ZooMed Repti-Basking bulb keeps burning out.

jleasure0614":2rp75zgi said:

I have had my bearded dragon since the beginning of April. Since then I have gone through at least 4 bulbs. I've been buying the ZooMed Repti-Basking 150w bulb. They're burning out so frequently that I've only actually paid for the first one... They burn out within PetSmart's return period each time.

I actually forgot about my bad luck because this one lasted almost 90 days, but this morning burnt out.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I feel like these should be lasting longer. It's in a double dome fixture with the UVB bulb and that bulb has worked great. Should I use different basking bulbs, and if so, what does anyone suggest?

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KarrieRee":3qzdjz4v said:

You have a coil UVB??? Please get rid of it-----
Here is some info on UVB's
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays-- you need to replace ASAP---- once you get rid of the dual dome I am guessing the basking bulb will last longer - I use the same type and dont have that issue -- I am guessing its the dual dome its in --- but that UVB coil needs to be replaced w/ one of the UVB's listed above
Karrie

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KarrieRee":1a4ab733 said:

You have a coil UVB??? Please get rid of it-----
Here is some info on UVB's
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays-- you need to replace ASAP---- once you get rid of the dual dome I am guessing the basking bulb will last longer - I use the same type and dont have that issue -- I am guessing its the dual dome its in --- but that UVB coil needs to be replaced w/ one of the UVB's listed above
Karrie

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KarrieRee":6l8nhb6n said:

You have a coil UVB??? Please get rid of it-----
....
Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided.

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From: https://www.moonvalleyreptiles.com/reptile-resources/reptile-uvb-lighting

While UVB-producing compact fluorescent coil bulbs have been implicated for problems in the past, most of the name-brands you encounter are safe for your pets. However, depending on your species, they don’t produce nearly enough UVB for diurnal and desert species. They can be a very good choice for nocturnal or tropical species such as chameleons, crested geckos and other New Caledonian geckos. Uromastyx and other desert lizards would require a high number of coil bulbs that would be cost-prohibitive.

The old bulbs from 2006-2009 could still be in circulation. The brands affected were Zilla and Zoo Med, while Exo Terra Repti-Glo 5.0 coil bulbs did not have problems, but the 10.0 came close to the problem wavelengths. People were advised to avoid all coil bulbs during this time.

All of the aforementioned brands now produce safe coil bulbs, but be wary of older products still on the market.

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MrSpectrum":2xp6yxv5 said:

KarrieRee":2xp6yxv5 said:

You have a coil UVB??? Please get rid of it-----
....
Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided.

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Is this still valid, or has it achieved/risen to urban myth status?

The reason I ask is that virtually every post I've seen about it is either ~10 years old, or can be traced to another post that is ~10 years old. Also,

From: https://www.moonvalleyreptiles.com/reptile-resources/reptile-uvb-lighting

While UVB-producing compact fluorescent coil bulbs have been implicated for problems in the past, most of the name-brands you encounter are safe for your pets. However, depending on your species, they don’t produce nearly enough UVB for diurnal and desert species. They can be a very good choice for nocturnal or tropical species such as chameleons, crested geckos and other New Caledonian geckos. Uromastyx and other desert lizards would require a high number of coil bulbs that would be cost-prohibitive.

The old bulbs from 2006-2009 could still be in circulation. The brands affected were Zilla and Zoo Med, while Exo Terra Repti-Glo 5.0 coil bulbs did not have problems, but the 10.0 came close to the problem wavelengths. People were advised to avoid all coil bulbs during this time.

All of the aforementioned brands now produce safe coil bulbs, but be wary of older products still on the market.

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...and that article was updated in 2014.

It seems a stretch that these companies wouldn't have addressed/fixed this problem in that length of time without somebody organizing/filing a class-action suit.

YMMV

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claudiusx":axme7b78 said:

I would say the statement is pretty accurate, minus the eye issues.

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kingofnobbys":axme7b78 said:

Stick to Arcadia, Exo Terra and Zoo Med compact UVBs for rearing tubs and smaller tanks where 22" tubes are overkill ( or too long ) and MVBs are overpowering , and you'll be just fine.

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