UVB bulb question?

[zippo]

Hi guys, a few month ago, I bought a reptisun 10 UVB bulb (24") for my exo terra 36x18x12"(lxwxh) from a reptile expo. After using it for a week, the light turned dull and flickered and show some slight burned mark at one end. I figured I bought a lemon and proceeded to put it back in its casing and I bought a new 36" reptisun 10 UVB HO with its own ballast from pet mountain. But this one will be used on a new national geographic 40 gal(36x18x18"). Now, after a month, my uncle took a look into the lemon bulb and found out the my hood was under powered and he changed the ballast and now that lemon bulb is burning bright like it was new. Question, can I trust that bulb is still good? Again, I really appreciate this site and everyone's help and thanks ahead of time!!

 

[CooperDragon]

If the ballast was to blame, then the bulb is probably OK. Is it a T8 or a T5? Is the new one a T5? I recommend using a T5 with a tank that size anyway as it will provide optimal UVB at 10-12'' below the bulb/fixture while a T8 is only effective at about 6-8''.

 

[zippo]

If the ballast was to blame, then the bulb is probably OK. Is it a T8 or a T5? Is the new one a T5? I recommend using a T5 with a tank that size anyway as it will provide optimal UVB at 10-12'' below the bulb/fixture while a T8 is only effective at about 6-8''.

The 24" is a T8 and the new bulb is a 36" T5HO. And I have two same dimensional tank except that the newest one is a higher 12" vs 18". I have would that would get them pretty close for the T8. I'm not sure how close I should put with the T5HO since its high output and that's why I got the new higher tank!!

 

[CooperDragon]

OK good. Stick with the T5. Put the highest part of the basking point 10'' away if you're going through a screen and about 12'' if not. That's definitely what you want to use in a larger tank for best results.

 

[zippo]

OK good. Stick with the T5. Put the highest part of the basking point 10'' away if you're going through a screen and about 12'' if not. That's definitely what you want to use in a larger tank for best results.

Sounds great and thanks again!