Habitat - Indoor :: how does a UVB Bulb look like?

[aquabanana]

i'm having a little trouble finding a UVB bulb. i've been to 2 different hardwares and they keep giving me a black UVB tube light.

is that it? is it really supposed to be black? (because it doesn't say in the box thats its UVB)
i want a UVB bulb, is it supposed to be black too?

i found a bulb that says UVB stop. is that different from a UVB bulb?

[Kemul]

The UVB bulbs we use is white. One of the recommended brand is Reptiglo.
I don't think you can find it in hardware store. They're sold at pet stores or reptile
stores. Or, you can order online somewhere.

[VeipaCray]

You could always purchase one online. There are basically three types and like mentioned by Kemul really only available in pet stores.

1. A fluorescent tube
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=19729

2. The compact Fluorescent (CFL) "twisty" type
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752555

3. A Mercury Vapor Bulb - MVB (These bulbs produce both heat and UVB in the same bulb)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752615

[aquabanana]

thank you

i checked both hardware stores and pet shops. unfortunately its very hard to find decent petshops here in my area. they either sell dogs hamsters or fishes. very rarely would you find ones that cater to reptiles.

was able to talk to a friend. the only way to get bulbs here is online... and they're not very cheap

so for now i guess i'll just have to bring my turtle outside for some sun until i get a bulb. i just fear he might die if i touch him too often

[aquabanana]

..would a red heat bulb or hallogen bulb be a cheap alternative for UVB?

[VeipaCray]

..would a red heat bulb or hallogen bulb be a cheap alternative for UVB?

Unfortunately no. The the red heat bulbs and halogen bulbs are meant for heat. They do not put out the appropriate light wavelengths of the UVB range needed for turtles.

A standard incandescent light bulb can serve as a cheap substitute for a heat lamp. There really is no cheap substitute for a proper UVB bulb.

If you shop around (internet) you can pick up a CFL twisty Repti Glo UVB 5.0 bulb for $12-15. They don't put out much heat so you can stuff it in pretty much any ol' lamp with the proper wattage rating.

My suggestion would be to save a few bucks on the light fixture and buy an el-cheapo clamp light from your local home improvement / hardware store and spend a couple of extra bucks on the proper UVB bulb.

[aquabanana]

thanks

thats what i'm gonna do. saving for a proper UVB bulb while i look for a cheap one online.
as for now my turtle's getting natural sunlight