UVB help for newbie??? idk if my fixture is good pls help

[goomysmom]

so i know the compacted bulbs are no good and i also know that having the bulb on top of the mesh is bad and reducces the rays. when i got my dragon i had a hard time finding a ligt fixture for my 10.0 reptisun bulb. my boyfriend had an idea that i thought was good at the time. he got a black light from walmart that came with a fixture and we have been using that. but it doesnt have any reflection so im wondering if thats bad??? can someone please link me to a better fixture if mine is not good. my dragon is still a juvi and i want to make sure im doing the very best for him. thanks

 

[EllenD]

Okay I just read your other post, and I believe his lighting and temps being wrong is the cause of his lack of appetite, rather than the coccidia or the meds... You're using a blacklight??? Okay, #1 get that out of there, no colored bulbs at all, ever. You said you have a Reptisun 10.0 UVB bulb, but is it the compact, regular lightbulb shape or a long 18" or longer flourescent tube? Bearded dragons are desert reptiles and they have very specific lighting and temperature requirements, and if they are not met then the beardie cannot manufacture vitamin D3, which will make it impossible for him to absorb any nutrition, including calcium. So it doesn't matter whether you give him calcium or multivitamin powders, or if he's getting a proper diet or not if he doesn't have the correct UVB light. And unfortunately there are very few adequate UVB lights out there for beardies, even the ones labeled for bearded dragons. And also, the UVB tube must be unobstructed (depending on what strength tube you get) and must always be mounted within the correct distance from his basking spot or he will not get enough of the UVB light to matter. So if the Reptisun UVB light you bought is a compact version it's not adequate and is causing his issues, along with most likely improper temperatures...What size enclosure do you have?

You must buy either a Reptisun or Arcadia brand UVB tube, as no other UVB tube currently on the market is adequate, not Zilla, not All Living Things, not Reptile One, not Reptech. In the US you'll see Reptisun, in Europe and Australia you'll see Arcadia. And unfortunately you'll also need to buy a matching length flourescent tube fixture for the UVB tube, and the fixture must be rated for the strength you buy. It must also always be a 10.0 and NEVER A 5.0, AS 5.0 TUBES ARE MEANT FOR TROPICAL REPTILES THAT DON'T NEED AS STRONG A UVB LIGHT AS DESERT REPTILES! So in the US you'll need to buy a Reptisun 10.0 UVB tube, most likely either an 18" or a 24", unless you have a very large enclosure that requires a 36" or 48". Forget PetSmart, they don't sell anything but their in-house brand "All Living Things", and they're junk. Petco sells 18" Reptisun 10.0 T8 UVB tubes, and you might have a privately owned pet shop that may sell the better Reptisun 10.0 T5 High-Output UVB tubes and fixtures. The T5 High-Output is better and only needs replaced once a year, and may be mounted on top of a mesh lid (never glass, no UVB penetrates glass at all). The T8 tube CANNOT BE MOUNTED ON TOP OF A MESH LID!!! It blocks up to 50% of the UVB light. So if you buy a 10.0 T8 tube you'll have to mount it inside the enclosure and under the mesh lid, and within 6-8" of his main basking spot. The T8 MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, THE T5 High-Output MUST BE REPLACED ONCE A YEAR. The T5 High-Output must be within 11" of the main basking spot.

 

[kyleena29]

Here is a link for uvb and fixtures. I don't know if you're in the US though. Sadly I would stay away from Reptisun right now. There have been some issues going on with them lately. I don't know what size you need so you can take a look at the other sizes. Just make sure you get the T5 12% high output (HO)

http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/arcadia-d3-12-uvb-t5-bulb-34/
http://www.reptilebasics.com/t5-light-fixtures/t5-single-bulb-light-strip-36/

They seem to be out of the 22" right now. You can get them here, though more expensive.
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-d3-t-5-22-inch-24-watt-12-desert-uvb-the-original-reptile-ho-t5-in-north-america/

You want a bulb 1/2 to 3/4 the length of the cage on the basking side so they have a 0 uvb zone on the other end.

 

[EllenD]

So if you did buy the compact version of the Reptisun 10.0 and not a long, flourescent tube, you must buy the long tube and get it mounted within the correct distance of his main basking spot, and if it's the T8 it cannot be mounted on top of a mesh lid, but rather use 3M Command Hooks or 3M Industrial Strength Velcro (rated to 16 pounds) to mount it inside the enclosure and under the mesh lid. You can buy an 18" or 24" long flourescent tube fixture at Walmart for $10-$12 if you buy the 10.0 T8 UVB tube. If you buy the 10.0 T5 High-Output UVB tube, you must order a matching flourescent tube fixture that is rated for a T5 tube, as not even Lowes or Home Depot stock them. If you buy the Reptisun 10.0 T5 High-Output UVB tube on Amazon.com, after you search for and choose the UVB tube and then scroll down the page, they will show a package deal that is very well priced for the UVB tube and a matching flourescent fixture rated for a T5 tube, and has a reflector built in and no clear, plastic cover on the fixture that covers the tube (remove any clear plastic safety covers on any UVB light fixtures, they block 100% of the UVB light). Or, Reptisun sells a separate T5 hood in different lengths, but it's a lot more expensive than the deals on Amazon.com. Also, beware, Reptisun actually markets a package deal that includes a T5 High-Output UVB tube and fixture, but it's a 5.0 strength and not a 10.0, so it won't work.

After you get the correct UVB tube and fixture mounted correctly, you need ONLY A SINGLE BRIGHT WHITE BASKING BULB!!! No colored bulbs at all!!! You're trying to duplicate natural sunlight as closely as possible, so obviously you don't want any colored bulbs!!!! No specialty reptile basking bulbs are needed at all, just go to Walmart, Lowes, or Home Depot and buy a regular household halogen indoor flood bulb! That's it! Probably 100 watt will be fine, depending on the size of your enclosure. That's it, two lights is all he needs to be healthy and happy. A long 10.0 Reptisun UVB tube and a bright white halogen indoor flood bulb. They must be right alongside each other and over the main basking spot so he gets both at the same time while basking.

 

[EllenD]

I know of ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH REPTISUN UVB TUBES RIGHT NOW...Please post a link to where you heard this. "Reptiglo" are having issues, but certainly not Reptisun...

 

[EllenD]

Now for your 3 important temperature zones inside his enclosure. This is going to ensure that he can properly digest his food, be able to comfortably bask, and be able to cool down whenever he wants to, which is very important. Once you get the Reptisun 10.0 UVB tube mounted correctly and within the correct distance from his main basking spot, and you get the bright white halogen indoor flood bulb mounted right alongside the UVB tube and both over the basking spot, let them on for a couple of hours to get up to temp. You'll need to go to Petco or PetSmart and buy a digital probe thermometer or a temperature gun to measure his temps, no stick-on thermometers, they are not accurate, and are off up to 20 degrees. Plus, you cannot measure the basking spot with one at all. $10 at Petco will buy a good digital probe thermometer. I'd start with a 100 watt halogen indoor flood bulb, measure the 3 temps, and then go from there.

Put the probe on the basking spot, allow it to sit for at least 20-30 minutes, and then read the temperature. Then move the probe to the floor of the enclosure on the Hot Side that surrounds his basking spot, allow the probe to sit for 20-30 minutes, and read the temperature. Then move the probe to the floor of the opposite Cool Side, allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes, then read the temperature. If the 3 temps fall within the correct ranges you're good, if not then you'll need to either raise the basking light up or lower it down, or go to a different wattage bright white halogen indoor flood bulb. Never raise or lower the basking spot without adjusting the UVB tube accordingly, because remember it must be within the correct distance from the basking spot.

 

[AHBD]

The O.P. probably means this long tube fixture that is used for a long tube black light.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/1817-Lava-18-Black-Light/15752103

If so that;s fine, but if you can put aluminum foil behind, it will almost double the uvb output.

 

[Reptilelady]

Here is a link for uvb and fixtures. I don't know if you're in the US though. Sadly I would stay away from Reptisun right now. There have been some issues going on with them lately. I don't know what size you need so you can take a look at the other sizes. Just make sure you get the T5 12% high output (HO)

http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/arcadia-d3-12-uvb-t5-bulb-34/
http://www.reptilebasics.com/t5-light-fixtures/t5-single-bulb-light-strip-36/

They seem to be out of the 22" right now. You can get them here, though more expensive.
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-d3-t-5-22-inch-24-watt-12-desert-uvb-the-original-reptile-ho-t5-in-north-america/

You want a bulb 1/2 to 3/4 the length of the cage on the basking side so they have a 0 uvb zone on the other end.

What is going on with the Reptisun bulbs? I am too needing help with this :lol:

 

[goomysmom]

no omfg im not using a blackliht!!!! just the fixture that the black light came in! im using a long uvb light i think its 18'. and i have a 40 gallon tank. i have photos of his enclosure posted on another post i made. im on mobile right now so idk how to post pictures here. when i was looking for a light fixture i couldnt find ones to be mounted, only the ones that go over the mesh top of the tank. id like to get a reflected mounted fixture

 

[AHBD]

That's what I explained, you're using the Reptisun bulb in the blck light long tube fixture.

And there's nothing wrong with the Reptisun long tube bulbs at all.

Nothing wrong with the Reptiglo 10.0 long tube either. I've used them as well nd a top U.S. breeder [ Tamara from Rainbow bearded dragons,] uses them exclusively.

 

[kyleena29]

People have been getting low readings from the Reptisuns. I myself had several T5 34" HO bulbs brand new getting 1.4 uvi from brand new bulbs at 10 inches. I got arcadias now and I get 4.0 at 10 inches. Apparently they had switched manufacturers a while back. If you want to know more you can join the Reptile Lighting group on facebook. I don't know that I can copy and paste on here since it is a closed group. You can also read Fran Baines comments on the matter as well. I can't speak for the other size tubes or say there is something wrong with all of them but after what I went through I no longer trust them. I am glad that I got a solarmeter though.

 

[charmander16]

In a 40 gallon tank you do NOT need to have a T5 10.0 mounted inside. In fact if you do it will probably be over exposing to UVB.

In a 40 gallon tank typically a T5 10.0 on top of the mesh is just fine.

A T5 5.0 could be mounted inside the tank, or even a T8 10.0.

And getting the blacklight fixture didn't really save you any money. You could have gotten a real 24" ZooMed T5 fixture WITH a bulb for $40 on Amazon and the bulbs cost about $20...

 

[AHBD]

Kyleena can you post that info in a new thread with just that topic ? It could be in a question form , like if anyone here having problems with it.

 

[kyleena29]

Here is a link to an older thread with a few people talking about it earlier this year.
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=231575&p=1785794#p1785794

You can request to join the group on facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReptileLighting/

 

[kingofnobbys]

People have been getting low readings from the Reptisuns. I myself had several T5 34" HO bulbs brand new getting 1.4 uvi from brand new bulbs at 10 inches. I got arcadias now and I get 4.0 at 10 inches. Apparently they had switched manufacturers a while back. If you want to know more you can join the Reptile Lighting group on facebook. I don't know that I can copy and paste on here since it is a closed group. You can also read Fran Baines comments on the matter as well. I can't speak for the other size tubes or say there is something wrong with all of them but after what I went through I no longer trust them. I am glad that I got a solarmeter though.

low readings ?
>>> UVI ?
>>> and under what context (setup) ?
....
Kindly provide some public viewable links to where you read this so those of us who have solarmeters can see and assess these claims for ourselves , and perhaps make our own measurements.
I'd like to see copies of their UVI vs distance charts and microW UVB / sq.cm vs distance charts , sorry closed FB group simply doesn't cut the mustard with me .
Surely if they are sure of their facts they will come out and state publically there is an issue , otherwise it's just an unsubstantiated rumor.

PS : I've not seen anyone else reporting this (and I frequent several herping messageboards) .... nor was it reported until UK UV Report closed the page dealing with this for Updating a few months ago.
If it's not mentioned there , it's essentially "FAKE NEWS".