UV Bulb question

marino420td

New Member
I purchased a $32 compact fluorescent UV bulb from Petco tonight. Seems a little steep. I haven't opened it yet hoping to find a cheaper solution here. Are there cheaper bulbs available?

I bought a Zilla 13 watt Tropical Series 25 bulb.
 
I purchased a $32 compact fluorescent UV bulb from Petco tonight. Seems a little steep. I haven't opened it yet hoping to find a cheaper solution here. Are there cheaper bulbs available?

I bought a Zilla 13 watt Tropical Series 25 bulb.

Return it and purchase a ZooMed Repti-Sun lamp. I would suggest using the linear lamps over the CFLs. A linear lamp provides a much more even spread of UV. CFLs create a very concentrated UV area at one point and it deteriorates as you get farther from the lamp. This is also true with a linear lamp, but since it is a tube and not a single point, the coverage is better across the top of the entire cage.

If this is a 2x2x4' cage, i'd buy a 24" linear ZooMed Repti-Sun 10.0.

I would also use a 6500K lamp along side the UVB lamp. This is easily done with a dual 24" linear fixture. The reason for the 6500K lamp is to help keep the plants alive, and even if you don't have plants it provides a brighter cage. A single UVB lamp is not 'enough' light for a chameleon. They live in the shade, but even two lamps isn't anywhere near the amount of light they are exposed to. The added lamp will aso five more UVA and more spectra of light.

Also, return it simply because R-Zilla is one of the worst lamps on the market. :eek:
 
I also use linear bulbs,10.0 and 6500k grow light. I use a 4 foot shop light fixture $10.00 at Lowes or Home depot and the 4 foot lights.(same lights just longer) For what you can save on the fixture and the small difference in the cost of the bulbs you get mega light!!! That is if you have the space for a 4 foot light,also if you add another cage later you allready have the light covered ;)
 
I also use linear bulbs,10.0 and 6500k grow light. I use a 4 foot shop light fixture $10.00 at Lowes or Home depot and the 4 foot lights.(same lights just longer) For what you can save on the fixture and the small difference in the cost of the bulbs you get mega light!!! That is if you have the space for a 4 foot light,also if you add another cage later you allready have the light covered ;)

I recently switched most of my chams to this kind of set up as well :)
 
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