Equipment Review and Discussion :: Old UVB bulbs.

[BullDog]

I'm curious, what do you guys do with your uvb bulbs when they get old? (after 6 months or so) It seems such a waste to throw out bulb that lights perfectly well

[Jessica313]

i agree.. thats a good question. im interested to see the responses.

[missibsu]

I have a hood that uses two bulbs, one for each end. I have been keeping mine to use on the other end. However, these bulbs seem to last forever and I have 3 times as many UVB bulbs than aquarium bulbs. Should be set for life though. I'll probably throw them away eventually.

[marisa]

I use them as regular lightbulbs over the tanks for general lighting. They may not be giving off UVB rays anymore, but they still give off light.

[BullDog]

Hmmm... That's a good idea... I kind of like just having light on one side of the tank though, because it tends to light the other half pretty well, and I figured he might like to go somewhere where it's not so bright
I've got the compact bulbs that fit in a regular socket... Do you think it'd be ok to use them in regular lamps?

[marisa]

I have read that people do do this. I don't know if I'd use them in a reading lamp that I was inches away from, but for general lighting, I think they'd be fine. (No dimmers, though.)

[N4784N R4613]

You should make a tanning bed. LOL!!!

[Kallistos]

More like a one month guarenteed skin cancer bed! I wouldn't use the old ones around the house, they use a a lot more electricity compared to incadescent blubs, especially MVB's.

[marisa]

I was pretty much referring to the compact flourescent UVB bulbs. They are energy efficient and I think use less energy than regular incandescent bulbs.

[BullDog]

That's sort of what I was thinking Marisa... Maybe I'll use them in some way such that you're not looking at them directly
Thanks for everyones input

[marisa]

Use lampshades.