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Hi fellow turtlephiles,

I think I want to switch over from the compact fluorescent to the regular long tube fl. bulbs for UVB for the kids, and I'm wondering if I can just use a cool old desk lamp with a 5% uvb bulb in it, or does it have to be a fixture made for those?

The old desk lamp would be good because it has a boom arm that would make positioning it over their basking area really easy. I was using one of those dome clip on deals, but it kinda sucks.

I don't think splashing is an issue at this point, but let me know what you guys think.

i must be confused. all the tube uvb im thinking of wouldnt fit in a desk lamp

Maybe I didn't describe it very well. The lamp in question can hold an 18" or 20" (Can't remember exact measurements) fluorescent tube. Actually, it can hold 2 of them. It has a housing for the bulbs that is connected by a boom type arm that connects to the base, which is weighted to keep it stable.

Unless I'm mistaken, there aren't any differences in form factor between a regular fluorescent bulb like you'd see in any office building and a UVB bulb for reptiles. The difference is in the output, right?

So again, will the UVB bulbs fit in standard fluorescent fixtures, or do they require specially designed fixtures?

edit:

Looks almost exactly like this one:

http://www.smithdrafting.com/ar4324.jpg

i wouldnt think there would be a problem with it

As long as it fits and you can secure it, there shouldn't be a problem.

Would there be a wattage issue?

Usually light fixtures are labeled somewhere as to what wattage they can take. Look it over carefully and see if you can find it. If not, judge by what wattage of bulb was in there before - you know it's safe.

Looks fine to me. I have my compact UVB in a regular desk lamp and haven't had any problems.