lighting question

[Anderous]

i was just wondering what the opinion on here is regarding what kind of UVB bulb to use. I know reptisun is the best but does everyone use 5.0 or 10.0?

[cguarino30]

I would recommend going with lower UVB output. I use the Zilla bulbs (which are measured in microwatts, not percentages) and use the 25 microwatt bulb, which is supposed to be similar to the amount of UVB light that an animal would receive if it lived in a forested, jungle, or otherwise partially shaded habitat. Since the general consensus on blueys seems to be that UVB may help, but that they don't necessarily need tons of it, I would recommend the lower wattage, since too much UVB can cause damage to retinas and other problems. At least, that is my understanding. I know many people (a much younger me included) that kept BTSs for years with little to no UVB and were successful, so a lower wattage (25 microwatts, or 2.0-5.0 percentage) should be plenty.

[Bird_Brain]

IMO, I would provide the highest. From the research and studies I have seen, fluorescent bulbs in general put out a bare minimum amount of UVB. MVB produce much greater amounts of UV which have proven to be safe to use with BTS. I would have no fear of using the 10.0 fluorescent bulbs.

As to the retina issues, I believe this was the compact fluorescent bulbs produced by one manufacturer. The issue with these bulbs have been corrected.

Lastly, what ever you choose to go with, ALWAYS follow the directions on the package.

Edit: Ok I htought I was done. Remember that with using fluorescent UV bulbs, you do not want screen to be placed between the fixture and the animal. You typically need to install these inside the cage at the height the manufacturer recommends.

[Anderous]

yeah, i actually have a screen top which i cut to the size of the fixture, then use wire and duct tape to affix it to the top of the cage. it works pretty good. anyway, thanks so much for the input. from what the two of you said, seems like they would do well with either

oh, and you are correct, it was the coil uvb that was causing eye problems

[Bird_Brain]

from what I have experienced, bts do well with both, not providing UVB as well as providing UVB. I typically dont use UVB, however, I have one skink that has a MVB. I actually find that skink to be more active than all the others. Obviously this is a scientific way or a 100% guarantee that UVB is the reason why. Its just something I have observed with that skink.

[robere]

Another alternative...I used hardware cloth ( instead of screen ) on my enclosure top so it wouldnt affect the UV ...

IMO, I would provide the highest. From the research and studies I have seen, fluorescent bulbs in general put out a bare minimum amount of UVB. MVB produce much greater amounts of UV which have proven to be safe to use with BTS. I would have no fear of using the 10.0 fluorescent bulbs.

As to the retina issues, I believe this was the compact fluorescent bulbs produced by one manufacturer. The issue with these bulbs have been corrected.

Lastly, what ever you choose to go with, ALWAYS follow the directions on the package.

Edit: Ok I htought I was done. Remember that with using fluorescent UV bulbs, you do not want screen to be placed between the fixture and the animal. You typically need to install these inside the cage at the height the manufacturer recommends.

[Bird_Brain]

Another alternative...I used hardware cloth ( instead of screen ) on my enclosure top so it wouldnt affect the UV ...

Doesnt affect it as much! It will still be interfere with the rays, but not as much as window screen type material. Ideally you want nothing between the bulb and the skink, but if that is not possible then yes I would do the same as you.

[Fatal_S]

I've used hardware cloth too (I think? The metal mesh with 1/2 holes). Since my finger fits through, pretty sure most of the UVB can too