Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I know that everyone on this forum typically recommends the Reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb from zoo med.

Is there a difference between the 5.0 and the 2.0?

What if I were to use TWO of the 2.0 bulbs? I can't seem to get the 5.0 bulb to fit my light fixture...

They produce different amounts of UV. The 2.0 producing less than the 5.0. Typically for desert dwelling animals the 5.0 is required to process sufficient amounts of D3. Even better would be a mercury vapor bulb but they are even more expensive and don't always last that long. I have never used the 2.0 but would think if it fits the fixture the 5.0 would fit as well? Must be smaller around huh? Fixtures are fairly inexpensive at home depot or another home improvement store. I think I pay about $10-$15 dollars for a 4' fixture at home depot. Buying from a pet store just increases the cost about 100X I may be wrong as far as Collareds go, I am fairly new to them. However in my years with other desert dwellers the 5.0 was a requirement and the 2.0 would not be enough.
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Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........

Well, first I tried a fixture from Home Depot... but how can I describe this... it does not have a "canopy". It is just a box with two prongs, and the flourescent tube plugs into the prongs... so it lays on the tank and the light shines in all directions, and it is not stable - it can tip.

Then I ordered an aquarium flourescent fixture from LLL Reptile. It looks nice, has a "canopy", and sits securely on top of the screen top... but when I put the bulb in, it is uncommonly tight, as if the fixture is 1/4 inch too short for the bulb. There is absolutely no give between the bulb and the prongs of the fixture, and it is difficult to turn the bulb to seat the prongs so that the light stays on. It is constantly turning itself off, because I can't get it seated right. I had wondered whether a 2.0 would fit better, due to being slimmer... but it sounds like this is not a good idea either.

If I get a shop light, and hang it from the ceiling on chains, it is not exactly pleasing to the eye. My lizard lives in a guest bedroom, because I have cats. The guest room has a screen door on it, and that gives the lizard extra security against the cats. ;-D

So, what type of fixture from Home Depot or Lowe's, would look better than a shop light, or be more stable than the light that I have with no canopy? Any ideas?

For my Collareds I use the ones without a hood and mount them in my 55 gallon enclosure to the bottom of the screen top on chains. They need to be within 12" to be effective, closer is better. You can get a piece of sheet metal and bend it to make a shield I suppose? The rest of my herps, the larger ones, have the same type of fixtures. They are just mounted to the top of their enclosures as well. They don't make aqauariums big enough for those fat monsters. I would think anything from LLL would be suffient to mount a 5.0. You might give them a call and see what they have to say. Just tell them what you are trying to do. They know their stuff unlike most pet stores and are always helpful
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Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........