The UVB-Meter Feedback Thread

[Zen Reptiles]

Haven't got mine yet, but I see in the other thread that some of you have got yours already!!

Let's all post our results in one thread, should be interesting to finally shed some light on all the UVB debate that's been going on for decades now!

Post pics, product reviews, follow ups on UVB burning out over time, outside vs inside UVB exposure, etc etc.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the feedback!

A BIG THANKS AGAIN TO GARY FOR PUTTING THE GROUP ORDER TOGETHER!!

 

[ChromaChameleons]

If you have a reptarium, measure the UVB through the suntac fabric , then measure it without . You will not believe the attenuation. You will also see that not all brands of UVB lighting are created equal. Zoomed will last way longer than its competition and with a meter , you'll see that over time.

 

[Chameleons Canada]

??????? I didn't see that group buy thing!!! Am I too late??? Who's Gary?

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Thanks Gary!! Received ours today, and will be conducting tests in the next few days.

 

[SliK JiM]

Take a look at this site: www.uvguide.co.uk They're been doing what I think you're talking about for a while. You might want to get in touch with them and collaborate or something

 

[jannb]

Got my meter and figured out how to use it (thanks to Gary) Thanks Gary for everything!!!!! Jann

 

[jannb]

??????? I didn't see that group buy thing!!! Am I too late??? Who's Gary?

This is Gary........https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/luckykarma/

 

[Zen Reptiles]

WELL I GOT MINE!!!

Read the instructions and glanced over at http://www.uvguide.co.uk/usinguvmeter.htm then went and took some readings!

The UVB levels outside today were about 235-245, no clouds, sunny, 12:40 noon.

When I pointed it in the opposite direction of the light, and in the shade, it read between 50-150 depending where I was.

My normal UV bulbs were emitting 3-5. The compact fluorescent were reading about 30-35. My UVBs were only reading about 20-40!!

What's everyone else getting?

 

[luckykarma]

Brock. Thank goodness yours finally came. What tragedy our postage services can't work together.

There are two important points here for keepers. First as mentioned by Chroma. Those black mesh cages cut out so much UVB I can't even use them as sunning cages anymore. Indoors they are a total loss as barely any UVB will get through from a bulb. I measure 235 in the Sun. 150 in a screen cage and 15 in a mesh cage in direct sunlight.

Brock. The UVB bulbs only duplicate sun in the shade which if you measure the shade (point the meter towards the sun - it always has to be pointed towards the UVB source) you will get 40.

When you arrange the basking for the cage arrange it so that animal gets 40 at basking area. The drop off is very sharp and you can arrange plants so there's at least some UVB getting to other places.

I'm no expert. The UK site has a lot of info.

 

[jannb]

Time to change my bulbs, ordered four from LLL reptile. 24IN 20 watts reptisun 5.0 I've been waiting for my UV meter to come so I could test my old bulbs before I replaced them. I now have my new SOLARMETER, time to do some testing (thanks to Gary) after looking at the UK site it looks like the standard distance from the lamp for measurement to be used is 12 inches.
I did this test inside house shaded.

6 month old bulb reptisun 5.0

12 inch straight light 25 uvb
6 inch straight light 50 uvb

New bulb reptisun 5.0

12 inch straight light 40 uvb
6 inch straight light 80 uvb

Looks like time to change bulbs, this will give me a base line to work from. Now I will test my bulbs every month and see how well they hold up.

 

[summoner12]

Love my meter!

If anyone orders any 48" T12 10.0 Reptisun's from LLL Reptile... let me know what you get on your meter.

I had a bad run with them. Out of 6 lamps four had LOW readings and two burned out upon power-up.

Here is a thread I started with some readings on 18" T8 5.0 and 10.0 lamps from Zoo Med. These readings were taken with Dave Weldon's meter.

 

[summoner12]

Time to change my bulbs, ordered four from LLL reptile. 24IN 20 watts reptisun 5.0 I've been waiting for my UV meter to come so I could test my old bulbs before I replaced them. I now have my new SOLARMETER, time to do some testing (thanks to Gary) after looking at the UK site it looks like the standard distance from the lamp for measurement to be used is 12 inches.
I did this test inside house shaded.

6 month old bulb reptisun 5.0

12 inch straight light 25 uvb
6 inch straight light 50 uvb

New bulb reptisun 5.0

12 inch straight light 40 uvb
6 inch straight light 80 uvb

Looks like time to change bulbs, this will give me a base line to work from. Now I will test my bulbs every month and see how well they hold up.

I assume this is without screen between the lamp? (you free range right?) if you are getting 25 at the basking spot with no screen you are doing just fine with the amount of UVB you have. You could prolly run another three months. Plus you sun your chams?

I remember seeing some pics of you range. I forget if I mentioned this in the thread (I know I was thinking it), but the UVB is less at the end of the tubes. I noticed with your setup the ends of the lamp are above the basking spots. Did you take any readings with the meter pointed at the lamp at the basking spots?

 

[ChromaChameleons]

I only change UVB tubes when I measure less than 8 uw/cm2 at the basking spot.

 

[summoner12]

I only change UVB tubes when I measure less than 8 uw/cm2 at the basking spot.

What kind of lamp and how long does it take to get that low? what basking distance and what material is your cage?

 

[chamelisa]

Greenhouse

Earlier this month Gary, Dave, Steve, Tylene, Kevin and Chris donated a UVB meter to ChamEO. Many thanks to each of you for your generosity.

I use Solacryl panels in my greenhouse roof. The readings vary depending on time of day and level in the greenhouse. There are cages at different levels. The readings can vary from well over 200 to below 25. These readings change throughout the greenhouse throughout the day. One of my goals is to create records showing three separate readings each day for a full year.

 

[lanceman]

So what does it meen exactly when it says where protective eye glasses on the meter. Does the meter itself give off something harmfull and if so should chams be removed while taking a reading.

NM i read the http://www.uvguide.co.uk/usinguvmeter.htm , sight should have before asking dumb questions it says dont stare at the lights go figure

 

[luckykarma]

You had me going for a minute. Glad you got your meter.

 

[lanceman]

Ya finaly stoped snowing so i could drive down and get it thanks a bunch.

 

[Sancho]

I can't afford one or I would of bought one on the group buy Anyone know of a cheap meter I can buy? Or a used one? Had my bulbs for 5 months not sure if I should replace now or wait a month.

 

[lanceman]

Just checked mine at basking im at 20uvb with no tinfoil they are bout 8 months old. Wich is about 8-9 inches away with a heavy gage wire screen on top no mesh