Question about UVB bulbs

[RLover09]

Ok guy I totally understand the lighting that I have to have on my Chameleon but I was wondering whats the difference between the Exo-Terra Repti-Glo 5.0 fluorescent light and a regular fish tank fluorescent light? I am just wondering... My Reptile collection is really starting to get big and I am looking for some way to save money, but I don't wanna save money at the expense of my babies... Thanks guys...

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Reptiglo is specifically a UVB producing bulb. Flourescents used for fish tanks may have UVA, but do not have UVB. UVB is critical to producing vitamin D so they can utilize calcium and without it they get metabolic bone disease. Sorry, UVB lighting isn't going to be a place you can cut corners.

 

[lecham]

coil uvb or linear uvb bulb?

im wondering if the coil bulb( exo terric repti glow 5.0) will cause blindness as compared to the linear bulb iv heard that it wont cause blindness..does any one have a comment on this matter?

 

[carol5208]

There was a problem way back quite a few years ago, with the compact bulbs causing blindness and eye problems. The mfg has since stated that they have rectified the problem. There are members on here who use the compacts and do not have any problems. The only chance you have of getting one of the bulbs is maybe if a store had very very old stock and then put it on the store shelf to be sold. Most of us use the tubes.