Omar's gonna need new lights...

[ridgebax1]

It will soon be time to replace the lights over Omar's enclosure. I have wondered but never gotten a good answer to the question, what is the difference (besides price) between a Reptisun 5.0 UVB 13 watt and 26 watt? Which is the better choice for lighting?

 

[CrazyChamLady13]

I would just go with lightyourreptiles.com those lights are top of the line. Todd is awesome.

 

[Psychobunny]

Are you replacing the fixture and tube, or only the tube?

 

[ridgebax1]

Just the bulbs.

 

[bradley]

You want tubes over compacts.

Have a look at the T5 units from Todd. They are the best out there.

 

[ridgebax1]

I know that most prefer tubes however I have a significant monetary investment in the fixtures I have and cannot replace them at this time. From what I have read that the CFL bulbs are adequate and the reptisun brand was never associated with eye problems. So my question is still, what is the difference between the 13 watt and 26 watt light?

 

[MelissaB]

I'm not sure what the difference is. I've tried looking it up on the zoo med website, and googled it, and still couldn't find an answer. If I had to guess, I'd think that the 26 watt would be brighter, but not sure if that means it would transmit more UV.

 

[ridgebax1]

No I know the UVB output is based on the 10.0 or 5.0 rating. I found some info on a turtle forum that says the 26 watt will cast a broader light area than the 13. So since I am committed to the CFL type bulbs for the foreseeable future, should I get the 26 watt or the 13 watt. I just cannot afford the new fixture along with the light right now. Since the eye issues related to CFL is now a non-issue which would be better.

Aside from the eye damage issue that has been rectified by the manufacturer, what are the pros and cons of tubes vs CFL? If this has been discussed in a previous thread could someone link me up?

 

[FlChamMom]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/definitive-lighting-thread-everything-you-really-need-know-80869/

This thread goes over everything you need to know about lighting including wattage. If you have the Reptisun fixture I would stick with the Reptisun 5.0 tube lights. I have a Reptisun fixture and an Arcadia fixture. Both put out equal UV according to my meter, the Arcadia bulbs however last longer. Maybe a future investment for you, but for now, buying the bulb would be cheaper.

 

[Psychobunny]

I know that most prefer tubes however I have a significant monetary investment in the fixtures I have and cannot replace them at this time. From what I have read that the CFL bulbs are adequate and the reptisun brand was never associated with eye problems. So my question is still, what is the difference between the 13 watt and 26 watt light?

I have never heard (seen) a 26W reptisun CFL! I thought they only came
as 13W??!!

Can you link me to one so I can check it out?

 

[Albula]

Exo Terra makes the same with there repti-glos 13watt and 26watt coils and I was wondering the same thing. Found this...............


http://www.turtleforum.com/forum/upload/?showtopic=143371

 

[ridgebax1]

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Zoo-Med-Reptisun-Five-5-0-COMPACT-Fluorescent-Bulb-26W. Also can I use the old uvb bulbs as supplemental lighting or would it make the uvb levels unpredictable? I have 2 uvb lights over the cage in different areas. One by the basking bulb and another area away from the heat. Then I have some full spectrum lights for the plants. Also those of you who use the T5 bulb how do you set up the basking bulb so the chameleon can get both heat and uvb?

 

[ridgebax1]

Can some one tell me more about the actual set up using the linear UVB lights? I assume the basking light remains separate so my question is this if the chameleon spends most of his time under his basking light for heat, will he still get adequate UVB exposure?