UVB Coil?

[Thorrrrrr]

Hi guys, I went to a pet store today and told them that i need a florescent light to replace my coil 10.0 UVB light. They asked why and i told them that People says it gives eye trouble or any kind of illness to bearded dragon. Then they told me that there is no difference between florescent and coil. And then they also told me that they used to have coil in every reptile pet they have. and they showed me there new terrarium. they have florescent light and a red bulb. They also told me that they do not need those basking light as long as it generate heat. now the showed me this red bulb called HEAT GLO. i have a 20 gal. so they picked 75 watt. Now my question is, Is this setting right?
-ejay

 

[K9KidsLove]

Hi...No, it is not right. They are only telling you that to make a sale. Their job is to sell their products, not to know correct husbandry.

During the day you need bright white light...not red...and at night you need dark...not red. If it gets colder than 65 at night, a ceramic heat emitter is recommended. It gives off only heat, no light.

It is true that the coil lights have caused a lot of eye as well as health problems. Again, they want to make a sale. The safest and cheapest UVB is the ReptiSun 10 long fluorescent tube. However, it is way cheaper...like 1/2 the price...to buy online. http://WWW.PetMountain.com seems to have the cheapest prices. The other safe ones include the Megaray MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulb) and the T-Rex Active Heat bulb. They have UVB and heat in one bulb. They are better if used correctly, but cost a bit more. Again, cheaper online.

When using the fluorescent tube it is best to put the heat/basking bulb right beside the tube so he gets benefit from both lights at the same time. You can use regular household bulbs instead of paying the high prices for specialty bulbs.

There have been a couple of petitions on here for people to sign, trying to get pet stores to be required to learn proper husbandry so their animals can be housed properly and so employees can give correct advice.

If you bought the red light, you need to take it back. You can leave the coil light off for a few days in order to get a new ReptiSun 10 sent to you. It will be better for your dragon to be with no UVB for a few days than to have a coil.
Good luck
Patsy

 

[vickson420]

moved to enclosures
Ditto on everything :wink:

 

[Thorrrrrr]

sorry vic xD

 

[MetalMilitia]

Coils truely are bad i had one on my beardie just to raise the temp in the cage and Bahumat Would hide all day and now he has a crooked back from just a few days of hiding in his hide. Not suggested at all

 

[Thorrrrrr]

what do i need when buying a fluerescent light?

 

[Thorrrrrr]

will aquatic fluerecent fixture works for reptisun? because the pet shop said reptisun need there own light fixture and that sun glow doesnt. is this true?

 

[Evin]

will aquatic fluerecent fixture works for reptisun? because the pet shop said reptisun need there own light fixture and that sun glow doesnt. is this true?

Any kind of fluorescent fixture will work with any kind of fluorescent tube just the matter of a size. Don't always listen pet store because they are there to sell not to keep. Sun Glo can only be used for heat (as it doesn't emit any UVB rays), but not necessary as you can just use regular household bulb as a heat source

 

[K9KidsLove]

Hi...Go to your Home Depot or Walmart to get a fluorescent fixture. It is less than 1/2 the price of a pet store fixture. Look for one that has a cord to plug in, not the kind that is to be directly wired.

Did you order your ReptiSun 10 long fluorescent bulb yet?

good luck
Patsy

 

[Thorrrrrr]

yes i have the reptisun 10.0 UVB fluerescent light. Now for my setting. i have a 20 gal. tank. a rock, a water dish and a food dish. the fluerescent light is on the top of the acuarium. Im using a 75 watt sun glo (yellow light) for his basking are (rock). that is all. I hope i have the right setting for my baby.

 

[vickson420]

Lighting is fine as is but one question.Are you measuring the temps?What are you using to measure them?

 

[Thorrrrrr]

ya. im using a digital thermometer with the sensor at the end. however....it reads really slow and im not sure if its accurate...i have my basking light around 12 inches and it reads 85 for 30 minute......i put my dragon inside my tank and he opened his mouth...so i raise it up. now its 15 inches away from the basking light and it reads 85....i got that thermometer at the same pet store.

 

[vickson420]

I am thinking you need to get a new digital thermometer.You need one with a probe because I am betting the temps are way past 85F and you dont want to dehydrate them.As I said please make sure it has a probe so you can lay it right on the basking surface,ok?

 

[Thorrrrrr]

got it i bought one with a probe. Thank you sow much for helping me and my dragon. God Bless you all ^_^

 

[MonsterUK]

Hi Guys,

Do we know why the coil is not good for the beardies? It's obvious many experienced beardie owners feel they are not as good as the strip lights.

By my own ommision I am an inexpereienced beardie owner but I do have a Ph.D in chemistry and as far as I can tell the coils have the same spectral output (in terms of strength and wavelength) as the strip lamps. So why would they be bad?

I'm currently building a larger viv for my beardie and my petshop sold me a coil. Now the pet shop I go to is not your regular pet shop. We searched hi and low to find a reputable vendor. They are heavily involved in animal conservation and very knowledgale about reptiles. I can't believe that they would knowlingly sell something that was bad for the beardies (several memebers of staff are beardie owners).

I'm confused as to the best way forward for the lighting in my beardie's new viv. Can anyone tell me why the coils are bad?

Cheers