Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In response to the question of which bulbs are the safest and most effective, here is what I have read:

These are the only bulbs that I know of with a high enough rating for desert and semi desert species that can be trusted:

Florescents -- should be replaced every 6-8 months, as they cannot be trusted to produce adequate levels of UVB after that
ReptiSUN 10 tube
ReptiGLO 8 tube

Avoid UVB coils and compacts, as they are hurting reptiles and birds. There are other brands, but so far, these two are the only ones testing well.

Mercury Vapor -- These are unarguably the best UVB that you can provide for your pets, second only to the sun. They can be trusted to produce good levels of UVB for up to 18 months.
Megaray
T Rex Active UV
Solar Glo (NOT Sun glo)
The power sun has a high failure rate and does not produce adequate levels of UVB for very long. Any other brand is risky until tested.

I am grading papers at the moment, but if anyone would like more info on the studies, I will post links when I get a chance.

my bulb is at about the 6 month mark, maybe less. Are you saying these bulbs are bad for the reptiles in general, or just when they reach that 6-8 month period? im probably going to buy a mvb because my mom has been complaining about the electric bill being so high and she blames it on the reptiles? IDK if its or isnt, but im sure its contributing so if i can condense all this lighting into one bulb then yeah i will go for it.

I'll get the study for you, but basically, these bulbs are not testing well, even new. If you don't believe the studies, get a UVB meter and test for yourself. Both Deer Fern Farms and Reptileuv.com list the amount of UVB that high UVB dependant reptiles need, so you can see for yourself. And I will find the studies.

As a rehabber, I have had animals come in with MBD that were kept under Repglo 10s, and I have seen severe conjuntivitis from exposure to the compacts and coils. I will not use anything but a MVB, and don't recommend anything else for a rehab animal, but do think that the Reptisun 10s are okay for a healthy animal.

Yes, it is much more natural for the light and the UVB to all bein one place, and much more economical, in addition to the fact that the MVBs are the closest that you can get to natural sunlight. In winter, I do have to add household bulbs to accomodate the drop in temps, but in spring, summer and fall (I'm in SE Texas) I use only the Megarays and use energy saver bulbs for extra light (the regular coil bulbs are okay, BTW. The ones that are not are the UVB coils).

If you do go for the MVB, please let us know. I want to hear what you think and how your lizards respond to the change.

Thanks for starting a new thread I would also like a copy of the studies. I am in SE Michigan, so good light is a problem most of the year. This is going to be the first summer that I will have lizards, I have read many different ideas on how much light my lizards should have. I currently have my beardie on a 13hr cycle, I set Smeagol (collared) to the same cycle. Is this enough? I will see if the local pet stores carry MVB bulbs, is there anyone particular that I should look for? I am doing everything that I can at the moment to keep Smeagol alive.

Well, because he is the "father" of MVBs and the nicest and most knowledgeable guy on the planet when it comes to UVB and rehab, I buy from Bob Mac at www.reptileuv.com. If you are confused or have lighting questions, you can just call him and he will give you great advice. Thes are the bulbs that Doug Dix sells on his Deer Fern Farms website, BTW.

I am grading frantically at the moment , but I will hunt down those studies next week.

I keep collerds under a plain 75 watt bulb. they are doing great...because a range of temps are provided they need no UVB,UV this or that...all a waste. Provide the right temp and no worries with all this bone problems,vitamen d,ect...Look on the "monitor" forum here. You will read with keepers who have there ducks in a row do not use those expensive and wasteful bulds. Better to spend the money on things wgich actually benefit the animal.

You know what they say about opinions.

I haven't rehabbed a collared with MBD, but I have rehabbed several beardies with it, all because they were not given adequate UVB. I have also rehabbed beardies that were kept under bad UVB bulbs. I have also counseled people on other forums whose reptiles developed MBD in spite of excellent husbandry, minus adequate UVB. I have seen the dramatic difference in color and behavior in animals that were put under a good UVB source afert having not been under one previously.

You are entitled to keep your animals as you wish and speak your own opinions, but the best care advice out there stresses the need for UVB in captive desert and semi desert reptiles, and some others.

it may help aid a due to not adequate husbendry ie proper temp range. but if all is well they are not needed. you have bad information. i used to think the same then got truely educated on the subject and felt foolish.

If you have documentation to support what you are saying, by all means, produce it, and I will consider the matter from there. All of my experience and the reading that I have done contradict you, so I for one will not respond again to this thread unless there is something more compelling than your opinion to respond to.

Sorry Hughes I am going with the majority based on personal experience and industry knowledge. As I have seen the effects of improper lighting on lizards both kept by friends and at some of the larger pet store chains. Plus our lizard friends in the wild have the benefit of the best heat, light, and uv source which is the sun.

So please don't belittle those that use uv sources and neither prop yourself up into a position of expertise.

Keep in mind also that diet is a major factor. Monitors eat mammals and get D3 directly from their prey. What might be true for them might not be true for other species. Green iguanas (herbivores), for example, do NOT get D3 from anything they eat and MUST have another source to grow properly. In addition, some studies indicate they cannot even process oral D3 and must be provided with UVB - either natural from the sun or artificial from lamps.

As far as insectivores go, I prefer to play it safe and provide good UVB for all of my bug eaters.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

usefulness. I have been diligent in my investigation into this and for many years preached it...now I know I was wrong. I will drop the issue and let the future dictate final thoughts.

monitors are much different than insectivorous desert lizards especially in diet. Besides the price of a bulb that could benefit them long term is more than worth the money. i'll put my money on my uvb lovn collard in a race against yours anyday.