UV Tube vs UV coil globe

[jessicajh]

Hello everyone.

I just have a question in regards lighting. For the past 2 years we have used the coil type globes in her enclosure. Have not had an issue with her health but in the last couple of days she has had one of her eyes closed. So I was looking around on here and kept reading that the coil globes are bad and a tube should be used instead. I'm not sure if the eye is from trauma as she was climbing around her enclosure the morning I noticed her eye, or if its something else. Her eye looks fine on the occasions she does open it (no redness or discharge) and will take her to my local reptile vet if it persists. But would love everyones thoughts on their experiences with the two different globes, and the reasoning behind it if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CooperDragon]

The 13w coil bulbs are not really powerful enough to be effective at a safe distance (at least 6''). The 26w ones produce a decent amount of UVB, similar to a T8 tube from what I've seen, but have a limited spread/beam width. The tubes produce a nice wide beam that allows for even basking. The T8 bulbs (and T5 5.0/6% bulbs) produce adequate UVB between about 6-8'' but their output is less effective beyond that. The T5 bulbs (10.0/12%) produce stronger output (and Arcadia 14% even stronger) that sends daylight levels of UVB out to about 12-14'' from the bulb so they are better suited for larger enclosures. Being able to provide a fairly even beam of UVB that is at least as long as your dragon will allow them to bask evenly which better simulates how they bask in the wild.

 

[jessicajh]

Ahh I see. Thank you!! The globe that we are using at the moment is an intense UVB 200 25w - hopefully that will be adequate until we can sort out a different lighting arrangement for the enclosure.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[kingofnobbys]

Ahh I see. Thank you!! The globe that we are using at the moment is an intense UVB 200 25w - hopefully that will be adequate until we can sort out a different lighting arrangement for the enclosure.

I use these for my dragons very successfully, I do however mount my 25W UVB200 globes in a Exo Terra Nano Hood , so the globe is mounted on it's side , this has the effect of producing wider area of high UV which is spread out over about 600mm x 400mm at 8 inches from the globe. My entire 100L rearing tub is bathed in light and UV.
I have Solarmeters (models 6.2, 6.5 and 5.7 and have measured the UVB, UVA and UVI in a test so I am sure my set up is OK for rearing bearded dragons.

I used to use these in dome reflectors (globe in vertical mode) which produced a much smaller UV illumated area , perhaps only 1/2 the bottom of the 100L tube was covered at the same distance from the globe. In a 100L rearing tub, this worked well for rearing hatchling bearded dragons, but was not optimal.

If you are going for larger tank (larger than 700mm x 400mm footprint) you are better off investing in T8 or T5HO tube depending mostly on the height of the tank.

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree with Kingofnobbys. If you're going to use a coil bulb, that's the one to go with. It has limited range but if you're using a reflector and keep it within 6-8'' of the basking area it should be OK, especially in a small enclosure.