Habitat - Indoor :: When to replace my UVB bulb?

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I was wondering when should I replace my UVB? I have his lights on from 7:30 AM (sunrise) to 8:00 (sunset) Is that too long? I bought his bulb around August last year which we aren't too far from now. I noticed the white part where you screw it into is starting to turn yellow/brownish I guessing thats from the heat but is that a sign of it being in need of a replacement?

[VeipaCray]

Without a UVB meter, there's probably no way to tell with any certainty. You might check the manufacturer specs of the bulb or on the net and see if anywhere is published the useful lifespan of the bulb. Yellowish/brownish around the base is probably heat discoloration.

[Miss Tee]

I thought I read that the UVB rays only lasted for 6 months---even though the thing still gives out light.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

6 months? Dang I really need a new bulb. I have a Exo Tera 5.0 bulb.

[steve]

@Miss Tee - Yes, you are correct.

@Ranger - I would probably replace an ExoTerra bulb slightly more frequently than 6 months. They are just not very strong bulbs.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

What other bulbs can I buy?

[steve]

You can use the Exo Terra, but you'll probably have to replace it 2-3 times a year.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Yeah the bulbs are 20 bucks each 40-60 dollars a year is a lot when I can spend something a little less or the same for just one bulb? How much do those MVB bulbs cost? And what are some other good UVB bulbs I can use, not strips. Also I read the box and it says replace it yearly?

[steve]

I think those Exo Terra CFLs are the cheapest ones out there, around $12-15. Reptisun CFLs cost around $20. A MVB starts around $40.

To be certain, you need a meter to see how much UVB output there is, and those cost around $200. When they say replace yearly, it depends on how long you have it on (total hours).

[VeipaCray]

Steve, how often do you change your MVB? I don't have a meter yet to measure it's output.

[Justin3344]

I think you can build a cheap uv meter to check and estimate your uv output of the lamp. Don't know does it work but it does tell you does your bulb still emitting UVB or not.

1.Buy a uv bead from eBay for like a dollar or less.
2.Get and timer or stop watch.
3 Get a new UVB bulb.

First check it with the new bulb and see how fast the UVB bead change color, and how colorful does it get.
Second check it with the old bulb at the same distance. And check the time again.

If the bead change color that mean it still emitting UVB.
I think you can guess how strong is the UVB emitting from the bulb.

[VeipaCray]

Not an exact science, but for a dollar that's brilliant. Is it UVB they react to or all of the UV spectrum?


EDIT> I just found a few posts on the net. The beads will change color with both UVA and UVB.

[Justin3344]

Well I try it with regular house bulb and it didn't change color, so I guess it only for uv bulb. I can try it again when I get home.

[VeipaCray]

Your regular house bulb - incandescent should be putting out UVA... hrmmm.

[steve]

@VeipaCray - I'd say a MVB is good for 9-12 months. I'm not using one religiously, I take my RES out often during the warmer weather. uvguide.co.uk website would have a breakdown of more popular brands' decay rates, but that section appears to be closed. Maybe it can be found on the Wayback Machine.

@Justin3344 - someone previously thought about using those sunscreen UV meters, but I think they focus on different wavelengths. That might also be the case with the bead. I like the thinking though!