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Ive had Norman now for 7 months. Ive had this light below for about 3 months now. I dont know if anyone has any knowledge of it. I know for sure that it is a UVB bulb. But there is also recommended types i have been reading about for turtles. At this point in time this light is all i can and will be able to afford so its gonna have 2 do til i can get some cash. But is it even a good enuff light? Any UVB should be better than nothing right? But when the time comes for me to get a new one, what am i looking at for UVB specs? Percentages n stuff? Any info would help.
And any info on this bulb would be great also.
Thanks in advance.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... v+coil&N=2

For a new bulb, a reptisun 5.0 or 10.0, that bulb is fine for a temporary.

That seems like an okay bulb. Make sure there's nothing restricting the light and the basking area. Meaning, mesh under 1/2" or glass. When you purchase a new bulb, in 3 months, look for the highest UVB output. The Reptisun 10.0 is the highest non-mvb that I know of. If you purchase a tank over 40 gallons you can look into the 100 watt MVB's.

That's the bulb I've used and it will work but it's not as good as getting one with a higher UVB %. I'm thinking that this particular one only has 3-5% UVB... so it should be replaced within 6 months of starting to use it. Next time look for one that lists a higher UVB % such as 7% at least.

Ok thanks for the info. And also thanks for the 1/2 inch mesh/hole suggestion. Most of the time when no one is home and i leave the lights on what i would do is use one of those screens you can use in like a window. They adjust (slide open or closed). I would lay that on the top of the tank and put the lights on top of that over his basking area. But the holes in that are tiny, just like a regular window screen. Not good im guessing, too small.

Usually i leave the top of the tank uncovered and clamp the lights and they shine on him perfectly. But like i said when no one was home i would use the screen because myself and girlfriend kinda worried the light could unclamp and fall in the tank.
Im gonna head to a hardware store tomorrow for something with bigger holes in it and make myself a better cover. Been thinking about constructing an "out of water" basking area also. Tomorrow may be a great time to start since ill be hitting up Home Depot.
Thanks again ladies n germs!

My says thankk you also!

I dont think its a good idea to put a screen mesh since that UVB bulb only gives out 3% UVB,it will filter out almost all of the UVB.I have the same UVB bulb and its ok but im looking into a reptisun 10.0 in 5 months.The new basking idea sounds great by the way!

yea im not gonna use the screen any longer. Gonna hit the hardware store tomorrow for some chicken wire or something good enuff to make a cover with. Any suggestions?

Thats what i meant though,i read that even with chicken wire UVB still gets filtered out.Chicken wire would be fine if your UVB bulb had for example 8% or 10% UVB,but for now i think you need all the UVB you need.I was looking into chicken wire too until i read that it filters out UVB and with my bulb which only gives out 3% its a bad idea.

that bulb is fine. i have used it since day one and both my turts shells are healthy and strong.

well the chicken wire i had in mind has pretty big holes. hexagon shaped ones. big enough for me to stick maybe 2-3 fingers thru the holes. and i am on overweight 30 year old...lol,,,hence d0eb0y.

Wow, I totally don't understand how a mesh covering could filter out that much uvb, guess that's why i'm not a science person. It just doesn't make sense in my mind.

starchick,i got it off of this website: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercvapourmeshtests.htm

That chicken wire should be fine. Try finding strips of wood, screws, nuts, and then secure the chicken wire to it. The little mesh takes up a lot of area, think how large and are it would take up if all of that mesh was compressed.

fine wire mesh could concievably block nearly 75% of the UV rays from a 13W flourescent bulb. Look up the science or something. wikipedia, yeah. chicken wire, beautiful idea, mate.

A regular screen for tanks blocks something like 30% of the UVB rays. Smaller holes block more, bigger holes less. Chicken wire sounds fine for letting in UVB rays, you could also use 1/2" hardware cloth.

I've used the ESU coil lamp and have never had a problem. It doesn't have the reputation that the Reptisun does though, and given the choice, I'd go with one that's considered to be more reputable (the Reptisun).