UVB issues

[jennyquenn]

Hello everyone..having some UVB issues and could use your help. I had all my t8 bulbs mounted on the inside. I recently got the 6.2 solar meter and checked all the bulbs. NO ONE was above 50?? I bought new fixtures with t5 bulbs (t5 would not fit in the previous fixtures)and put them on the screen. Tested again and still lower 50 range. WTH?? I thought the t5 were supposed to be strong enough that they could be on the screen top?

 

[Rubble1212]

Gosh they should be stronger than that? Was the meter sent with a calibration certificate? What distance is the the tube from the basking surface? Even on top of screen I would guess at 9-12 inches it would be closer to 150idh?

 

[Rubble1212]

150ish

 

[Rubble1212]

What fixtures did you buy? Most of them come with some mounting brackets to screw into the ceiling of your enclosure that’s what I do with mine.

 

[jennyquenn]

Gosh they should be stronger than that? Was the meter sent with a calibration certificate? What distance is the the tube from the basking surface? Even on top of screen I would guess at 9-12 inches it would be closer to 150idh?

Yes, the meter came with a certificate. I was literally 3-4 inches below light before I could get a 100 reading or above. Was thinking maybe I should get the newer version solar meter 6.5? Oddly enough my baby dragon has a mercury vapor bulb and it registered 110 through the screen top..can't figure this one out.

 

[Rubble1212]

What brand t5 are using? At 3-4 inches a Arcadia or reptisun should be really high probably 300-400 and 6.2 is fine if it reads 110 for the MVB what brand of MVB are you using?

 

[Rubble1212]

I don’t think a 6.5 would be any better or worse if the tubes are producing really low amounts of uvb it would just measure UVI. Your meter measuring higher uvb for the MVB tells me it’s working just like it should be if it’s measuring lower readings for the t5’s. Not exactly sure?

 

[jennyquenn]

150ish

I just had a "duh" moment. On Amazon there is a solarmeter 6.2 and a solarmeter 6.2R (reptile). I wonder if it is different? I would think a reading is a reading regardless but I'm going to check into this.

 

[jennyquenn]

What brand t5 are using? At 3-4 inches a Arcadia or reptisun should be really high probably 300-400 and 6.2 is fine if it reads 110 for the MVB what brand of MVB are you using?

Reptizoo t5, and reptizoo MVB

 

[KarrieRee]

This is what is shown or recommended on this site for solar meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076GXJFJG

 

[Rubble1212]

No one is just branded with a reptile I believe but they should read the same. Would you be willing to order an Arcadia t5 bulb instead of the reptizoo? I don’t think they are the best of quality uvb.

Arcadia D3 12% UVB T8 Bulb - 24"

 

[Rubble1212]

Arcadia D3+ T5 Bulb- 22"

Sorry that first one was a t8 not a t5

 

[Rubble1212]

The 6.2 is fine to use you just want about 150-200 micro watts at the basking area

 

[jennyquenn]

The 6.2 is fine to use you just want about 150-200 micro watts at the basking area

I think I will return the reptizoo t5 and go with the arcadia, thanks for your help

 

[Rubble1212]

No worries let me know when you get and test it out I’m curious to see what your meter reads.