compact UVB bulb or linear bulb??

[dreamforthedead]

I'm going to buy a new canopy this week, i've been using a 5.0 UVB compact its in a single canopy, the viv is 4ft high. I've been told i should buy a double canopy and put two 5.0 UVB bulbs in but i think i should have a triple one. Anyway i've just found out the one im using is dangerous and should stop, is that true? Im so confused as the lady in the pet shop who has been keeping chams for years (healthy ones may i add) told me to buy the compact UVB. But on here i've been told its no good. If the compact 1s were so dangerous then surely they would of been banned by now?? Would like every1 else's thoughts before i go out and buy new UVB. If it is ok to use a canopy what size and what bulbs?? I don't want my cham to get ill.

 

[Warrix642]

I have had eye problems in a young veiled from using a compact uvb, I switched to the 24" strip and I've never had a problem again. I would just play it safe and get the long tube uvb.

 

[steviejcsc]

Agreed, tube light!

 

[dreamforthedead]

What tubes should i get then? I've had no problems with my cham using the compact, i've had her since she was 9weeks old and she's nearly 6months old now.

 

[ghettomike]

i started out with a canopy with 2 exoterra 5.0 cfls but switched over to a linear bulb after about 3 months because of what i read on here. I figured better safe than sorry even though im out like $100.

 

[Rosie42892]

Many members have had issues health wise when using the compact bulb. Better to be safe and go for the linear.

 

[chams1]

Many members have had issues health wise when using the compact bulb. Better to be safe and go for the linear.

I had 2 perfectly healthy breeding males that went blind and had other health complications from that due to the compact bulbs. That was back when they first came out. They "say" the problems have been corrected, but I just wouldn't take any chances. You put so much time, energy and $$ into them, it would be a shame to have a serious issue just because you took a chance. It's not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[Dave Weldon]

What tubes should i get then?...

Howdy Ashleigh,

Yes, this subject is still a bit confusing . This is partly due to the fact that some UVB CFL supplier's lines that were dangerous last year are not dangerous now (when positioned properly) and other supplier's lines that were not so much of an issue a year ago are now at issue. The Reptisun 10.0 CFLs have solved their issues with "non-terrestrial UVB spectral content" while it appears that Exo-Terra may have changed suppliers and their ReptiGlo 26W 10.0 lamp's output has changed quite a bit. ExoTerra has changed suppliers of their Solar Glo mercury vapor lamps too. The UVB output is now very low . Just when you thought that you had your setup tuned for UVB and heat levels, along comes changes like these that leaves keepers in the dark again .

The bottom line is that you just about can't go wrong with a Reptisun 5.0 linear tube of whatever length is easy to find a fixture for. I'd suggest sticking with either 18" or 48" since these fixtures seem to be readily available.

 

[Cham101]

linear is all I use

I will not try a CF bulb. not worth the risk to me.. I only use the linear fluorescents but I have veileds and I use the 10.0 reptisun.. my chams love it... 5.0 is proly fine too just never used it.. Only in linear fluorescents that is...