UVB bulb readings

I have 12 fixtures and took a reading on each with my UVB meter. They ranged from 20 to 70. Can anyone tell me which readings are still ok? I have not been able to find any definitive answer

maybe this site will help

Not sure myself; have you read this site: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

There's a yahoo group for UVb meter owners too, might be good to join that and ask there.

Howdy Naomi,

A lot depends on the distance of those measurements . A reading of 20uW/cm2 at 12" would indicate a tube functioning within spec as would a reading of 70uW/cm2 at maybe 4". Some research suggests that Veileds and Panthers will do ok in the range of 25-50uW/cm2 of UVB from a Reptisun linear tube. That means you could move your "weak" tubes a bit closer and your strong tubes a bit farther away . Handy having one of those Solarmeter 6.2 UVB meters isn't it .

Note: Neither 20 or 70 uW/cm2 are at such limits as to cause health concerns but, for example, if your readings were at 5 or 200 uW/cm2 then I'd be concerned and make adjustments accordingly.

That is a good article. Still need some definitive answers so I can start replacing my bulbs.

Thank you! Love the meters and only use reptisun. I keep the lower ones over my babies.

Dave Weldon said:

Howdy Naomi,

A lot depends on the distance of those measurements . A reading of 20uW/cm2 at 12" would indicate a tube functioning within spec as would a reading of 70uW/cm2 at maybe 4". Some research suggests that Veileds and Panthers will do ok in the range of 25-50uW/cm2 of UVB from a Reptisun linear tube. That means you could move your "weak" tubes a bit closer and your strong tubes a bit farther away . Handy having one of those Solarmeter 6.2 UVB meters isn't it .

Note: Neither 20 or 70 uW/cm2 are at such limits as to cause health concerns but, for example, if your readings were at 5 or 200 uW/cm2 then I'd be concerned and make adjustments accordingly.

Click to expand...

What is the actual difference...

...between a Repti-sun 5.0 and a 10.0 ?

I looked (breifly) on line for the Repti-sun 5.0 because the one at the store was almost $30.00. I hoped to order one for cheaper on the web. The site i found only had Repti-sun 10.0.

It seems like (based on the above post by Dave Weldon) that a 10.0 might be Ok if kept at a distance or maybe even just let the cham regulate himself. I can do some more searching later today.

I will have a six month old Ambilobe Panther and Im getting his enclosure set up now.

ZippiesPal said:

...between a Repti-sun 5.0 and a 10.0 ?

...Repti-sun 5.0 because the one at the store was almost $30.00. I hoped to order one for cheaper on the web. The site i found only had Repti-sun 10.0.

It seems like (based on the above post by Dave Weldon) that a 10.0 might be Ok if kept at a distance or maybe even just let the cham regulate himself. I can do some more searching later today...

Click to expand...

Howdy David,

It is essentially correct that you could raise the height of a Reptisun 10.0 and end-up with the same UVB levels as a Reptisun 5.0 at the lower position. The only other difference is that the visible spectrum from a 10.0 seems to be shifted more toward the blue spectrum and isn't as visibly bright either. You should be able to compensate for most of that with your basking light anyway.

For height positioning, take a look at the graphs for 5.0 and 10.0 Reptisuns here: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.htm

15"-48" Reptisun 5.0 linears for $18 here:
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/

I will be using a screen cage...

... It is a silver colored (not black) alluminum 2x2x4 chameleon enclosure.

I thought I might mount a 24" tube light Repti-sun 5.0 in a fixture (I already have one) on the back of the cage verticaly along a corner or centered. Then I will get a regular 100 watt clear bulb in an 8" fixture (I already have one), and place that on top of the cage for basking heat.

The 24" tube mounted verticaly will project UV rays into the upper half of the enclosure. His UV ray exposure would only drop as he moved forward, away from the back wall, but not significantly until he decended below the 24" halfway point of the enclosure.
If its just put at the top, horizontaly (as I see in most enclosures), then the UV rays are only available at the top area of the cage and the dose would be reduced as Zippy decends lower in the cage.

I am a Radiation safety tech where I work, so I am familiar with how 'rays' radiate.

Would you suggest a 5.0 or a 10.0, and am I making too much of a scientific big deal about positioning of the fixture?

im no engineer but uv rays are harmful to eyes? if you mounted it vertically wouldnt the rays be shining...horizontally so your cham would be "looking" at the bulb all the time instead of just being able to bask in them?

The post you're replying to is from December 2009!

But yes, that would be really, really uncomfortable for any animal.

LMAO I noticed the date rafter cuz I joined last week but I figured I'd just leave it up anyway instead of starting a new thread about it lol but thanks for answering my question