Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys & gals...I have a question.

Forest is due for a new UVB light next month so while we were at the pet store today, I grabbed a Zoo Med Iguana Light 5.0.

They had quite a few but either they were handled roughly or they had been there for a while cause the box it came in looks kinda rough.

My question is (and I asked the guy there & he told me "no" but I don't know if he was telling me the truth or not) but will the bulb lose its UVB strength if it had been there a while?

It hasn't been used but looks like it's been there for a few months.

Thanks,
Terri

the only way you would know is to have a UVB meter to test it...but I have never heard of such a thing...I will look into it...Lyn

n/p

Hey Terri,

I'm guessing that UV strength is a factor of how long the bulb's been on -- how much of itself it has "used up" -- than how old it is. You'd figure that they'd have expiration dates if it were a matter of the age of the bulb itself.

But let me know if you hear from anyone else, as it'd be good to know what the rule is.

Hi guys,

I put my question to my cousin today who used to have an ig long ago & he told me that the UVB part of the light was more or less a coating that is put on the bulb & only dissipates with usage of the bulb.

So if it hasn't been used but is old, shouldn't matter.

ANYWAY....would you believe, I bought the wrong size bulb & have to take it back anyway??? Good grief.

LOL

Thanks all!

Terri

Aha. Makes perfect sense. That's handy to know for future reference!