Lighting Question

[Stygma]

I just came into possesion of yet another Beardie. This one is slightly older than my other one, Nel. I didn't want to put them in the same terrarium, so I set him up in Nel's old 40 Gallon glass terrarium. Now heres my question. I've got two lights now (as opposed to the ONE MVB Nel uses); A 100 Watt Basking bulb (I forgot the brand name, sorry XD) and a Repti Glo 10.0 for UVB that I JUST purchaced. Only now and I reading all the horror stories about Compact bulbs. Is this all just bunk? Should I be worried? (I mean, if they were really as bad as some people make them out to be, wouldn't they be off the shelves by now?)

Any input is greatly appriciated.

 

[beardie parents]

The coil/compact bulbs, no matter who makes them, cause eye problems in reptiles. If you go to the mega ray site: http://www.reptileuv.com, you will find a like on the left side that goes to the uk site that tested all these bulbs. The uk site has info on the fluorescents (I'm not sure they have info on the Reptiglo 10 strip yet) and, I think, the mercury vapor bulbs.

 

[NegativeCreep]

I'd ditch the bulb (or return it!). Its not necessarily a bad bulb, for some herps.. but it is absolutely essential for Beardies to get their UVB, and this bulb just doesn't do the job.
Eventually, we will invest in a MVB, so if you have to shop, you may as well!

 

[keli]

what constitues a coil bulb? im confused when people talk about this...
are the exo-terra bubls coil bulbs?

 

[Stygma]

Coil bulbs are like Compact Fluorescent lights in your house (the ones that kind of twist around themselves).
As for the Repti Glo 10.0. I just spent 20-odd-dollars on it, so I'm not ditching it. Returning it seems to be the best option, but I don't know what to replace it with, and I just can't afford another MVB yet.

 

[NegativeCreep]

what constitues a coil bulb? im confused when people talk about this...
are the exo-terra bubls coil bulbs?

Coil bulbs:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752558

 

[NegativeCreep]

Coil bulbs are like Compact Fluorescent lights in your house (the ones that kind of twist around themselves).
As for the Repti Glo 10.0. I just spent 20-odd-dollars on it, so I'm not ditching it. Returning it seems to be the best option, but I don't know what to replace it with, and I just can't afford another MVB yet.

No, I didn't mean for you to seriously just throw it away
Here seems to be the best deal online. They are a lot higher if you buy them at any of the stores I've visited.
Actually, I wish I would have found this earlier..

 

[Stygma]

Which bulb should I replace it with, though?

 

[NegativeCreep]

Which bulb should I replace it with, though?

Ah crap, I forgot the link!
http://www.petmountain.com/product/fluorescent/504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-bulb.html

 

[Stygma]

. I don't have the right fixture for those. All I've got is two deep domes.

 

[NegativeCreep]

Then you can get a Mercury Vapor Bulb, they are better anyways. But they are more expensive.
The compact bulbs just won't do. MVB's fit in a regular type lamp, so long as it can support the wattage.
http://www.petmountain.com/product/incandescent/107801/powersun-uv.html

Well, they are more expensive for the bulb itself, but you won't have to buy a separate fixture. They are worth every dollar.

 

[Stygma]

As I said Before, I can't afford an MVB right now. There must me an alternative to the Repti Glo that doesn't cause eye problems.

 

[h0ndap0w3r]

the MVB is 20 more then the strip and u don't have to get a heat light and all that stuff. . . but i used a reptisun 10.0 with my last set up. . . I currently use a 100watt MVB and some energy saver bulbs for extra lighting.

 

[keli]

Does anyone use this bulb?
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/-/exo-terra-125-watt-solar-glo-bulb/

The least expensive I could find, its the one I think I'm going for.