General Care Discussion :: UVB Lighting

[d0eb0y]

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

[turtledudee]

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

[Kallistos]

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.

[sonyj]

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.

[d0eb0y]

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!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

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!

[d0eb0y]

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?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

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.

[da sAUCE!]

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

[d0eb0y]

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.

[Starchick]

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.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

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

[Kallistos]

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.

[da sAUCE!]

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.

[marisa]

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).