Reptisun 5.0 coil bulbs? (zoo med)

Hello,

From what I have read there has been quite some controversy over the repti-sun 5.0 coil bulbs.

So, what I want to know is are they safe for chams? If not, what is the best bulb to use for UVB? Also, what is the best to use for heat bulb?


Thanks,

Adam

adamkwas said:

Hello,

From what I have read there has been quite some controversy over the repti-sun 5.0 coil bulbs.

So, what I want to know is are they safe for chams? If not, what is the best bulb to use for UVB? Also, what is the best to use for heat bulb?


Thanks,

Adam

Click to expand...

Yes, the coiled UV bulbs cause blindness and a great deal of pain in chameleons and many other reptiles.

the best UVB bulbs for chameleons are the reptisun 5.0 tube lights(not coiled) lllreptile.com has them very cheap compared to most petshops.

As for the heat bulb you can use a regular house bulb. You'll have to play around with wattage to figure out which you need for the correct temps for your particular chameleon.

Hope this helps,
-Andrea

Vindicate: Nailed it!:]

i bought the Tube because many people recommended it. when i went to petco they were recommending me the coiled, do not listen to them if any pet store recommends you that one! i am using an ordinary light bulb from the house for heating. hmm i have a question to add to this.

do COILED house light bulbs do ok for heating source for a cham.? or do they too cause issues?

JuAPple said:

do COILED house light bulbs do ok for heating source for a cham.? or do they too cause issues?

Click to expand...

No, they don't.
The problem with the compact UV bulbs is not that they are coiled but that they are too intense. A heat bulb coiled or not shouldn't do any harm because it's only there to give off heat. Stick with a low wattage and all should be fine.

-Andrea

They don't do what? cause issues or don't do ok for heating source? im confused.

They don't cause problems. A coiled heat bulb is fine. A coiled UVB bulb is harmful.

Ok, thanks guys.

Thanks! I feel safe using teh coiled house bulb now :]

Normal coiled UV bulbs from hardware stores actually emit some UVB,
about 40 or so a few inches away.

The zoo-med ones emit about 400. I was surprised that they emit so much,
I measured a 10.0 myself and the reading was 428 right next to the bulb,
and over 200 a few inches away.

I actually rescued a desert collared lizard that the guy was using the 10.0 bulb
on, and she has her eyes closed 90% of the day, and only opens them to
find some food during feeding.

She is just under a normal incandescent heat bulb now and seems to be
opening her eyes more.

Coiled or tube, florescents dont emit much heat. A regular household tungsten incandescent bulb of an appropriate wattage is the way to go for the heat bulb.