Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I see that Bean Farm is carrying this UK-made lamp, and it seems
it could have some advantages over the alternatives. Do any of y'all have any experience with it or other knowledge about it - good or bad?

Thanks,

Steve

I use the Arcadia's exclusively with all my lizard species collards, uromastyx's and bearded dragons), but the torts will be exposed to it once they all come in during the winter months.
All the lizards were immediately drawn to them once I put them in their enclosures. Have been using them for about a year and I would not use anything else at this point.
I HIGHLY recommend them!
Lori

What were you using with your lizards prior to this lamp?
Do you know what the useful (in terms of UV output) life of these is supposed to be? I, too, am just setting up quarters for small tortoises which will soon have to start spending some indoor time. I've owned almost every type of MV UV lamp made, and, in my opinion, their very high failure rate makes them unacceptably unreliable. And the UV output of "regular" flourescent tubes like the ZooMed 5.0's. decays too quickly.

We were using the Reptisun and/or Exo-terra originally. Then switched to the Power Sun's. Although the Power Sun's don't last that long (a few months at most and are quite spendy) their UVB output was quite high.

We then tried the Arcadia and tested it with a UVB tester and a Power Sun and they both read equal. So then started using the Arcadia. Although, the Arcadia isn't a basking bulb as the Power Sun is, those Arcadia's are still working after a year of use. UVB output is still good as well.
You can't go wrong to try one anyway and see for yourself how your animals respond to it. It is pretty amazing to watch. Like they are drawn to it.

Lori

I would be interested in knowing, at which distance this Arcardia bulb gave similar UVB output than the Powersun bulbs.
I agree, that the powersun and similar bulbs are very costly and shortlived and would love an alternative.
But ususally fluorescent bulbs only give the UVB output indicated at very short distance to the animal. In my enclosure I would need the appropriate output at at least 60 cm from the lamp.
So any more information on your measurements would be very appreciated!
Thanks,

Gaby

Trying to recall from a year ago when we originally were testing the two, I believe it was 10 - 12 inches on both. I was a bit amazed myself honestly, but this bulb was highly recommeded by someone I highly respect, so I took his advice and gave it a whirl.

Lori