Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What type of bulb should my friend get. They make a full spectrum
heating bulb, don't they?
I ain't searching because I am on an IPhone.

It depends on his setup. The only incandescent that provides UVB is a mercury vapor bulb. Mounting them too close can cause damage to the animal. Compact fluorescents have been shown to cause eye damage. The safest choice is a straight fluorescent tube running the length of the enclosure. A Zoo Med 10.0 give UVB to 20" assuming no obstruction from glass, plastic, screen, etc.

As BDlvr said it really depends on the set up.

Mercury Vapor Bulbs can be awesome, as long as you hasve the ability to mount them far enough away from the animal. There are a variety of MVB out there. Mega-rays and T-rex bulbs are the best on the market currently. Avoid the Powersuns as they have recently made some changes to the bulb which has it producing extremely high levels of UVB which has been causing health issues.

If its going to be difficult to mount the bulb at a further distance then definately go with the Repti-sun 10.0 (straight fluorescent tube NOT coil!), ideally mount it with no screen between the bulb and the beardie. Definately no plastic or glass.

Avoid any ESU bulb, and all of the compact fluorescent bulbs.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

If I have a repti-sun 10.0 within 8-10 inches from the animals am I giving too much uv? I know thet are rated for up to 20 inches away but regarding those bulbs is there such a thing as too close?

Sorry if im jumping in on the message but I had a lighting quesiton too so i figured maybe this would be a great place. I use a repti glo 10.0 UVB light. Is this the proper bulb to be using with my beardie. Sorry for jumping in just figured whoever is going to answer the question from before would answer this one too. Thanks again

The problem with the other UVB bulbs mentioned is not technically too much UVB...its the UV Index it gives off. I am sure most if not all of you have heard on the radio about not being outside unprotected when the UV index is high...this same high UV index causes problems in reptiles.

www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

this site explains more about UVB and the problems with some bulbs, especially the compact florescent UVB bulbs.

For the straight UVB florescent tubes, the distance you have it is fine. 20" is more the maximum distance it can put out UVB, after that distance the among of UVB is small, its not much if any benefit.
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PHLdyPayne