Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just found your website and must say it is a wealth of wonderful information! Thank you for putting together such a comprehensive and informative site!

I have a question about the UVB bulbs. I noticed that you prefer the T-Rex Active UV Heat and the ZooMed Powersun over the standard florescent tubes. When I look those up on LLLReptile, it says they are not intended for "small terrariums." I'm guessing a 20g-long would be considered small? In that case, I should go ahead and opt for the more standard florescent strip? If so...is a ZooMed 5.0 sufficient?

Thanks!
Judy
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1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)

Forgive me for butting in

I'm currently using a 100 watt T-Rex active heat "FLOOD" (very happy with it BTW) and I think what they're saying is the "SPOT" versions are better suited to large enclosures. The minimum recommended distance for the 100 watt "FLOOD" is ....6 inches.... so if can place the UV HEAT bulb standing vertically over the cage or on top of the metal screen and the animal is NO CLOSER THAN 6 inches then you're ok. The same 100 watt "SPOT" version has a min distance of -at least- 18 inches which is 3 times the min of the flood version. The spot bulbs concentrate heat into a smaller area. So pointing one into a large enclosure on a basking spot would be its best use.

See the difference? Even the box says the "FLOOD" versions are better suited to the average user. It's mostly a heat concern. Apparently all these bulb types put out UV rays at least 6 FEET for a longer period of time so that's not a concern and it's better for you animal. The fluorescent lights don't get anywhere close to that distance and are no good after about 6 months. These bulbs are probably good for about a year.

I know when I switched to my UV heat bulb my animals where more active and the colors where much better. I have it pointing straight down (apparently they work best in this position) at a basking area which is made of some composite faux stone material. The material is warm to the touch and that's a good thing. I still use the fluorescent fixture just because I have it and I don't want it going to waste.

Min Distances from the T-rex UV heat box:

100 watt flood...6 inches
160 watt flood...18 inches
275 watt flood...24 inches

100 watt SPOT FOCUS...18+ inches
160 watt SPOT FOCUS...36+ inches
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0.0.2 Bearded Dragons(Ziggy and Stardust)

I think the bulb manufacturing companies like T-Rex and Zoomed are just trying to protect themselves from anyone burning their beardie. I have a 100 watt Powersun (flood) over a 30 gallon tank and it's about 10 inches away from his basking spot. Just don't get the beardie too close to the bulb and you'll be fine. Of course the Reptisun 5.0's are great bulbs too. But you need to have it no more than 12 inches away - I prefer to have them around 8 inches away or so.

Good luck and I'm glad you found the website helpful.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Thanks ya'll! I guess I'm just worried about spending some serious bucks on this equipment, only to find later that there was a much better and/or cheaper way to heat and light the enclosure. I know when I was working on my snake's setup, I went through three different bulb types before finding the one that worked best. I don't want to have to do that with these much more expensive bulbs and fixtures.

Judy
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1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)