpful if you would let us know how it goes. I'm not aware of any of the other people using an exo terra 10.0 bulb so we don't know how well they work.

Alternatively, you could ask the pet store to exchange your 10.0 for a 5.0 26 watt exo terra compact fluorescent.

[Cramer]

Well, I might just exchange it. For now though, I have it in the left most, black cone lamp over the water, as seen in this picture which has a regular flourescent house bulb, but tilted more toward the platform.


Now, from what I've read about it being "high output", I'm wondering if it'll give enough UVB to penetrate the water, but too much for their eyes when they surface. So, for peace of mind I'll exchange it.
Ideally I want that same lamp to sit right over the basking area, like the heat lamp pictured. So, I might get the smallest, 2.0, to be safe but adequate.

[FLhaven4strays]

So, I might get the smallest, 2.0, to be safe but adequate.

Stick w/ the 5.0 26w. 2.0 just doesn't give off enough UVB for a turtle from what I understand.
The 5.0 26w I have is directly over the basking area - anywhere from 4-12" from the turtle, depending on where he is on the platform - and I've seen NO problems.

[Bumby's Mom]

Just get the 5.0. I have mine 4-6 (at the most) inches from the dock and my adult and babies are both fine. The babies I think is a tad further away but not more than 6 inches.

[Cramer]

Hey, thanks for the advice guys and gals! I appreciate it.

[SpotsMama]

Just be sure both your bulbs - the UVB bulb and the heat bulb - hang directly over the basking area. UVB won't penetrate water enough to do any good so your turtle needs to get it when he/she is basking.