Lighting

GP212 · 04-19-04, 09:16 PM

Believe it or not I am still not sure about lighting.
This is what I am thinkin;
I am planning on not using a flourescent UVB bulbs but just a nomal 3 or 4 foot for lighting. For UVB I was looking at the Powersun MVB basking lamps for each end of the tank. The Tank is 6 feet long.
Please give me your opinions.
I can't believe the prices on these bulbs!

Thanks!!!!
Glenn

Bartman · 04-19-04, 09:18 PM

Ive never heard of the one for uvb but as long as it gives it out and you have a heat lamp and that..unless its two in one..then thats really all you need...and the one for lighting will just make it brighter...dont see a problem..

Pia · 04-20-04, 02:10 AM

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Powersun bulbs. I have seen heat bulbs that say that they provide UVB, but the amount is so small that it wouldn't be of any benefit. Regular "household" fluourescent bulbs are not suitable for sun worshiping lizards such as bearded dragons because although they provide light, again, they don't provide sufficient amounts of UVB. The ones you see in hardware stores labeled "for use with fish and reptiles" are also unsuitable for the same reason. The only fluorescent bulbs I would use are the ones available only at pet stores or on line pet suppliers. Look for ones that have 8% UVB. They are more expensive but are necessary to keep your pet healthy. Without proper UVB lighting, it won't be able to manufacture vitamin D3 which is needed to absorb calcium. Calcium deficiency leads to health problems like shakes and tremors and soft, easily broken bones. A four ft. bulb is long enough, just make sure it is positioned over/beside the basking area and that the basking area is within 12 inches of the light. Any farther down and the UVB rays become much weaker and therefore, less effective. Also, make sure one end of the tank is cooler than the other so the beardie can cool down as needed. All this stuff can be a little overwhelming at first, especially when you run into different opinions, but don't be daunted, you're doing a great job with your research! Also, I think you mentioned earlier that you have ordered The Bearded Dragon Manual, it's a great book and I think you'll find it very helpful. :-)

GP212 · 04-20-04, 10:04 AM

So, should I go with the flourescent to get my UVB rays? In one of the other forums Linds said that flourescent are a waste of time. Well, she didn't exactly say that, but she said that these Powersun baskin lamps are the way to go. The Flouescent would probably be cheaper.
How long do the normal basking bulbs last?

tHeGiNo · 04-20-04, 10:13 AM

The powersun UV bulbs are great. I think Linds might have meant regular fluorescents are a waste of time, possibly. However, if your using the powersun, you will definitely want to put some normal fluorescents to better light the cage. This basking lamp in particular is recommended to be replaced after 10,000 hours, or up to two years. KEep in mind this bulb can get quite hot, and at even 15 inches above a basking spot, it makes temperatures around 110 F. It is not to be used in small enclosures.

I forgot to mention - although the fluorescent UVB/UVA bulbs may be cheaper, they do not produce a great deal of UVB rays, and they have to be replaced every six months maximum. I mount all my UVB bulbs inside the cage, so that the light is not filtered by screen, glass, or whatever the case may be.

Leviathan · 04-20-04, 10:29 AM

If you want something that will last a long time I would go with a flourescent strip and a ceramic bulb. For a 100 gallon tank you are also going to need a large piece of wood for your beardie to climb. Something that will put him no less than 1 foot below the flourescent light. Ceramics are expensive, but I believe the 150 watts last for up to 5 years!!! Where as your Zoo-med bulbs and that can sometimes blow out in weeks to months. I NEVER use bulbs anymore! For heat anyways. A Flourescent tube will give off light for a couple years but unfortunatley has to be changed once a year because the UVB only lasts that long.
This is how i had my beardie set up...

One end of the tank I had a large piece of would that was about 8 inches from the screen top. Above that I had a 3 foot flourescent fixture (fixture cost I think $20 from Rona) In that I used a Exo-Terra 8.0 bulb (8.0 means it gives off 8% UVB, a 5.0 would give off 5% and so on... anyone correct me if I'm wrong)(I think those cost about $20 as well). Then I use a ceramic clamp lamp fixture (another $20) with a 150 watt ceramic bulb inside (about $56). My tank was only a 50 gallon so you might need another ceramic on the other side. Other than that you can turn them off at night if it stays around 75 degrees Farenheit in the room he/she is in.

That's all i got
Alecia

tHeGiNo · 04-20-04, 10:44 AM

Quote:

A Flourescent tube will give off light for a couple years but unfortunatley has to be changed once a year because the UVB only lasts that long.

Correction - UVB/UVA bulbs should be replaced every 6 months, not every year. Also, there is a BIG difference between the quality of your regular Exoterra bulb to this Powersun.

Quote:

In that I used a Exo-Terra 8.0 bulb (8.0 means it gives off 8% UVB, a 5.0 would give off 5% and so on... anyone correct me if I'm wrong)(

I am not quite sure if thats what the numbers mean, but I know that it is often measured by uW/cm2. Then you have to keep in mind what is filtered out with these fluorescents. Glass filters out 95 percent of all UVB rays, whereas aluminum screen filters out approximately 30 percent. The lizard should be able to bask no more then 10 inches from the UVB source.

Ceramic bulbs are great, but I do not like them as they do not produce light.

GP212 · 04-20-04, 08:16 PM

The web sit for the Powersun UVB heat lamps is
www.zoomed.com
I meant to say that before. I got the site off the package when I was lookin at the pet store.

doenoe · 04-21-04, 03:16 AM

I got a little question about the powersun bulb. Do they have to hang straight down or can you hang them in an angle? I heard somewhere that you have to hang them straight down, but im not so sure what kind of lamp they were talking about anymore.
Thanks in advance
Greetz Daan

sevenofthorns · 04-21-04, 07:10 AM

They should hang straight down and not on an angle.

ZooMed also guarantees their bulbs for one year, so if it goes dead in that time you just ship it back to them and they send you a replacement for free.

Probably the best all in one bulb out there. High UV output and great amounts of heat, all with only one bulb.

drewlowe · 04-21-04, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tHeGiNo
Correction - UVB/UVA bulbs should be replaced every 6 months, not every year. Also, there is a BIG difference between the quality of your regular Exoterra bulb to this Powersun.

Actually the UVB flouresents are supposed to be replaced every 6 month to a 1 year but there are exceptions to every rule. IF you have a UVB tester you can test if the UVB rays are still at an accepable level. I don't have a tester but my vet does so i take my UVB bulbs into him to get tested, I've had 1 bulb loose UVB in 3 months and i have one that lasted over 1 1/2 years and still going. I forgot the name of the site you can purchase the testers it's "solar" something, but they run about 160 USD.

Jamie

drewlowe · 04-21-04, 09:47 AM

Just remembered the name of the site you can purchase UVB meters from.

www.solarmeter.com My vet has the one that's 159.00, I keep saying i plan on getting one and i really do, it's just other little toys like this i want, like a pinkie pump and other things, so i keep pushing it off. Guess it's a good thing my vet has one.

Jamie

Dani33 · 04-21-04, 09:58 AM

Here's a link that shows uva and uvb output. The powersun mercury vapour bulbs are definately the best. I hear that the 100 watt gives out heat like a 60 watt bulb. I am awaiting my first but can let you know about heat output. The flourescent uv bulbs are crap by comparison.
http://russiantortoise.org/uvb.htm

Edit: I just spoke to a customer service rep at zoomed. The powersun bulbs have to be mounted vertically in a fixed position. If you move them ie: on and off of a screen top, they'll eventually break.

GP212 · 04-21-04, 10:26 AM

Thats great!! Thanks Dani33!!!

GP212 · 04-21-04, 10:44 AM

So after seeing the different uv outputs, how much does a BD need?? If "everyone" is using the flourescent tubes then not much from what I see.I still haven't bought anything so I want to get the right ones. Plus I probably will need twoi so $$$$.
Can they get TOO much uvb?
Whats the uva for? Do they need it?

Thanks!!