UV Lighting or lack thereof...

[ABLuvsKatie]

We adopted Katie this weekend; she's 18 months old. They gave us all her stuff and I was told the bulb had just blown out on her UV light. The pet store (I've been to four) didn't have the replacement bulb; he ordered it and said she'd be OK a few days without it. We've been taking her outside every day - there's just no sun outside here today at all though. But I found out today those bulbs are supposed to be replaced every six months?!!? How long after six months do you think it takes to completely blow the bulb?? I'm wondering if this is the light/bulb she's had her whole 18 months? Would that mean she's been lacking UV for a YEAR?? I'm worried. They said they let her roam the lanai sometimes which is natural sunlight but it's screened so it's not strong UV...and I don't know how often she got that. I'm hoping the new bulb will be in tomorrow, they said Thursday for sure.

This is the light they gave me. I'm sticking with this for now but hoping to upgrade/enlarge her tank and everything soon.
http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/low-profile-t5-fixture-desert-series.htm

 

[tank4102]

hello, i do not know if that bulb is bad, but i sugest gettin reptisun 10.0.(most of everyone here suggests that)

 

[randtm]

Or, if you want a mercury vapor bulb that provides both UV and heat, and don't want to deal with a tube, go for a MegaRay. That seems to be the top choice here. They only need to be 12-14 inches from that, as opposed to 6 for a tube, which can make things a little easier.

 

[herpfreak]

It depends on the type of bulb. Fluorescent bulbs such as the one in the link (which I highly recommend throwing out, those are not reliable in the least) should be replaced every six months, but can last longer. They continue to give off light long after they stop giving off UVB. So, your beardie has been without UVB for a while now, although we can't be certain on exactly how long.

Mercury vapor bulbs, as Randtm pointed out, only need to be replaced every year, but do run a bit more expensive than fluorescents. They give off heat as well as a very powerful amount of UVB. MVBs do provide a fire hazard and should be kept at least a foot from the highest basking point in the enclosure.

The most important thing while shopping for a new UVB bulb is to buy the highest quality bulbs out there. Anything less than the best of the best can cause eye damage as well as insufficient UVB radiation.

As far as fluorescent bulbs go, the ReptiSun 10.0 or Arcadia are the best out there. For MVBs, get a MegaRay or T-Rex bulb.

For now, the Zilla bulb shouldn't hurt her, but you should definitely buy a new one soon.