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#2132809

UROKEEPER
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China Bulbs

some China Bulbs on the market are compact fluorescents or tubes and some have been blinding reptiles because they are made so cheaply and the lux or "brightness" of these are so low that the animal is fooled to open their eyes instead of close them 1/4-1/2 way like in the wild under full sun.

many of these China Bulbs have short wavelength uv-b (more damaging to eyes and skin) and some have uv-c which kills all living cells.some are not even in the correct wavelength for d3 production .

the problem is some of these China Cf’s and tubes have had UVI readings on a 6.5 solarmeter of 20-30 and the uv-b output on a 6.2 solarmeter seems normal. This fooled many keepers and reptiles. the reptiles would open their eyes to the short wavelengths and strong UVI and it cause blindness .

At least if you use a Mega Ray they are usually 12000-17000 lux for the MVB’s and 70,000 lux for the MH’s and the eyes cannot be fooled. They will close them half way just as they would in the wild to protect their eyes. Most uv-b cf’s are 13 and 26 watts with very weak lux (even large tubes have weak lux) and some of the china mvb’s are no good also and some are dangerous and never tested .

I just want to warn people again to stay away from these. There are a few tubes that are decent but only a few. again if you purchase a Mega Ray from ReptileUv they are by far the best and safest choice for these animals and are actually cheaper and last the longest. I still cannot fathom why people purchase expensive fixtures and bulbs only to have to replace them after a few months and maybe even endanger their animals. Some are worthless right out of the box.

03/14/10 04:20pm

#2132810

UROKEEPER
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Message To: UROKEEPER In reference to Message Id: 2132809

China Bulbs

Just because you can walk down the street and grab a cheaply made bulb with expensive looking packaging at a petshop doesn’t make it good. Sure it’s convenient...you don’t have to order online, however you are risking the health of your loved pet. I would recommend everyone purchase bulbs from Bob at www.reptileuv.com. I also recommend both meters they sell.

03/14/10 04:25pm

#2132814

Waterflea
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Message To: UROKEEPER In reference to Message Id: 2132810

China Bulbs

Quote:
China bulbs

I saw the topic and I thought for a moment they were bulbs made of porcelain (as in China plates, China cups, etc)!

Quote:
I would recommend everyone purchase bulbs from Bob at www.reptileuv.com

I can heartily second this. I’ve had good experiences with both the company and the bulbs.

03/14/10 04:44pm

#2132817

UROKEEPER
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Message To: Waterflea In reference to Message Id: 2132814

China Bulbs

LOL Waterflea, maybe I should have said "Chinese manufactured UVB emitting bulbs"

there maybe UK,Canadian,USA bulbs that are dangerous too but they make them so cheap in China so thats where most every uvb bulb in petshops are from. There are a few German made fluorescent that are "okay" but again they are more expensive and may have to be replaced more often. I wouldn’t trust any bulb from any country unless I got Mega Rays from Bob. Even though I have two meters they will not tell me wavelengths and I know Mega Ray and Westron reptile MVB bulbs are all in the 295-300nm range

03/14/10 04:56pm