Measuring UVB

[Dragonblade]

I am wondering if there is a cheap way to measure UVB in a specific location in the cage. I have seen a couple of meters but mostly in the $200 range. Just wondering if anyone has stumbled on anything cheaper. Currently I have Draco in a 55 Gallon Viv, it has a screen I have a basking lamp , and a 2 foot long Reptisun 10.0, along with a 2 ft regular tube fluorescent next to the basking light. Just wanting to make sure he is getting enough. When bathe him I do it by a window so that he gets some there too.. (although I know the glass blocks most of the UVB, it's too cold here at the moment I think to let him hang out outside for any decent period of time).

 

[Akeath]

The cheapest UVB meter I've found is at reptiluv.com for $180. As long as he can get 6 inches within that Reptisun and it is less than 6 months old, it is safe to say he is getting enough though.

 

[Dragonblade]

Even through the screen?

 

[Akeath]

The screen will get rid of some of the UVB, yes, but it should still be putting out enough given the conditions I mentioned before are met.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The screen will filter out a small portion of the UVB light. Can you mount the Reptisun 10 underneath the screen with wires tying it to the screen? He will get much better output & exposure that way.
Unfortunately, UVB meters are not cheap. If you get the cheap ones, they are not always very accurate either. Some of them have filters on them that tend to skew the results of the UVB due to the way it is reading it. So it might not be including all of the readings for full accuracy. You are better off buying the better ones. Bobmac has a good one on his site at: http://www.reptileuv.com


Tracie

 

[Dragonblade]

He is currently about 7 inches from it. I will try to lower it a notch, I will see if I can think of a way to mount it under the screen.

 

[Dragonblade]

Rather his basking perch is about 7 inches from it.

 

[LQDragons]

He is currently about 7 inches from it. I will try to lower it a notch, I will see if I can think of a way to mount it under the screen.

here's how I did one