Dust on the UVB lamp

[NickAVD]

Today I made another control measurement of the level of UVB in the terrarium.
On the new lamp, the UVB value in the basking zone was 130-135 µW/cm2, and today my UVB meter showed 95-98 µW/cm2, i.e. less by 30%. I had a replacement lamp, but I decided to look into the reasons, because I planned to change it only after 3 months.
I know that a bad reflector can have a big effect on the UVB level and I had the idea that it might be dusty. Outwardly, it looked perfectly clean, and it was difficult to tell about the lamp, because color of the lamp hide any dust.
I carefully wiped with a dry soft cloth both the lamp and the reflector, after turning on my UVB again shows 130 μW / cm2!
I want to draw the attention of all forum participants to this - do not forget to periodically wipe the lamp and the UVB lamp, because this can cause a decrease in UVB by such a large number - 30%

 

[xp29]

Wow, that has never occurred to me. Glass blocks 100% screen 30 to 50% i really does make sense that dust would block it also.
Thats good info, thank you for sharing

 

[NickAVD]

I think a lot depends on the substrate.
I have sand and it is a little dusty.
But I didn't even think that the dust has such a strong effect. Dust is clearly visible on a top black arcadia lamp reflector and almost invisible on the glass lamp, it is looked like clean, but it is there and greatly decrease the UVB

 

[xp29]

I have sand/reptisoil mix in some of mine, I'll be cleaning them tonight!!!!

 

[NickAVD]

I have sand/reptisoil mix in some of mine, I'll be cleaning them tonight!!!!

I want to clarify that most of the dust on the lamp lies on top.

Therefore, you need to place a cloth between the reflector and the lamp to remove dust, or simply remove the lamp and wipe it from all sides.

 

[xp29]

Yeah, I'll just pull the lamps and wipe them down, one get replaced today anyways, but go figure it's in a habitat without the sand lmao

 

[Claudiusx]

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