Looking for a tube uvb light

[elfbane]

Does anyone know where I can get a cheep used one? Because its gonna cost me 65$ to build kamis new cage and the lights I have seen are running that high as well and I really don't want to spend that much because its gonna cost like a additional 50$ to do the living wall and I want to flourish this cage with plants but kami is recovering from mbd that he developed from the vendors care we got him at a expo 5 weeks ago and he's showing improvement but I want his new home to have the uvb he needs but perhaps a little cheaper ? Could I use multiple blue day time uvb lamps? I really need to find a cheaper alternative

 

[Remkon]

Since most UVB lamps are only good for 6months to a year and are crucial for their health I don't reccommend saving money on it and getting it secondhand as you do not know how long it has been used for and how long it will be good for (without having a uvi/uvb meter).

 

[kelly_girl199]

Amazon has 18" reptisun T8 bulbs for 20$ and Walmart has under the counter light fixtures that fit T8 bulbs for 8$. It says its 18" but really it just fits bulbs that size. its more like 20 or 22".

 

[kelly_girl199]

Lights are more important than a living wall.

 

[kelly_girl199]

you can also pick up cheap clamp lamps from home depot.Walmart has 60-75 wat bulbs in packs of 4 for 5$

 

[elfbane]

Is there a possibility that you know the name of the fixture? I found a t8 bulb for pretty cheap on chewy.com if I do it this way it will save a lot of money I'm wanting to get the new light asap before I make his adult cage

 

[elfbane]

Would this bulb work with the fixture you mentioned?

 

[kelly_girl199]

Would this bulb work with the fixture you mentioned?

yes but they are not as good of quality.I would really get the reptisun.

 

[kelly_girl199]

let me show you what I did with my cage in a bit.I did not make a living wall, but I did use Great stuff Pond and stone around two of my potted plants. And I think it gives more room for the Buddy to move about his cage, and it still has a taste of that living wall look. More space to crawl and climb is far more important than a look you are going for. I made my cage full of just four plants, hung on dragon strand ledges. and lots of vines and branches to climb.

 

[elfbane]

I will definitely get the better bulb if I can get a cheaper fixture

 

[Stinger]

Does anyone know where I can get a cheep used one? Because its gonna cost me 65$ to build kamis new cage and the lights I have seen are running that high as well and I really don't want to spend that much because its gonna cost like a additional 50$ to do the living wall and I want to flourish this cage with plants but kami is recovering from mbd that he developed from the vendors care we got him at a expo 5 weeks ago and he's showing improvement but I want his new home to have the uvb he needs but perhaps a little cheaper ? Could I use multiple blue day time uvb lamps? I really need to find a cheaper alternative

Just don't cheap out on lighting. Sometimes other things can wait, your living wall. Good solid UV lighting is outmost importance.
Consider the size of your enclosure also. It all takes time.
Check out http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/

 

[elfbane]

Ok awesome I only have two small spider plants but my aunt has 3 iguanas and looots of reptile safe plants so I'm gonna go raid her plant stash for kamis cage in a few weeks I really want the jungle climber vines from our pet store they look so real! But its 22$ for one I'm definitely going to be looking for a higher paying job I love helping out at the pet grooming place but I need more than what I'm making to do this

 

[Virgil1972]

I will definitely get the better bulb if I can get a cheaper fixture

The problem with cheaper fixtures is they probably wont have a reflector of any kind where as the fixtures made for reptile UVB lights will have a good reflector on them. If you get a fixture without a reflector then not as much UVB will be going down into the cage.

 

[kelly_girl199]

 

[kelly_girl199]

It's a little blurry but this is what I have.

 

[kelly_girl199]

I also use a canopy dome that you can put three lights in sockets. I have a second UVB spot and two low wattage lights. And then I have an actual basking spot. But he has plenty of room and plants to escape lighting and he does frequently.

 

[kelly_girl199]

 

[kelly_girl199]

 

[Stinger]

kelly_girl199 Nicely done up. You must be Florist.

 

[kelly_girl199]

kelly_girl199 Nicely done up. You must be Florist.

No Florist, Artist. I am very particular, creative, and I myself like to save a few bucks.