Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know which is the better choice of UVA/UVB lights? I need to get a bunch. Are chucks better off with Reptisun 5.0 or ReptiGlo 8.0? There's also Hagen 8.0 (or some word that starts with an H ... not sure it's really Hagen) and they're pretty cheap. Has anyone used them to know if they're as good as the main brands or if they're deficient in some way? Are black lights truly OK to use? Are all black lights the same? How far away from the lizards do black lights have to be positioned? I had a blacklight bulb once, in the fixture it came with. The fixture melted! Is this a common occurrence?

I use Mercury Vapor bulbs not flouirescents (Active Uvheat) which are similar to Power suns for my Desert Igs, Collared Lizards and Spiny-tailed Iguana...
I use them without giving them any access to direct sunlight. and have been for years.

The merc vapors are effectve several FEET away depending on the wattage or flood or spot

I have noticed that it seems that desert insectivours need it more than desert herbivours. I got twitching from my collared while useing the zoomed 5.0 at 6"away with d3 supplimentation. Then I swiched to merc vapor and never had it reoccur

People disagree and some feel that D3 suplimentatio n is enough and you don't need any bulb.

IMHO for desert herbivours you may get away with using uvb flourescents if the lizard is within 8-12 inches of the bulb.
but the bulbs loose uvb quickly and in a few months are very weak and should be changed after 6-9 months. So I figure in the long run the merc vapor are cheaper since they retain power longer. I change my merc vapor every 12- 18 months depending on the total hours used.

The studies that I have seen show that the zoomed 5.0 or the zoomed igauna light (they are the same exact bulb) put out the most uvb compared to the other flour. on the market.

AS for Blacklights I use a flourescent BL bulb not the BLB bulb (purple one in Home depot) I only use the BL for my DIs and for 2 hours a day only.

I read that it stimulate breeding in DIs..

I hope I

(get ready)

"shed some light" on the subject.

John Styner

ENLIGHTNING !!!! LMAO Eve

Thanks John, for "shedding some light!" That was VERY clever! Where do you get mercury vapor lights and fixtures? As far as using supplements only and no special lights, FORGET IT!! I've gotten in trouble SO many times just because my lights were getting OLD. Shortly after the lights are replaced, the lizards' tremors fade away. Lights of SOME kind are absolutely essential, as far as I've seen. Thanks again.

bulbs are the Power suns, active UVheat and others . they are a self-ballasted bulb that screws into a regular socket. I have found that they tend to stop working if they are exposed to shock, like opening and closing lids.(my observation, I could be wrong) Although the manufacturer replaces it if you send it back, it is a pain in the buttoonski (Russian for butt).
So I make sure the fixture is cushioned . I clamp the fixture to a piece of spongy computer mousepad.

John Styner

I use the EXOTERRA ReptiGlo 8.0's and they do well for me. I use two per cage. Hagen is the parent company of EXOTERRA so those bulbs are probably the same as the ReptiGlos. If you use black lights make sure they are BL and not BLB as BLB's have been shown to affect nervous systems in reptiles. I keep my 8.0's about 10 inches away and change them every 6 months to keep the UV up.
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Thanks and Take Care,

Geoff Orr

Thanks! How do you guys all get so smart?!? The knowledge that's displayed via this forum is very impressive.

I am currently using the Capture the Sun from Big Apple. They are a bit cheaper (about $10 less) than the ActiveUV or PowerSuns. I have used both of those brands as well. Some people have found the Capture the Suns to burn out faster, but I have had no problems with them at all.

To some degree, I think I use these bulbs for my own peace of mind. I think the evidence is still not clear as to whether they have an effect on Chucks. Some people have done some work for the impact on Bearded Dragons, but most of the claims come from the manufacturers. The reptile industry is very bad (in my opinion) about making claims for products that have no rigorous scientific basis. Neodynium lights, "solar drops", calci-sand, etc. I had hoped that a magazine like Vivarium in the old days, or Reptiles would actually do a lot more consumer testing of these products, or at least sponsor some, but obviously they get most of their ad revenue from the manufacturers and are in their pockts. It always makes me laugh when they tout their "product reviews" on the cover of the magazine that are just additional glorified advertisements for these products. At least with the old Vivarium you got some interesting information on taking care of species that were new to the herp trade. Reptiles mag is basically useless. Sorry for the rant!

I think Brian J has not used UV bulbs (flourescent or Mercury Vapor), and obviously he has had great success with chucks. I'm not sure if Tom G uses them either. I think after the current set of bulbs goes, I am switching back to normal bulbs. This summer I (actually my wife!) have been much more conscientious about taking my hispidus outside. They seem to be able to handle the humidity here in Missouri better than obsesus.

Bart

Thanks Bart! I live in WV, where the humidity about matches yours. I put my obsesus outside on sunny weekend days ... how would I know if it was adversely affecting my chucks? Are obsesus now called ater? I read that somewhere. Who are Brian J. and Tom G., what success have they had, and do they keep their chucks outdoors all the time? When you switch back to regular bulbs, which ones will you choose?