Reptile & Amphibian Forums

People in several forums suggest zoo med's fluorecent tubes as the best of the market,do they provide a more balanced spectrum than the rest?I cannot obtain these so I'm going with sera's repti UV,that should do the job,right?

It is really your choice, but Zoo Med Repti-Sun work the best for there price...Why can't you get a hold of any? Are you Canadian, because even they can get a hold of 'em. Even if they must be shipped, it is worth the extra cost..
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Eric

I'm only happy when I've ruined everything I see.
Believe everything you've ever heard about me- suck it up.
If you see me coming don't stop, just turn & walk the other way.
I will not lie about what I have done, I will not lie about what I will do to you, the sweat of.....
(Lamb of God: A Warning)

All of the recent tests I can recall show the zoomed reptisun bulbs to not only be the most effective, but the ONLY effective bulbs. I cannot remember any other bulbs that were even worth getting. Unless there are some new bulbs out there - either get zoomed bulbs, or just stick to repcal & minerall until you can get them.

So Eric, you are all for the Murcury Vapor UV bulbs?
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CANADIAN CHAMELEONS

I used to be, but some studies showed them to have bad effects on
some chameleons. It messed up their behavior, and contributed to
some eye problems. It seems they put out UVB not only in th euseful
range, but also in th eharmful range. I woudl still use them, but only on
large cages, where the chameleon would easily be able to move away.

I wouldn't consider them on any cage less than 5 feet tall, and teven
then, that's on th esmall size - they put out a lot of UVB, and when a
chameleon's forced to stay in a certain area, they can't escape it.

Ok,I have made a few phonecalls and found zoo med's reptisun 2.0,they will order for me the 5.0 in a couple of months.Until then I'll use a couple of 2.0,should I be ok temporarily?
I would be glad if our friend Eric gave us some clues on why the rest of the brands fail to provide those proper uv.
Thanks

http://russiantortoise.org/uvb.htm

quick google search shows one example. In all the tests I have seen, at "useful" distances (6"-12" ), the only bulbs to output ANY significant UVB radiation were zoomed. Really, it's just not worth buying a bulb that does not produce UVB in significant amounts. And when the trivial amount is only at 1-4" from the bulb - it's even less effective.

You're better off saving your money and ordering a 5.0 or 10.0.

I don't have any numbers showing the effectiveness of the newer exoterra bulbs, but I believe they were less effective than the zoomed 5.0 bulbs.

Ok, I looked on another site. The newest exoterra bulbs are better than the old ones. the older bulbs I'd seen tested were worthless after just a few inches...
Stll, I'd get a zoomed 10.0 bulb, especially if you're using it through a screen top or in a tall cage.

Eric, any articles about the harm that MV bulbs can have on Chameleons in smaller cages? I was under the impression that the intensity of them was still less than what they would receive in Madagascar during the day. Thanks.

I have had great success with Bearded Dragons. One female going from black and grey, very ugly, to a cream with orange highlights. I was hoping to parrallel this with my chameleons and a new cage design. Also, the little extra heat, (100watts) would bennefit me since I am in canada and the winterchill keeps the rooms at a lower temperature than it should be.
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CANADIAN CHAMELEONS

I am using mega-ray MV bulbs on my Chinese Water Dragons and have been very satisfied. Jukka Lundgren did some European studies and his paper was pretty complicated, but from what I interpretted he actually appeared to advocate a combination of MV and fluorescent to get the coverage of the required UVB range. I have a 160 watt self-ballasted MV bulb installed with a basking branch 18 inches from it (top mounted in a 5' enclosure) and a 36" Reptisun 5.0 mounted vertically down the other side of the enclosure. My 27" female prefers to bask within 3"-6" of the Reptisun and the male (30" basks closer to the MV. I use an externally ballasted 60 watt (no heat output) with my other female and she spends a good deal of her time within 12" of it, even though she has 2 other shelves to choose from over 24" in width. I bought a 2nd externally ballasted set-up to use with my Panther when he goes into his adult stage cage. Don't you think that how heavily planted your cage is would have an impact on the amount of UVB your cham actually gets and that a heavily planted cage would give them enough retreat area? I also believe (just from reading and very limited personal observation) that herps tend to self regulate their UVB exposure at least somewhat. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon

I just found a useful website, about all UV. I'm REALLY interested in MV, and so I'll have to check out these different brands.

Come complete with charts, graphs and photos.
UV Guide

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CANADIAN CHAMELEONS

Can't find the info on the MVB problems. It was concerning panther chameleons. They had reproductive problems, and some eye problems, with over-exposure to UVB. MVB bulbs put out a lot of UVB. They can't escape it. In the wild, they can escape the sun,despite it's powerful rays. When you confine an animal to a small space, you remove its ability to regulate.

Only in a large cage can you be confident that they'll regulate their exposure to UVB with a MVB bulb.

There seems to be less problems with larger, heavier baskers, like iguanas, bearded dragons, and turtles.

Furthermore, the UVB put out by these bulbs is not exactly like the UVB from the sun. UVB isn't just a wavelenght, but an area of th espectrum. The part of that spectrum of light used to metabolize D3 is in the UVB range. Some of the light put out by the MVB bulbs may be harmful, not benificial. It's artifical.

They are safe, as long as the chameleons can regulate their exposure to it. In a small cage, it's not possible.

I forget, are you in the netherland's? You could contact ZooMed directly to see if you can get them sent to you or better yet, if they have european distributors. Do you know what other herpers use over there? There are some UK cham forums that might be able to help. As already pointed out, they reall are the best for the buck. Where have you tried to get them from? A Canadian vendor may also be a possibility.

LOL!! I just went to ZooMed customer service to link for you and they ahev a European Office! Chek it out...

lele
ZooMed

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Chameleon Help & Resource Info
1.0 Nosy Be Panther Chameleon - Cyrus
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she's back!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

Thanks a lot for the effort lele but the importer for my country is a friend of mine but due to the low consumption he brings only few from zoo med's range and I thought he wasn't having any but finally he found some in his warehouse,anyway thanks a lot

Chris Anderson recommends this site. there is also a ton of info at: http//www.reptileuv.com

Diane
UV Guide

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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon