Habitat - Indoor :: UVB/UBA Super UV Coil Lamp (ESU Reptile light)

[willie's mommy]

I just went and purchased new lighting last night. I wanted a combo UVA&UVB light instead of a clip light and a flourecent light. The combo light says its 20 watt but energy efficient so its really 75 watts - which is what I previously had for the UVA light only. The 75 watts prevously produced enough heat but now ...

I have had it on for a few hours this morning already and its not getting very hot at all. Its only at 79 degrees. Does anyone else use this light? Does it get hot enough or will I need to go back to 2 lights??

Thanks!

[grey goose]

That type of bulb, like all fluorescent bulbs, really doesnt put out any heat, you need a separate bulb and fixture for heat......a 60-75 watt (depending on distance), household bulb with a dome fixture should do the trick. Set it up so the basking area is about 90F.

[willie's mommy]

Thanks ... that's what I figured. 2 Clip lights it is!! Does the UVB bulb need to be in a certain type of fixture to reflect the light?

[Kallistos]

No it doesn't need to be in a special fixture. I also use that same bulb and it's not really meant to give off heat.

[grey goose]

Its been said that a reflective surface can double the output of a UVB bulb. Plus, unless I'm mistaken, that bulb only puts out 3% UVB, a bit low IMO...I'm using a Repti-sun 10.0 mounted in an old stainless hood thats highly reflective.
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 3&start=15

Probably overkill, but it supposedly will last up to a year.

[willie's mommy]

Thanks.... I will try a different store. The light I purchased was the only uvb that wasnt a tube light ... Hopefully they will take this one back.

[grey goose]

You don't have to take it back....it'll work, but after 6 months, get a 5.0 (5%) or a 10.0 (10%) compact.....i got mine here:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... uvb100lamp

[steve]

I think you wanted a bulb that produced UVA, UVB and heat. Those are MVB (mercury vapor bulbs) and expensive but last longer (at least a full year) and provide more UVB. They will require a good quality dome reflector.