Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey guys im going to get longer uvb light tommorow..and putting older one in friends viv...just wandering what your thoughts are on 8% or 5% uv output...read both sides and think maybe 8% is best for beardys..and is the interpet brand as good as exa terra as i can only get interpet at local shop..have to drive 50 miles for exa terra...thanks..oh and buying wood for new viv aswell..im allowed..yeehaa

Everyone always says that the Reptisun 5.0 is the best one for beardies. Personally, I don't know a whole lot about different types of UVB bulbs, so I take their word for it. You can get them for pretty decent prices online, you won't have to drive so far but you do have to pay for shipping.

That's great news about getting to build another vivarium! I'm happy for you!
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Glad she's going to let you build a new viv. I got lucky in that my wife actually wants the house to look like a serpentarium. I'd go with the 8.0 the more UV you can get the better, if you want to compare bulbs check out beautifuldragons.com they have a pretty good chart that compares UV output on various bulbs.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

So seriously then, why do so many people always say 5.0, 5.0, 5.0. There isn't really much of a price difference, is there?

And I lucked out too that I have a boyfriend who loves critter as much as I do. We have it worked out pretty well, he changes the litter boxes for his cat and ferret, I take care of my lizards and snake, but we both help each other out when needed. And we both care for the dog equally, who loves us equally in return. Great dog.
We kind of made a little "deal" of our own. When I wanted another beardie, he wasn't all for it. He loves the one we have, but we already had lots of pets to care for. I finally talked him into it (more like he couldn't talk me out of it), and now that I have one he gets to get the pet taranchula he always wanted, which I'm not crazy about. *shudder* But he will take care of it himself, like I take care of my reptiles, and we'll love them all and we love each other so it's all good.
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

I think the 5.0 has been around longer and people are just more used to it. I like the MVBs because you get heat and UV, next time I need to order one I want to try the Westron, it's supposed to put out over 1000 units which is just mad uv compared to the 15 (not real sure on the #) that the reptisun flourescents put out. My wife hates my tarantula, but she loves our snakes and lizards so I decided that I'd keep her, it wasn't the only reason but I can't say that it didn't play a part in it lol.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

hey there bud..i went and got exo terra 8.0 repti glow....only thing is it flickers..at both ends..i mean it flashes very slightly....is this normal?????wattage matches starter unit..my last one done it also...do you think i need to buy new unit or is flickering normal????cheers mate

the flickering is not really normal no, I would not think. I use Repti-sun and have never seen this. It is probally in the unit I would say. I notice my garage lights do this right before they pop a bulb or ballast. My replights don't flicker any I build my own out of ballast from Lowes and end-cap kits from the aqarium store. I would try the bulb in a differnt assembly and see if it does it there. May be a bad bulb also. The main reason for the flicker is that it is not produceing enouph power to light the gasses in the bulb or the gases in the bulb are not right and ignighting properly. Does it stop when it warms up?
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"Why is it we treat the earth as if we have a spare in the trunk"

Let it warm up a bit, if it's still doing this you either have a bad bulb or ballast.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

Sorry I came in to this conversation a bit late but 8.0 vs. 5.0 of different brands doesn't really mean jack. The reason you hear people saying 5.0 this and 5.0 that is they are most likely referring to the ReptiSun 5.0 by ZooMed which for many years and many tests and shootouts has come out on top for the strip lights. ZooMed doesn't even make an 8.0 bulb. ExoTerra makes a 5.0 and an 8.0 but you can't direclty compare the two brands without using a UVB meter. It's basically really deceptive marketing which is really common in the reptile trades. It's to bad because it confuses many consumers.

Congrats on the viv. I would go with the 8.0 it is made for desert or hot sun dwelling creatures. I have always used the Repti-sun 5.0 models with my veileds and have a small Reti-sun 8.0 over my new baby beardie. I had a 5.0 over him at first cause it was all I had right then. I noticed a color change when he was changed to the 8.0 within a day or so he seemed to get a bit brighter. Don't know if there is any difference in brands. Personly myself I would drive the 50 miles and make a day of it and get something that I would not have a doubt about. . I have to drive 45 or 50 miles to get anything like that all the time being out here in the sticks.
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"Why is it we treat the earth as if we have a spare in the trunk"

I use the 8.0 on most of my tanks. I have 2 on Powersun mercury vapor bulbs, wich is an experiment. I've not been happy with the PowerSun bulbs recently since they keep burning out, repeatedly. They do give good light though. Well, I have not tried them for a long time yet, we will see.