Lighting help

[dylankw]

I am using an old 55 gal fish tank as my viv and I am currently using the flouro fixture that came with it to provide the UVB. The problem is this lamp is a T12 fixture and all of the bulbs on the market that are designed for reptiles are T8. I currently have a bulb designed for home use that has the highest UVB output I could find, but I don't have a meter so I dont know exactly what it is putting out. I talked to a vet who specializes in exotics and he said my current set up was fine as long as I let him outside to get real UVB for 10 min or so almost everyday. My question is there a way to either convert my fixture to T8 easily, or is there a better solution? Does someone know where I can purchase a T12 48" bulb at a reasonable price? This is my current set up. Sorry its a tad blury.

Thanks!

Dylankw

 

[Denduran87]

I think the 48" reptisun is T12
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=7c3mTbimDtO4twe6jKXaCg&ved=0CE4Q8wIwAA#

although your beardie needs to get alot closer with any light you use than what he is able to now.

 

[dylankw]

Well he almost always sits up on that vine in there which allows him to be quite close. I let him get just as close as he can without being able to climb out of the enclosure.

 

[BadCon]

To the above poster: 48" reptisuns haven't been T12 since 2006 iirc. They are all T8 sized now.

To the OP: Depending on when that aquarium hood was made, it will work with both T8 and T12 bulbs. I have a 48" fixture like that, and it specifically lists working with either bulb. The kicker is whether it has an electronic ballast or not...if it does, you should be ok using a T8 bulb. Worst case scenario it is over driving the bulb by about 8w...which isn't catastrophic (just means it will burn out sooner, however you'll replace it at 6 months anyways and it should run that long at least).

As for your current bulb, there are no "household" T12 tubes that put out UVB. You may have one marked as a "daylight" bulb, but that simply means the color temperature is 5000-6500k. It won't be emitting any UVB, so you'll need to get a reptisun asap.

 

[dylankw]

I have read that ALL flouro tubes produce UVA and UVB. The closer they are to the high powered "Daylight" bulbs the more UVA and UVB is produced. However they use phospher to change the UVA and UVB int visible light, but it does not convert all of it and some still escapes. However, from what the vet told me he would be fine with just the outside time if he had to go that way. I will check the lamp tomorrow. All I know is it has a big ass heavy black brick thing about halfway along the cord. Is that the ballast?

 

[BadCon]

I have read that ALL flouro tubes produce UVA and UVB. The closer they are to the high powered "Daylight" bulbs the more UVA and UVB is produced. However they use phospher to change the UVA and UVB int visible light, but it does not convert all of it and some still escapes. However, from what the vet told me he would be fine with just the outside time if he had to go that way. I will check the lamp tomorrow. All I know is it has a big ***** heavy black brick thing about halfway along the cord. Is that the ballast?

You are partially correct. While fluorescent tubes will produce UV light in various spectrums, the type of glass the tube is constructed with will determine exactly what spectrum's are emitted from the bulb. Reptile specific bulbs are typically constructed from quartz glass, which allows UVB and UVA to escape. Standard household fluorescent tubes designed to be used in someones home or garage are made from standard glass, which will block ALL of the UVB and much of the UVA (though not all of it). If the glass didn't, then these bulbs wouldn't be safe for use around humans....think of it this way. If every single fluorescent tube on the market emitted UVB, we'd all have serious tans!

This is why we use special Reptile bulbs. Also, 10 minutes a day outside is not enough exposure. Try a couple hours...that would be much better.

 

[Dementeddogz]

If you want to keep the fixture and change it from a t-12 to a t-8 it is possible depending on how comfortable you feel working on it. If you open up the hood youll find a "ballast" itll be the square/rectangle thing with all the wires, running to the tombstones (the things you twist the lamp in. You can take that out and change it for a t8 ballast, as long as you find one that fits, is 120 or multi tap you should be good. they also have replacement aquarium ballast you could order when doing it. Its easier then it sounds and Id be more then willing to give you a a hand if needed but with a simple change out the instructions should cover it fairly well.