UVB/UVA/Heat confusion :( pls help

[VinceC]

OK so i having sum troubles understanding this UVB factor. Do all florescent lights produce UVB and UVA rays? I have these 24 Wat Spiro florescent bulbs, will those give my beadie the UVB that he needs? (I'm not talking about the tube ones, these ones fit in normal light bulb sockets and save energy)
If I were to hang one of those with the dish and all.. in the tank for 12 hours a day would that be enugh for him?
This would also mean he would need a heat light to go with that to right?

 

[dobiegil2000]

Ok,

Coil uvb lights (like the one you described) are not recommended for beardies because they do not produce the right uvb rays needed. In fact they can cause many problems including eye problems.

The type of uvb lights recommended are:
1. Reptisun 10 (long tube) which can be purchased at petmountain.com. If you buy this one, you will need another light (such as a regular white light bulb used for lamps) to provide heat.

2. Mercury Vapor Bulbs (Megarays and T-Rex UV Heat) are another option if your enclosure is big enough (40 gallons I think). These bulbs last a year and provide excellent uvb and uva rays which are needed for reptiles. These bulbs produce heat along with the uvb rays so you only need one bulb (unless you enclosure is not hot enough.)

I use Mercury Vapor Bulbs (MVBs for short) and wouldn't use anything else. Remember you want your basking spot to be around 105 and the cool side around 75 or so (not for sure on that one).

Hope it helps.
Robin

 

[LJean]

No, regular light bulbs, flourescent or not, do not produce the UVb you will need.

Robin posted the best ones to get.

 

[VinceC]

ok so i went by the pet store and didn't find the ones you stated I did find: (exo-terra / Repti Glow 10. UVb 15w) (tube). Is this a good one? If it is i will buy that one and put a separate 50w Basking light from zoo med, which they did have. Pls let me know if im on the right track so i can head out and grab it thank alot guys

 

[Neromom39]

Please do NOT use a Repti-Glo for your beardie. These can and probably will cause seriuos problems. They should be taken off the market, but as long as people keep buying them, I guess they will stay around.

If you use the link referenced earlier in the thread for Pet Mountain, you can find any of the bulbs recommended and for much cheaper than you could purchase them for in a pet store.

Once again, please resist the Repti-Glo.. I would hate for you to have to post another thread seeking advice to reverse the damage.

 

[VinceC]

see, i knew asking befor impulse buying would be a good idea 8) , i not able to buy off the web but im going to run around to a few pet stores till i find the one I need Is there any other ones I sould be forewarned about? while i continue my search?

Again i really appreciate the help guys

 

[h2simms]

COIL BULBS ARE FINE USE THEM THEY CAN HURT THEM!!!!!!!!

 

[Neromom39]

COIL BULBS ARE FINE USE THEM THEY CAN HURT THEM!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure what this is about. I am hoping that h2simms meant to type that you should not use them. They can be very harmful for your beardie. An MVB bulb is great if you have a 40+ gallon enclosure. They are a bit more expensive due to the fact that they are an all in one bulb. However they do last longer that regular flourescent bulbs so that may offset the cost a bit.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello,

Yes....do listen to the other posters. DO NOT GET THE COIL BULBS !!
Unfortunately h2simms is trying to sabotage everything being said on this site.

Dawn

 

[ikkie78]

COIL BULBS ARE FINE USE THEM THEY CAN HURT THEM!!!!!!!!

h2simms....if you are on here just to start controversy and stir up arguments then please just don't come on here anymore. This is a great community of people who are trying to help each other and make the lives of their reptiles as good as possible. Every post you make is the exact opposite of what is recommended and it seems to be with the intent to start an argument. You have referred to people on here as "stupid people trying to spread our retarded opinions" and its really not needed and, is in fact, extremely rude. So please stop and grow up a little bit! That is not meant to be rude but trying to sabotage a group who is trying to help people and their reptiles is childish and actually quite pathetic. I'm sorry if this post shouldn't have been made but I was just getting a little irritated with certain posts and have noticed some others are as well. I just don't want people to listen to posts that give horrible information for the purpose of inciting an argument and then take the bad advise not knowing any better.

Thank you.