Habitat - Indoor :: UVB

[squirt!]

hey, so it's been 8 months which is well over the time period of when a uvb light stops emitting uvb rays (as i've been told). what is a reliable new UVB lamp i can get for basking and where can i get it? (any reliable sites or stores?) thanks!

[slider_keeper]

Well if you what a bulb that will provide UVB, UVA and heat go with a Mercury Vapor Bulb. They are about $50 but you only need one bulb unlike the conventional setup of a basking lamp and a UVB Flouresent bulb. The three best are the Mega-ray( can only get online), T-Rex, Powersun( last two you can find in pet stores). I use a Powersun have been getting the powersun for 4 yrs. I love it, they last about a yr. I change it out every 6-8 months to be safe. I run a 160w it fits in my 250w domp fixture, made for a basking bulb( the silver kind). Hope this help with your options. Just google the bulb to find a retailer.

[steve]

I've ordered lights from drsfostersmith.com, carolinapetsupply.com and lllreptile.com

[squirt!]

thanks to both of you! what is the longest lasting one, or do they all last about 6-8 months?

[slider_keeper]

Thats a good question! I don't have a measuring device for UVB output so I just change mine out early. I use the Powersun 100w and Zoo-Med says it will last a year but I have read else where that says it last 8 months so I just go with that. Alot of different info can be found online when you google different things. So right, some wrong. The real difference is you only use one bulb as appose to two bulbs. I usually just google to find the cheapest deal on a bulb.

[steve]

There are some output tests of various bulbs here: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

[slider_keeper]

thanks very cool and imformative site I have seen this site on google many of times but never checked it out lol, yeah I'm a nerd, I always research uv lighting for reptiles

[steve]

It's a very good site, very professional and well-regarded. If you want just casual reading of UVB, check out http://www.beardeddragon.org/

Beardies need more UVB than RES, but those keepers stay on top of UVB news like no one else.

[slider_keeper]

Ahhhh very nice thanks bro!

[squirt!]

alright i finally found the right UVB lamp, it's one of those long ones you put into a set fixture (it's about a foot wide and spans most of the tank's length)- now my question is, do i still need a separate heat lamp over the basking area? or will the UVB light cover it?

[slider_keeper]

yeah with that style light you need a heat lamb, uvb bulbs don't produce enough heat. The only heat/uvb/uva bulbs are mercury vapor bulds