Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the difference. I read UVB earlier today and went back to my petstore to see what I had. Ours is UVA. It's a "basking/heat" bulb though. The box says it's for healthy shell and such, so we thought this was the correct one.

We also bought a nightglow light for night basking (it says)

thanks!

If your turtle doesn`t have access to unfiltered sunlight (not through windows, plexiglass, etc., which block UVB rays), you need a UVB light. Your turtle converts the UVB rays into Vit. D3, which is necessary for him to be able to utilize calcium and keep his shell healthy. They come in tubes or screw-in bulbs; they give off very little heat, though, so depending on the temp. of the basking area (it`s good to have a thermometer for both the basking area and the water), another heat source may be necessary, which is the basking light you`re using now. (You can use a regular light bulb for UVA rays and heat, though.) There are also mercury vapor lights, which provide both UVB and UVA rays; I`ve never used them, but hear they work well (they are also more expensive).

BTW, don`t know how useful the night-glo light is (I shut lights off). If it`s a black light, though, I wouldn`t use it--I read it could damage their eyes.

Wow! I researched so much a couple of months ago when we got our RES, but the more I look, the more there is to research and learn. I have been to MANY info sites today and see what you mean by needing the UVB and basking light.

Now, we've had a screen w/ the basking light lying on top. I have to figure out getting rid of the screen to properly use a UVB bulb while using the basking light. I dread clipping the basking light in the rare case that it falls in while suspending it from the ceiling isn't in the plans.

At least now I don't feel QUITE as dumb about thinking my basking light was enough. There was one site that specifically showed my bulb and package saying "DON'T BE FOOLED" w/ the explanation. It's good for the heat, but not the UVB.

Off to the store again.

thanks again.

PS. I've now learned not to trust the workers selling the products. I realize they know less than I do! It breaks my heart to think of all the misinfo they have given and how many pets are suffering b'c of it.

This has happened to me twice now. First w/ a hermit crab and now our RES. If i didn't try to be active in forums and chat groups, who knows how ours would have survived.

I know what you mean about the salespeople--it`s hard to find knowlegable ones (they`re job is to sell, after all...). Glad to hear you took the time to get it right. Too many people say they`ve got the right bulb because they were told it was "full spectrum" when it`s only for UVA. (I wouldn`t buy it if doesn`t specifically say it provides UVB on the package.) For UVA and heat, you can just use a regular incandescent light bulb along with the UVB light (I do). BTW, do you remember the site that actually showed a picture of what not to get? Thanks.

I have no idea about the site now. I sat here for 2 hours doing searches and clicking on any and everything. I do think it was a Zoo Med bulb though. We took it back.

Poor worker today. LOL! I think I was a bit snippy w/ her about her opinions on the bulbs and it turns out, she might actually have known what she was talking about. I ended up telling her that we've been misinformed a couple of times already.

Today we bought a coiled looking UVB bulb. It's newer I guess so we didn't have to buy a hood and tube light. This one is going into a clip lamp and produces UVB and UVA. But we're usimg a Dayglo for heat which also has UVA. Wonder if two UVA lights are harmful? We have both pointing onto the basking rock. (Please tell me having them both pointing on the rock won't harm the effects of the UVB rays)

We had a reptile screen over the tank w/ the lamp on top of it. Since I read UVB is lessened through screen we got rid of it and are only using clip lamsp. I'm deathly afraid of that some mishap will cause the clip lamps to fall into the water.

I know how you feel about the screen...whether the screen diminishes the effectiveness of the UVB or not, I will continue to use a screen. I just don't feel safe with electric clip lamps hanging over the tank. Especially with my cat and her ability to bat at things and knock them over. As it is she is bold enough with the turtle to reach into his feeding tub and touch his back...change that to a big tank of water with a bunch of electric devices around it and I don't even want to think about what could happen.

So, I will continue to use my screen top. If it makes that much difference with UVB then I'll gladly take the turtle outside more to compensate. It's not worth compromising safety.

What kind of screens do you have? There was one site somewhere that told me the mesh had to be larger than X. I don't remember what it said, but I'm going to try to find it. I'm assuming the reptile screened tops that Petsmart sold was safe, but I don't know.

I am too worried about the lights and can understand why you would be too. About the only thing we have on our side is the aquarium is upstairs in a bedroom in a corner. the two lights are in the corner also, so nothing can walk against it or sit anywhere near it.

I'll let you know if i find the site and the mesh size.

~Christi

I found the section about filtering out UVB. Here is a paragraph about it and the link. Seems like a pretty good link if it's all correct.

**Glass filters out 95% of all UVB rays. Aluminum screen filters out about 30%. If a screen cover is used between the light source and the animal, be sure the screen has 1/8 inch or larger holes. Also, make sure your light source is within 12 inches of your animals.**

www.resoasis.com/lighting.htm

Could you tell me what brand the coiled UVB light you`re using is? I use one also, but I`m in Tokyo and the brand I buy here is different that brands sold in the States. I like them much better than the flourescent tubes--the turtle gets the UVB when it`s basking, not when it`s swimming in the water (which also cuts UVB to some extent. My bulb screws into a socket that clamps on to the side of his container, and I`ve never had any problem with it falling; I just check it to make sure it`s clamped firmly on.�@I don`t think you have anything to worry about with both lights pointing toward the basking area.

I replied in a separate post to you about the bulb.