Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im switching some of my animals over to this Ultra Compact bulb because ive heard good things about it but i saw itit lastas a year? i dont buy it i thought all UVB bulbs lasted 6 months then ya switch em out. Any one know the legitamacy of this.
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1 Black roughneck Monitor (Slick Rick)
A ton of Crested Geckos
1 Vieled Cham (Tony Montana)
Nosy Be Panther Chame (GEE)
1 Leo (Nikki)
1 Uro Yoshi
60 Gallon Hex African Cichlid Tank
26 Gallon Bowfront Marine Tank
1 Blue Quaker Parrot Kenny Blankenchip
My Email

I don't know anything about this specific bulb, but I know a little about UVB bulbs in general. The 6 month rule is if you don't have a meter to monitor the output - some actually don't even last that long, even in the same exact brand and style. If you ahve a meter, some bulbs will last a year or even more. The ZooMed fluorescent bulbs have such a good track record, that I'm sure they're decent, but I don't know if I would trust a whole year without having a meter to be sure.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

If you want a great bulb for your uromastyx, go to the following link and order an Arcadia D3 compact reptile bulb. And while you're at it, get some uromastyx dust food suppliment too, it'll make a positive difference in your uro. Doug has done his own tests on UVB output of pretty much all the bulbs out there and this is the best he's found. No marketing hype here.
uromastyx specific supplies

After about 8 years of husbandry using Reptisun bulbs I have revamped my set up and changed over to the 160W Powersun mercury vapor bulb.

My ornates love it, although I am beginning to worry that I should start wearing sunscreen in my living room!

The huge jump in output is worth the higher cost. (Online prices are usually ~$45, brick-and-mortar prices usually ~$75. I don't know how they can sell em for $5 over cost, unless they move a lot of `em.)

Longevity is in the same range as the Reptisuns. (I have heard they last 9 to 12 months, but personally wouldn't go over 6 months without monitoring with a meter.)

Healthier animals are worth the expense.

Be well.

Benedita
1.1.0 U.ocellata ornata (Harley & Galileo)