Finally Got The New UVB!

[Reptar101]

Ok, so today I got a new UVB! I did have my dragons under a ReptiGlo 10.0, the coil kind. Yes, I know, that wasn't smart. But two days ago, one of our dogs tripped on the cord and it broke. So we went to PetSmart. I got one of those ones that are Zilla that come with the fixture. I am just very glad because I didn't like the ReptiGlo! I wanted the best for my babies. The breeder we got Puff from told us they were alright, but everyone on here said no, so I went with majority rules! The one we had in there previously was only 1 1/2 months old, so it wasn't time to change it, but I was going to change it anyways!

 

[HeatherSullivan]

Ok, so today I got a new UVB! I did have my dragons under a ReptiGlo 10.0, the coil kind. Yes, I know, that wasn't smart. But two days ago, one of our dogs tripped on the cord and it broke. So we went to PetSmart. I got one of those ones that are Zilla that come with the fixture. I am just very glad because I didn't like the ReptiGlo! I wanted the best for my babies. The breeder we got Puff from told us they were alright, but everyone on here said no, so I went with majority rules! The one we had in there previously was only 1 1/2 months old, so it wasn't time to change it, but I was going to change it anyways!

Sorry to put down your new light, but Zilla brand is quite crappy. I would ditch the bulb and invest in a Repti-Sun 10.0. They are the best. You can find them at petmountain.com for like 27 bucks or so. And i've heard you can find the fixtures at Walmart. I think in the cabinet lighting area...for about 9 bucks.

 

[Reptar101]

The Zilla one came with the fixture, so that is the main reason we got it. I have a question. Am I supposed to remove that plastic thing on the fixture?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

If you mean the clear cover then yes.

 

[Reptar101]

Thank you!

 

[Reptar101]

I just removed it (with some trouble)!

 

[Twobeardieguy]

No prob.

 

[Reptar101]

I scratched myself pretty bad. I didn't see the screws you had to undo (they were in their weird) and it sliced the palm of my hand!

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Yea that happened to me a long time ago. Clean up the wound.

 

[Reptar101]

Don't worry, I did. It hurt like a paper cut though :shock:

 

[Heffie]

I understand removing a glass cover but why remove a hard plastic cover... just wondering

 

[HeatherSullivan]

I understand removing a glass cover but why remove a hard plastic cover... just wondering

Anything between the bulb and the dragon will block uvb from your beardie. Be it wire mesh, plastic, or glass. So its best to have nothing between the bulb and your dragon. I ended up mounting mine under the wire mesh by looping a few christmas ornament hooks together and strapped my fixture under the wire mesh...here's a pic (you can't really see the wire holding it on though):

 

[Reptar101]

Yup, Heather's right. This is also a bump.

 

[Heffie]

Found some good info on the subject:

Mesh and Screen in the Vivarium

"Anything that is placed between the lamp and the reptile will absorb a percentage of the UVB.

Ordinary glass will absorb 99-100% of the UVB; most plastics will absorb almost all. It is therefore very important that there is no plastic or glass between the bare tube and the reptile. Some fluorescent tube fixtures are sold with transparent shields; these must be removed, as UVB will not pass through.

Panels of wire mesh or fly screen are often used as lids or ventilation panels for vivaria, and enclosures completely constructed with nylon mesh are increasing in popularity. It is quite common for fluorescent tubes to be placed outside of the vivarium, with the mesh or screen between the tube and the reptile. Wire mesh or fly screen significantly reduce transmission, mainly by physically blocking the passage of the UV light."

- http://uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttubemeshtests.htm

For more good info on lighting visit the quoted site, I like to know why.

 

[Reptar101]

Thank you for posting that, Heffie.