UVB Lighting

[Matt1851]

Hey guys i know that the reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb is the best for chameleons but i was wondering what your take on the R-Zilla Desert Series 50, 50 Microwatts UVB 12" light is. Iv been looking at it and it says on the box "UVB light promotes healthy bone development in desert reptiles. Now before everyone thinks im stupid i know it says desert reptiles but i was told it can still be used on chameleons is this true?

 

[Dave Weldon]

...i was wondering what your take on the R-Zilla Desert Series 50, 50 Microwatts UVB 12" light is...?

Howdy Matt,

The kindest thing that I can say about that R-Zilla UVB light is that they agreed with the independent research done on their product after it was on the market and then stopped making it until it was reformulated. It was still being sold for quite some time even after the report came out. That was several years ago. You may either be looking at the old ones still in stock or the new ones which have not had independent research released yet.

I've often written about the fact that UVB uW/cm2 values are only a small part of the "story" when choosing an appropriate UVB light source for reptiles. The R-Zilla is a classic example of exhibiting reasonable UVB levels as measured at ~297nm spectral wavelength but not taking into account the energy produced at shorter, more photobioligically active wavelengths that approach the UVC band. The end result of using the first versions of the "50" was essentially being hit with a "death ray". Chameleons were being UV burned to death within short order .

https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-special-report-uvb-reptile-health-problems-6122/

 

[Matt1851]

so in short if anyone used that light thats what would happen :O

 

[Matt1851]

ok well heres the deal today i told my parents to grap me a uvb lamp for the reptisun 5.0 bulb and they came back with the r-zilla light here are some pics to be persice on what exact light it is.

 

[Dave Weldon]

so in short if anyone used that light thats what would happen :O

Howdy Matt,

Two problems:

It produced non-terrestrial spectral content. That means that there was energy at wavelengths that normally never make it through the earth's atmosphere. Those wavelengths are dangerous.

Because of the tube's design, it also produced very high levels at close range so if your chameleon happened to be able to get closer than the 12" spec. the energy levels go up very fast. We like readings not much higher than around ~50uW/cm2. It was possible to get as high as 1752uW/cm2 at the ridiculously and dangerously close range of 1 inch with the R-Zilla. Imagine a chameleon climbing on the screen underneath the R-Zilla tube . Combine that uW level with the fact that it has dangerous spectral content and any chameleon that got too close for any length of time was literally fried. I think I recall it having a UV Index of something like 14 or 16. Those numbers are waaaay scary too .

 

[Dave Weldon]

ok well heres the deal today i told my parents to grap me a uvb lamp for the reptisun 5.0 bulb and they came back with the r-zilla light here are some pics to be persice on what exact light it is.

Howdy Matt,

We (the chameleon community) just don't have the data yet (maybe soon) to show that it is safe to use any of the R-Zilla UVB products. Take it back and get the Reptisun 5.0 linear tube. If they don't have it then order it online.

 

[Matt1851]

alright thanks! good thing they got the 2 year warrenty

 

[summoner12]

Jesus!! are your fingers sun burned?!

 

[Matt1851]

ya thats quite alot

 

[Astray]

Ahh, because I couldn't find any reptisun bulbs at my local store I've been using a 25 microwatt bulb from R-Zilla. Unlike the one shown about its a long tube and also part of the tropical series, not the desert series.

Should I not be using this?

 

[Dave Weldon]

...been using a 25 microwatt bulb from R-Zilla. Unlike the one shown about its a long tube... Should I not be using this?

Howdy,

To be flippant for a moment rolleyes, I'd say that the Tropical 25 is only half as deadly as the Desert 50 . The real answer is that if you have the reformulated, new R-Zilla version then we don't know its level of safety. If it is the old phosphor formulation then it is producing non-terrestrial spectral content that, at any level, is dangerous. My original involvement was with the 20" long version. After my preliminary investigation, I shipped that unit to Dr. Baines of www.uvguide.co.uk fame. She did the spectral content testing and notified the manufacturer.

 

[Matt1851]

Howdy,

To be flippant for a moment rolleyes, I'd say that the Tropical 25 is only half as deadly as the Desert 50 . The real answer is that if you have the reformulated, new R-Zilla version then we don't know its level of safety. If it is the old phosphor formulation then it is producing non-terrestrial spectral content that, at any level, is dangerous. My original involvement was with the 20" long version. After my preliminary investigation, I shipped that unit to Dr. Baines of www.uvguide.co.uk fame. She did the spectral content testing and notified the manufacturer.

hmm i know you dont know anything abou tthis light but i wouldnt call the bulbs tubes but i coul dbe wrong. all it says is it includes two desert 50 UVB Fluorescent bulbs. And another question it says 50 microwatts how many normal watts is that?

 

[stickytongue]

Jesus!! are your fingers sun burned?!

ironic you have a dream catcher when what will be giving you nightmares is thelight in your hand!!! thank God for forums!!!

 

[Matt1851]

ironic you have a dream catcher when what will be giving you nightmares is thelight in your hand!!! thank God for forums!!!

im not using it dont worry just wanted thoughts on it thats all. definatly going for the reptisun 5.0

 

[summoner12]

ironic you have a dream catcher when what will be giving you nightmares is thelight in your hand!!! thank God for forums!!!

your what hurts?

 

[Matt1851]

your what hurts?

i think what he was trying to tell me is to return the light and not have nightmares about my chameleon being fried :\

 

[summoner12]

i think what he was trying to tell me is to return the light and not have nightmares about my chameleon being fried :\

I see..... well then he needs a lesson on how to quote people....

 

[Dave Weldon]

hmm i know you dont know anything abou tthis light but i wouldnt call the bulbs tubes but i coul dbe wrong. all it says is it includes two desert 50 UVB Fluorescent bulbs. And another question it says 50 microwatts how many normal watts is that?

Howdy Matt,

It's a funny thing about whether to call them lamps or bulbs or tubes . What we call "tubes" are all commonly referred to as "bulbs" by many. It drives some in the industry a bit nuts since they are actually all "tubes" in their basic design. The one in your photo is of a "U" shaped design. Rather than having the electrical connections at either end of the fixture, the u-shaped tube has both ends of the tube on one side of the fixture. In the end, it's still a "tube" filled with a phosphor and some mercury .

The spec. referring to microwatts (uW) is the UVB energy that has left the tube. The other wattage spec. is the amount of energy (ex: 18 watts) the tube and ballast consumes to make that 25 millionths of a watt (25uW) of UVB that lands on each square centimeter of your chameleon's skin (25uW/cm2).

 

[summoner12]

hehe yes... bulbs... tubes... lamps...

When I worked at a professional lighting house, it was punishable by death to call the 'lamp' a 'bulb'. Now, the lamp is the part of a lighting fixture that is glass and emits light. so if you wanted to describe the 'lamp' you'd say it was a 'tube lamp' or a 'round lamp' or a 'linear lamp'.

To some or even most people, a 'lamp' is the fixture... Or at least that is how people I knew growing up called them. (I am from the mid-west).