Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've seen the UVB bulbs at pet stores that are $50, but on this website fluorescent tubes are only about $13, then another $25 for the fixture. Is this the right kind of stuff for a bearded dragon? http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_27&sort=3a&page=2 is the website i'm looking at
-----
~Shana~

Yes it's the same. The differance is that pet stores mark it up like 300%. As for the fixture, just go to Wal-Mart and get a cheap one that the bulbs will fit in. They work just as well as the 25 dollar ones and you won't have to pay shipping.

Later,
Robert
-----
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
adored by little statesmen, philosophers and divines.
Ralph Emerson

Yes the $13 one is the right type of light, but i'd suggest spending a few more bux and getting one of the ReptiSun 5.0 bulbs. They offer a higher UVA/UVB output and last a full year (rather than 6 months, liek the $13 ones)

This site offers all the same bulbs for a little cheaper and has really fast shipping (just make sure u get the 5.0 not the 2.0 bulbs- http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-cage-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/

Also, how big of a tank do you have? B/C at homedepot they have light fixtures for real cheap.
The whole thing cosists of-

-48" Shoplight- $7.45
-Toggle Bolts- $1.65
-12 feet of chain- $4.20
_________________________
Total (plus tax) $15.30

-----
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
Nunca & Nexus
_____

Signature file edited; [phw 9/24/04]

Oh hey that's a neat setup. Right now I have a twenty gallon I THINK,i got it for $2.50 at a garage sale and they didn't know how big it was but it's bigger than a ten gallon, and then I believe I'll get that 80 gallon tank I asked about earlier. So do you think it would be better to go with tube lighting than a bulb? Or should I get a bulb that's a basking light? Or is the basking light and the UVB light the same thing?
-----
~Shana~

Well tubes only go 12 inches and they need replaced every 6 months they cost around 11-20$ online and the MVB are around 40-45$ and they have a year guarantee on them.They give off heat and uvb but they are only available in 100-160 watts so you couldn't use it till you get your 80 gallon.Personally I did not like the MVB it blew out 3 months after I got it for absolutely no reason and I dunno about you but sending in a bulb 4 times a year for replacements gets annoying so I recommend repti sun 5.0's

Thank you so much! I think I'm getting my beardie next saturday if all goes well...if not I'll get it soon! I'm so excited!
-----
~Shana~

So wut's ur final decision with the lights?
-----
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
Quebert & Isis
_____

Signature file edited; [phw 9/24/04]

I'm definitely following your advice. Sounds a LOT less expensive than other things, but it does look really permanent... I'd have to choose a really good place where I'd want to keep my dragon.
-----
~Shana~

It's not permanant. It's alot easier than u think to putty up a hole in the ceiling, and touch it up with sum new paint. But that's alot of hassle. But keep in mind, if you don't liek where u put it eventaully, it's not the end of the world.
-----
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
Quebert & Isis
_____

Signature file edited; [phw 9/24/04]

Thanx. By the way, what type of dragons do you have?
-----
~Shana~

Keep in mind the florescent tube UVB lights have to be within 6-8" from the dragon's basking area to provide sufficient UVB rays. For large tanks it is better to suspend or attach the florescent fixture directly to the underside of the lid instead of hanging it above the cage completely. For a better understanding on how quickly UVB rays fade with distance check the chart posted on the website below.

Mercury vapour bulbs and most halogen type bulbs cannot be set up at an angle, they have to be completely straight else they burn out fast. Not sure if everybody who has been experiencing burn outs mount their MVB fixtures at an angle but that is one cause of premature burnout.
UVB Chart

-----
PHLdyPayne

If you get ReptiSun 5.0's they garuntee to penitrate up to 12 inches.

If anyone has any more doubts, Here is Zoomed's website talkingabou tthier very own ReptiSun 5.0 Bulbs. See it for yourself if u dont trust me.
-----
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
Quebert & Isis
_____

Signature file edited; [phw 9/24/04]

Nothing to do with you personally.
But I would trust the website that is not
out to sell me the bulbs. Sales will tell
you anything to get you to buy.

By the way I do use the Reptisun 5.0 bulbs.
Over the Mercury. Because of the sensitivity of
mercury bulbs. They can not be bumped. Have
to be mounted just so, so. If you have a set
up that they do not have to be moved there is
one out there that the UVB meter club recommends.

Beautiful dragons and others have a UVB meter
that they test various bulbs with. To see
if what the company's are saying is accual
facts, not just sales propaganda.

And the chart that is listed is useing the meter.
Someday I may buy me a meter too. So I can test
my own bulbs, And no for myself what is fact.

CheriS has a UVB meter and has done some testing of her own. She has done testing on many commercially available lights and still highly recommends replacing the tubes once every 6 months, minimum.

A light that was discovered even better than the ReptiSun 5.0 is the Exo-Terra 8.0. It had good output past the 6 month mark, while the ReptiSuns were beginning to diminish.

Here's a link to the article about her findings. Remember, she has no vested interest in any of these companies, her one and only concern is what is best for the lizards.
www.reptilerooms.com/Sections+index-req-viewarticle-artid-14-page-1.html

If you replace your tube bulb every 6 months, and keep it within a reasonable distance (I'd say no more than 8 inches) you can be sure you're providing at least adequate UVB for your lizard. If you don't have a UVB meter to test it yourself, then simply get it closer to the basking spot and replace the bulb every 6 months like clockwork.

We've learned through many bad products on the market that you unfortunately cannot always trust the manufacturer. Better safe than sorry.

Of course, none of that applies to MVBs, they are in a whole other league.
-----
Amanda
------------
2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
1.0 pictus gecko (Nicodemus)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
0.0.1 tarantula (Calcifer)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

The father of both my dragons is 50% German Giant. He also carries the gene for the expression of the orange coloration along the sides of his face. However, he is very dark colored and it doesn't show very well, but mine are showing quite nicely. My dragon's mother is hypomelanistic.

And i'm hoping that my dragons lavender sidebars really become more developed and vibrant as they get older.

-----
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
Quebert & Isis
_____

Signature file edited; [phw 9/24/04]