I have a 18'' uvb bulb and i remember when i first got it that it said to replace after 1 year. Its been about a year now and I am wondering exactly how long these bulbs last. I don't know if the manufacturer lowballs the expected life to get customers to buy new ones on regular intervals. Can anyone give me advice on this. I don't want a bulb that is decreased in its ability to give adequate uvb to my cham. Thanks!!
how long do uvb bulbs last
- Thread starter Ares
- Start date
This is a great question. 6 months has been the standard for the last decade or so. The problem is there are manufacturers now that try to compete with the best by putting out a lesser quality bulb, and consequently it has a huge fluctuation, and runs out of any sort of useful UVB after as little as ONE month (some never have it to begin with). I have personally seen the studies being done, watched the different UVB readings off of most every name brand bulb on the market today, and my advice? STICK WITH ZOO MED. We carry SEVERAL brands of UV lighting options at LLL, but we always recommend Zoo Med when asked. For a fluorescent bulb, I highly recommend paying the extra money. You absolutely get what you pay for when it comes to a UVB bulb. Your chameleons will thank you for it! If you have a regular Zoo Med 5.0 or 10.0 tube, then to answer your question, I would change it every 6 months as recommended.
Hope this helps!
Scott
LLLReptile & Supply
www.LLLReptile.com
Hope this helps!
Scott
LLLReptile & Supply
www.LLLReptile.com
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy,
Take a peek at these charts: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.htm
Among other interesting bits of data that you'll find in the link above; one that I spotted was that the uW levels from a ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 linear tube positioned at 12" when new, will deliver about the same level at a year old if moved 2 inches closer to the measurement point
.
My recommendation is that if you can afford it, go with the 6 month replacement schedule. If funds are tight, move the tube closer as it ages until you can afford to get a replacement ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 linear tube.
(P.S. LLL has decent prices on the ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 tubes in various sizes: http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/-/zoo-med-18-repti-sun-50-uvb-bulb/)
Take a peek at these charts: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.htm
Among other interesting bits of data that you'll find in the link above; one that I spotted was that the uW levels from a ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 linear tube positioned at 12" when new, will deliver about the same level at a year old if moved 2 inches closer to the measurement point
. My recommendation is that if you can afford it, go with the 6 month replacement schedule. If funds are tight, move the tube closer as it ages until you can afford to get a replacement ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 linear tube
.(P.S. LLL has decent prices on the ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 tubes in various sizes: http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/-/zoo-med-18-repti-sun-50-uvb-bulb/)
summoner12
Avid Member
I have 10.0 Zoo Med lamps that are almost 14 months old....... putting out lower levels...... obviously, but still useful non the less. I just have had to lower the lamp so it rests on top of my cage. I should prolly use a reflector to get a bit more out of it...
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy,
I often forget that not every chameleon keeper has a Solarmeter 6.2 UVB meter. Not only is it useful to verify the otuput levels as our UVB sources age, but it is also very handy when positioning UVB light sources in general .
I often forget that not every chameleon keeper has a Solarmeter 6.2 UVB meter
. Not only is it useful to verify the otuput levels as our UVB sources age, but it is also very handy when positioning UVB light sources in general .
summoner12
Avid Member
At the basking spot you wanna see nothing lower than 12 or 14 and you don't want much more than 40-50.... if you have it in the 40+ range on the meter at the basking you wanna make sure you have somewhere the animal can find shade...
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy Naomi,
This may sound like an odd question but did you buy a Solarmeter Model 6.2 or was it one of the other models available? In the past some people bought the 5.0 or the 6.0 models not knowing that there is a big difference. Assuming that you bought the model 6.2 then first, here's the link on how to accurately use it: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/usinguvmeter.htm
If you are taking a measurement "in situ", decide where you are going to hold the meter and then sweep it back and forth, looking for the peak value. These meters are very directional. If you are off of peak by just a handful of angular degrees, your uW levels will be off by a significant amount. Just move it around (but not any closer in distance) and watch for the highest value and note it.
As to what a particular tube should be outputting, that'll depend on make and model UVB tube. Assuming that you have a Reptisun 5.0 linear tube, compare them to the graphs here: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.htm.
Also, regarding your actual uW measurement levels: post them or PM
. I'm sure that we'll be able to point you in the right direction (Pun ?).
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
FYI: this post has been reported so no need to comment. Ty
