What's wrong with coil bulbs?

[Karnagia]

Rufus' UVB bulb is a ReptiSun 10.0 coil style. I read somewhere else on the forums that coil style bulbs are 'no good'. Why is this?
I feel like everytime I upgrade or try to improve Rufus' conditions I'm doing it wrong.

 

[peera]

Coil style bulbs give off unreliable amounts of UVB and can injure their eyes. I know it can be frustrating, but just keep reading and asking questions and the hard part will be over soon!

 

[Catalyst]

It can be hard getting everything right for our dragons - especially since even the good bulbs (i.e. reptisun 10.0) come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some of which are no good (i.e. coil bulbs). The problem with the compacts, as noted above, is that their UVB output is unreliable and they can experience a dangerously high initial burn in period followed by a quick decline in UVB output so that after a reletively short time they're useless for your dragon. Some coil UVB bulbs also cause eye problems. It's safest to stick with the tried and tested straight flourescent tube bulbs or go with one of the good mercury vapor bulbs (megarays and the t-rex active heat flood bulb).

 

[Karnagia]

Where do you all buy your bulbs? I bought the coil style at Petsmart and my store didn't have the tubes. I'm using 2 dome-style lamps similar to this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+6028+6513&pcatid=6513. One has the ReptiSun 10.0 and the other has a basking light.

I suppose if you don't mind you could help me with the new setup I'm creating? Help me spend as least money as possible since obviously I'm not doing it right with my own research. I'm planning to purchase a 55+ gal tank and I'd 'like' to find a hood to buy the long tube lights (would a standard aquarium be sufficient for this?). I'm also going to be buying a temp gun.

I plan on putting down one piece of tile for an eating area and then I'd like one half to be playsand & the other will be reptile carpet.

Thank you

 

[beardie parents]

What size of tank do you have? If you have a 40 breeder tank or larger, and that specific dome (btw, I found a dome just exactly like that from Home Depot for less than that place) you can get either the Mega Ray or T-rex. They last for one year but the 100 watt mega ray must be at least 12 inches from your beardies basking spot. The 160 watt mega ray must be 18 inches from the basking spot. If you have the 40 tank you can't use anything higher than the 100 watt as the 160 puts out too much heat and uvb for that size tank. If you have any tank smaller than the 40 breeder, the MVB's won't work.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Here is a great report on the particular coil/compact light you are using right now. It is an extremely hazardous light. It emits low wavelength UVB which is very close to UVC emissions. These particular lights use a photo therapy phosphor which is an incorrect mixture or coating on the bulb which allows the UVB to be so hazardous. These lights are also very glaring on their eyes, too.
The quality of UVB is very poor, as well. The low wavelength UVB lighting is not sufficient enough to promote D3 synthesis & allow proper calcium absorption to help keep their bones strong.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

Tracie

 

[Karnagia]

Tracie, that was a very interesting read - thank you so much for posting it. Could you recommend where to purchase suitable bulbs? I'd like to purchase a MVB next week when I set up the new tank - but for now a tube UVB light would suffice.

 

[diamc]

Hi, the very best MVB's you can get are the Megaray (which you can get here but on back order now) http://www.reptileuv.com