6500K grow light questions!

[KatiLemons]

I am contemplating on getting a 6500k grow light for my plants in the cages but I dont know if I should get a tube or a compact bulb? Also is there anything else I should be looking for in the lights. I have also seen that people have 'speculated' that they cause eye problems? I would like to hear anyones feedback or experiences with using a grow light!

 

[phase]

i am also interested in knowing this info.

 

[imcurt]

I use 1 reotisun 5.0 and 1 6500k plant bulb april-sept the winter months I use dual 5.0 reptisuns.and a 60 watt basking bulb year round. Allways linular bulb. never compacts!!! hope this helps

 

[KatiLemons]

I use 1 reotisun 5.0 and 1 6500k plant bulb april-sept the winter months I use dual 5.0 reptisuns.and a 60 watt basking bulb year round. Allways linular bulb. never compacts!!! hope this helps

Why not a compact? So you basically only use the grow for summer months and then for winter months you use a 60 watt bulb? Or you use a 60 watt along all year round and then add the grow with the reptisun 5.0? where do you find a hood and grow light at. All the 6500k bulbs are over 18" and none come with hoods unless your paying 300.00 bucks!

 

[Chris Anderson]

Some compact fluorescent (CF) UVB bulbs were associated with eye issues a few years ago. Even though the formula on those brands that were involved has changed, it has left a black eye for all CF bulbs (UVB and non-UVB alike it seems) because people don't take the time to actually understand what the issue was. A CF 6500K bulb will work fine, I have them on 25 enclosures without a problem. As for CF UVB bulbs, it depends on your setup and the species you are working with. More information can be found here: http://www.chameleonnews.com/10JulWeldon.html

Chris

 

[clarkrw3]

Some compact fluorescent (CF) UVB bulbs were associated with eye issues a few years ago. Even though the formula on those brands that were involved has changed, it has left a black eye for all CF bulbs (UVB and non-UVB alike it seems) because people don't take the time to actually understand what the issue was. A CF 6500K bulb will work fine, I have them on 25 enclosures without a problem. As for CF UVB bulbs, it depends on your setup and the species you are working with. More information can be found here: http://www.chameleonnews.com/10JulWeldon.html

Chris

Thanks Chris. BTW my understanding was that the reason they were causing eye problems was because of spikes in light within the visible spectrum. Is that correct? To my understanding some of the web pages that were up about this have since been taken down. The reason for concern is some Aquarium grow lights have spikes in visible light and without know what spikes were causing issues it's hard to know which grow lights are safe.

 

[Chris Anderson]

The report on the issue is available here: http://uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

Chris

 

[bigben2057]

I belive they fixed this prob in the compact. My jackson loves his compact bulb and so dose my hibiscus plant its blooming.

 

[KatiLemons]

Thanks Chris!!!

 

[clarkrw3]

The report on the issue is available here: http://uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

Chris

Thanks Chris!!!

 

[bigben2057]

The report is 3 years old I believe they recalled the afftected bulbs and fixed the prob.

 

[clarkrw3]

The report is 3 years old I believe they recalled the afftected bulbs and fixed the prob.

You are right that they fixed the problem. But, what we are interested in is WHY these bulbs caused problems. For those of us that would like to use grow lights in our cages as well as basking and UVB we would really like to make sure that what caused a problem in these older CFL bulbs will not be a problem all over again when looking at different types and brands of 6500k grow lights. Trying to go beyond don't use this bulb because it's bad, to understand what it was that was problematic and make sure we don't have these issues again

 

[Chris Anderson]

You are right that they fixed the problem. But, what we are interested in is WHY these bulbs caused problems. For those of us that would like to use grow lights in our cages as well as basking and UVB we would really like to make sure that what caused a problem in these older CFL bulbs will not be a problem all over again when looking at different types and brands of 6500k grow lights. Trying to go beyond don't use this bulb because it's bad, to understand what it was that was problematic and make sure we don't have these issues again

Well said! Understanding why, not just that it was fixed, is a great asset.

Chris

 

[sandrachameleon]

I am contemplating on getting a 6500k grow light for my plants in the cages but I dont know if I should get a tube or a compact bulb? Also is there anything else I should be looking for in the lights. I have also seen that people have 'speculated' that they cause eye problems? I would like to hear anyones feedback or experiences with using a grow light!

I've used both linear tubes and CFL grow lights without issue. Though I should admit I only use them for about 4 months at a time (winter, when the basking and UVB light cycle is shorter) and on a separate timer such that they are only one for 2 hours mid-day. This is not because I fear for my chameleons eyes, but rather because I use primarily pothos plants which dont require grow lights at all really.

 

[KatiLemons]

I went out and bought a CFL 6500k grow light today! They were around 6 bucks for 2! I thought it was a pretty good deal. Hopefully that will help with my hibiscus. It needs some doctoring!

 

[bigben2057]

hope it dose well