Hi, Ashesc212.
It is ONLY the most
recent batches of ReptileUV MegaRays and T-Rex Active UV Heat Flood lamps which seem to have problems. These are lamps manufactured since October 2009. Some lamps manufactured after October were made, unknowingly, with a glass which lets out too short a wavelength of UVB, in high amounts, so that reptiles sitting close to these lamps are at risk from eye problems.
We don't think all the lamps seem to have been affected, either; in particular T-Rex have not confirmed that any of their batches are affected although we are gathering evidence to the contrary. Nine possible cases have been reported on this forum so far. (Bear in mind that thousands of lamps have been sold since October...)
ReptileUV have not taken any chances at all, and have been recalling any bulb sold after October if the owner is at all suspicious about it. I understand they are applying a new external coating to all lamps, which filters out shorter wavelengths. I think they will probably announce when these safer lamps will start shipping.
But if
- your lamps (either T-Rex or ReptileUV) were purchased before October, OR
- they were purchased after October but your reptiles showed no noticeable problems during the first two to three weeks of using them, AND
- you have your dragon's head at least a couple of inches further away than the minimum recommended distance printed on the box
then please be reassured; your lamps are almost certainly okay and so are your dragons.
Every ZooMed Reptisun 10.0
tube I have ever tested has been fine. I have never heard of any eye problems with these.
These have a "safe" spectrum with no abnormally short-wavelength UVB. They last a full year. However, like all tubes, they are only providing "UVB in the shade on a sunny day" so use a reflector behind the tube, keep it about 8 - 10" above your dragon's back, and make sure it is close to the basking lamp, so it is lighting up the basking zone as well as about half the length of the tank.
I have only tested three ExoTerra Solar Glo lamps. I am expecting some more to test, soon, thanks to a kind offer from Dawn on this forum. All three tested so far had a "safe" spectrum with no abnormally short-wavelength UVB. Two tested in 2007 had "sunbeam" levels of UVB at 12" (UV Index 3 - 4); one tested in spring 2009 was about the same as a Reptisun 10.0 tube fitted with a reflector. (UV Index 2). I have heard recently from ExoTerra that they have a new manufacturing process, so these results may already be out of date. But I have never heard of any eye problems with these.
There have been major changes in ZooMed Powersuns over the last 18 months. If you check out
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercvapourfloods.htm#zoomedpowersun
you'll see that we have found that the 100W in particular was changed (by altering the front coating) to emit far higher levels of UVB. These were not wavelengths shorter than found in sunlight, but the amounts were great enough to cause reports of eye problems and general dis-satisfaction from quite a few people. I rarely hear of problems now, so I
think they may have changed the specs back to what they had before, as they said they were going to, back in the fall... But I have not heard anything definite from them to this effect.
Basically: if you buy a new lamp:
- make certain it's NEVER closer to the top of the dragon's head than the minimum recommended distance;
- double-check your temperatures both under the lamp (at dragon height) and in your cool end; and
- watch your dragon's response over the first week.
If there's something wrong, it's not a subtle change. You will definitely see the problem. Dragons with PKC look
miserable.
All the best
Frances