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#2249825 Deidrea View Profile	UVB Question Would 2 Repti-Sun 5.0 UVB compact flourescent lights be comparable (as far as the amount of UVB projected) to one 18" tube in a 29 gallon tank? I know the tubes are recommended because they provide more coverage....but curious as to whether or not two compacts would provide roughly the same amount? The top to my tank only has ballasts for the compact type bulbs. I have an additional ballast for the 18" tube, but the aesthetics are not as nice. I want to do whatever it takes to provide them with the best exposure, but if the coverage would be roughly the same, I prefer the looks of the top vs. the exposed tube and ballast. This particular top only partially covers the tank so I also use a heat resistant mesh screen. Thanks for any info/opinions.
01/05/12  04:17pm
#2249826 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Deidrea   In reference to Message Id: 2249825  UVB Question go with a stronger 10.0 espicially if you have screening on top as up to 50% of the UVB & heat are deflected due to "REFLECTION" & the tighter(smaller) the mesh the greater the reflection
01/05/12  04:20pm
#2249900 Atrax27407 View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2249826  UVB Question A 10.0 UVB should ONLY be used with desert reptiles. That is what it was designed for anyway. Heat and light are not "reflected" by a screen mesh. In fact, UVB lights don’t supply an adequate amount of heat but incandescent lights do supply UVA (heat) and light. A fluorescent tube will supply UVB over a wider area. Compact UVB bulbs only cover a relatively small area and you would have to use several to get the same coverage as a single UVB tube. Glass or Plexi-glass will reflect 90+% of UVB radiation and thus a UVB light should never be placed on the side of an enclosure or over a glass top.
01/05/12  11:17pm
#2249945 Deidrea View Profile	Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2249900  UVB Question Atrax, I have looked at your encosures, but I am unable to tell how your UVB tube is set up. Is it installed in a terrarium top (and if so, please what kind ?) or is yours setting/ suspended on top of the enclosure in an ordinary ballast?
01/06/12  08:46am
#2249947 Deidrea View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2249826  UVB Question Rokdog, thanks for your opinion. I appreciate you taking the time to respond :)
01/06/12  08:49am
#2249999 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2249900  UVB Question atrax are you off your meds again? have you ever heard of an MVB? they get really hot & can be used as a enclosure heat source though they are not recommended to be placed on top of a screen for due to "reflection" they tend to run hot & the MVB service life is thus reduced... I use 10.0’s or MVB’s with all my reptiles as the 5.0 are basically a visible light source & ineffective after 8inches from the reptile(espicially if they are on top of a fine mesh screen)..... reflection "lower uvb levels, can be seen on a cloudy day as UVB levels are greatly reduced do to reflection as compared to taking a reading in the exact same spot, time of day on a sunny day & many UVB manufacturers recommend that if your lighting fixtures are going to be placed upon a screen mesh that one use the 10.0 instead of a 5.0 Link
01/06/12  02:35pm
#2250025 Deidrea View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2249999  UVB Question Rokdog, thanks for posting the link. I do aplogize if my question has created conflict. I appreciate everyone’s input, however varied it may be.
01/06/12  05:06pm
#2250028 Atrax27407 View Profile	Message To: Deidrea   In reference to Message Id: 2250025  UVB Question Rokdog, Do what you want to do. I hope your reptiles survive
01/06/12  05:29pm
#2250032 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2250028  UVB Question they don’t just survive they thrive as my smallest custom enclosure is 6’H X 4’W X 2’D and all my lighting is contained within the enclosure not placed ontop of any screening of any sort thus offering a much more natural habitat allowing my reptiles to thermoregulate, photoregulate much more naturally as to having choices/options as to UVB/UVA lighting, heating & differing intensities.....as well as plenty of space to seek shelter if they so chose. Deidra, no conflict just as discussion as to perhaps too "enlighten" some.....
01/06/12  06:52pm
#2250155 Dino Dan View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2250032  UVB Question i have to agree with atrax this time because she went to collage and is a high expert. i am petty sure that 10.0 is for dessert animals. Deidrea if i was you i would agree with atrax. Not to be mean or anythin but rokdog do some reserch before you kill an incennt anole. sorry if there is any spelling wrong.
01/07/12  04:16pm
#2250175 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Dino Dan   In reference to Message Id: 2250155  UVB Question Dino Dan, here is some research for you, as perhaps you may want to read the description as to how a Reptisun 10.0 is recommended to be used......duh Dino Dan & just for your info double D, I have the SolarMeter 6.5 & 6.2 and am able to measure the UVB output of these bulbs & thru screening it is greatly reduced due to reflection & filtering Solarmeter 6.5 SolarMeter 6.2
01/07/12  08:56pm
#2251120 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2250175  UVB Question a good explanation as why to use a 10.0 instead of a 5.0 can be found here Link but if you don’t want to give your reptile an environment as close to nature as you can...... then thats on you
01/15/12  11:48am
#2251134 Atrax27407 View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2251120  UVB Question Unless you have an extremely tight mesh on your screen top, a 5.0 is adequate at a distance of 6-12". I’ve not had a problem in the years since they first came out. Neither have my University collegues.
01/15/12  01:06pm
#2251138 Atrax27407 View Profile	Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2251134  UVB Question The main substantive difference between the 5.0 and 10.0 is that a 10.0 will penetrate 20" into and enclosure while a 5.0 is limiyted to 12" of UVB penetration. This from the ZooMed web site. Zoomed Labs
01/15/12  01:18pm
#2251142 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2251138  UVB Question what the lab says, & what actually is taking place with the bulbs in the field is 2 different things. Thats why you have UVB Meters to test the UVB levels. Perhaps some UVB is penetrating 12"s with a 5.0 but after 8"’s the UVB level is so low that it is generally uselss. Perhaps, invest in some meters as then you will be enlightened In addition, not all bulbs are exact clones of another & the performance level between 2 bulbs made by the same manufacturer can be quite different. another reason to have meters so as to determine proper placement distances with-in the enclosure,,,,
01/15/12  02:12pm
#2251145 Atrax27407 View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2251142  UVB Question I know what it going on, I check regularly at the basking areas not at the bottom of the enclosure.
01/15/12  02:29pm
#2251312 Dino Dan View Profile	Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2251145  UVB Question rokdog i dont care if you want to kill your pet but some people like to have a living animal i use a 5.0 i watch my anoles most of the time bask.
01/16/12  10:08pm
#2251329 Rokdog View Profile	Message To: Dino Dan   In reference to Message Id: 2251312  UVB Question nothing personal.... but you don’t strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed
01/16/12  11:21pm
#2251387 Dino Dan View Profile	Message To: Rokdog   In reference to Message Id: 2251329  UVB Question Rokdog go eat one of your pets or somthing you sick dink. i am done with this thread.
01/17/12  03:14pm
#2252986 Myke66 View Profile	Message To: Dino Dan   In reference to Message Id: 2251387  UVB Question Quote: Rokdog go eat one of your pets or somthing you sick dink. i am done with this thread. Instead of ripping on Rokdog, maybe you should listen to what they are saying. They aren’t even directly refuting what Atrax is saying, merely trying to stress that sometimes in PRACTICE, the 5.0’s will not give as much as the box may claim. Also, its pretty silly to argue when they are talking from years of experience, obviously they aren’t killing their pets, or they wouldnt be using/recommending 10’s. The best practice is to get a UVB meter and measure your setup specifically, because no one can tell you exactly what is going on in YOUR setup.
01/27/12  03:01pm

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