Habitat - Indoor :: cheap UVB?

[kmichael55]

I recently found out (from this site) that the full spectrum bulbs i purchased do not (as the pet store guys promised) have UVB light... i'm so angry, i knew i needed both and asked a couple different people in the store at petsmart if full spectrum really meant UVA/UVB.... anyways I'm running out today to get them a UVB bulb I feel horrible I've had them this long (3 months) without it. Any insight into which pet stores have cheap UVB bulbs? I would do an online store but my neighbor got busted for having her Chinchilla and was kicked out of the dorm because she bought supplies online and they could tell from the box it was for an animal, and also i want it quickly i feel bad for depriving them.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

You know..I was just looking at this http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.ph ... ts_id=1818 I might actually buy it too..

[SpotsMama]

I don't know about "cheap" UVB bulbs. That's sort of an oxymoron. Around here the only store I know that sells them OTC is Petco, but cheap they ain't. Maybe you could mail order and have the bulb delivered somewhere else, like your home.

[kmichael55]

ha this is my home, my hubby and i moved here after a couple of apartments since I'm in school it's cheaper and there are no utilities to pay... i could have it sent to my sister's but then she'd have to mail it here and my poor turtles would be without light for probably another 2 weeks or so... i think i'll just suck it up and buy one at the petstore

[DavidY]

The light bulb that X mentioned looks really good and probably wouldn't cost more than $20 at a petstore. That brand is usually carried by Petco or Petsmart too.

[kmichael55]

k thanks

[adam85491]

You know..I was just looking at this http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.ph ... ts_id=1818 I might actually buy it too..

I have it-it works great and is very cheap. I paid $12.49 at Petsmart for it.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Realy? Yeah, i was looking at it earlier and i was like wow, what a deal, 10$ for a UVB bulb, and one that produces 5% UVB..I'm thinking of replacing my ESU coil for that one. What do you think adam?

[DavidY]

Remember that when it says 5% UVB, that means that 5% of the output generated by the bulb is UVB. The rest is UVA and visible light. So if you measured a Hagen Reptiglo 5% against a Zoo Med Reptisun 5%, you may not get the same results. But I would think the Hagen Reptiglo will outperform the ESU bulb seeing as the ESU brand is not very reliable in my experience.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Alright, thanks for the advice david

[marisa]

I've never used that bulb, but of the three, the Reptiglo is considered to be better than the ESU. The Reptisuns, however, are reputed to be better than the Reptiglo's, at least for the flourescent tubes. You don't want price to be the only consideration when it comes to UVB lighting.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Hm, honestly im just afraid of reptisuns.. I'm just trying to find a good UVB bulb thats going to be adequate for my two growing turtles.

[adam85491]

I have no complaints with the reptiglo 5.0. It is about one foot away and is not producing any heat which is good and has not caused any swollen eyes. I know you shouldn't let price be the only factor, but Exo Terra is one of the best brands in my opinion and I have nothing negative to say about any of their products. I was going to get an ESU coil but they only had the 3% in store at Petco for $22. In my opinion, repti glo 5.0 compact is the way to go both for the price and the quality.