Type of uv tube

[Ricko]

Just wandering what brand people use for there uv tubes and how much they are? what are the best brands and which one is for diamonds? also which ones are for bredli? i know about repti-glo's but down here i cant find the one i want for under $50 but i have not seen or heard about any others.



Cheers Ricko

 

[spottedpython]

reptistar from animalattraction i got told work good.

 

[Sdaji]

Different ones for diamonds and bredli?? You're joking aren't you?

 

[NoOne]

Repti-sun tubes last the longest, but they are more expensive than the others as well.

 

[sobrien]

I use NEC blacklights from the herpshop.

 

[Sdaji]

It's funny that everyone says the NEC tubes don't give out any useful UV etc etc, but the reptiles kept under them are healthy

 

[soulweaver]

rickop save yourself some money and go down to any old lighting shop and buy a tube there that gives off U.V light...........repti-glow and all that other stuff is just a brand name imo

 

[lutzd]

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that UV tubes for snakes are not necessarily a good investment. From what I've read (never used one myself) they give out very little useful UV, and what they do give out is not much good unless the snake is very close to them.

I reckon an hour in the sun is worth a week under one of those, and they don't remain effective for very long either.! ;-) I guess if you don't have the time to take them out in the sun once a week, then they're better than nothing. Also heard that the only snakes that really need it are diamonds, and that's debatable as well.

As I said, I've never used them, so I'm only quoting heresay, so perhaps I should just be ignored! ;-)

 

[Guest]

Soul,
Actually they have different wave lengths, so they are most likely useless.

 

[soulweaver]

if you new where i got that information from you wouldn't be saying that

 

[NCHERPS]

If you are wanting a light to promote good health in your lizards by synthesising vitamin D3, you will need to get a light with a minimum of 5% UVB.
If you are looking for one for snakes then 2% is more than sufficient.

Remember that they should be replaced on average every 6 mth's, and that if your reptile can't bask or get to within 12 inch's of the light, it isn't going to benefit much from the UV in the tube.

You can get UV meter's to check what sort of output of UV is being put out by your tubes and wether or not they should be replaced, can save you some money in the long run, through replacing good tubes to early.

Neil

 

[Guest]

Was he a Physicist? If not, then I dont really care who it is.

Anyway, I think they are a waste of money, as David said, why not just take them out into the sun?

 

[NoOne]

I only use them for dragons.

 

[soulweaver]

if they are really a waste of money for snakes, are they a waste of money for lizards too then?

 

[NoOne]

Some lizards need them some don't. You can also get MVB globes which have a much higher uv output then any tube.

 

[Guest]

I believe they are a waste of money for pythons.
For diurnal snakes, I do use UV lights. When I get my whipsnakes, I will have UV

There have been several papers released, prooving that most lizards require UV!

 

[soulweaver]

my bad there has been a mix-up, when i said u.v i ment ot mention the blacklight nec ones, you can get them from any lighting shop and save yourself a packet

 

[sobrien]

Yup, Brian recomends them, which is enough for me. I have been keeping lizards under them for many years (i change them every 6 months) and they work a treat! Not a problem to date.

 

[Sdaji]

There have been several papers released, prooving that most lizards require UV!

?!?!?! Since when?!?! Please point me in their direction! I'd love to read them!!!

 

[sobrien]

http://www.reptilesdownunder.com/reptile/enclosure/uvlighting.php

some info on uv tubes.