$20 and $300 UV Meter difference? HELP!

[LarissaLurid]

So I'm really confused at what I'm seeing. I've been recommended zoo med and solartech UV meters which are around $190-300. I found a UVA/UVB "human" type of meter for only $20 though, which claims to read uva/uvb as well as do some other things. (link below) I was wondering, if they both measure uva/uvb, then why are they so different in price and can't I just get something cheaper that does the same job? I know with certain things, you can have the same product, but if it's geared towards being used for pets specifically it seems to be a lot more expensive. (ie substrate that can cost $10 for a few ounces or something in pet store, then pounds of it at a garden store for half the price) Does this seem like the same situtaion? I'd much rather spend $20-30 on a meter than $200-300. HELP!

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... IkBEPMCMAE

[Katrina]

Why get a UV meter? Do you even gave data on what BTS need? I'd just go with a good UVB bulb and use as per manufacturers recommendations and not bother getting a meter.

[LarissaLurid]

Sorry I don't understand what you were trying to say in second sentence. I know that uv lights are supposed to be changed every 6 months, but I'm scared about them running out of UV early. I've heard stories of ones being tested right out of box or only like 3 months later and having little to no UVB, which makes me concerned about my reptiles that need it. If it dies earlier than 6 months then I want to know. (just like how infrared bulbs apparently last 6 months and mine seem to last less, my last went for only 3 months)

Edit: I have also heard of things like people's tegu's having their UV die out early, the owners didn't realize and the tegu got MBD. i'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Bird_Brain]

My experience from working in retail the vast majority of my working life, the old saying is true.

"You get what you pay for!"

Also, there are some BTS who have never had a UV light and have lived for many years, possibly decades with out it. A few months will definitely not hurt BTS.

[LarissaLurid]

My experience from working in retail the vast majority of my working life, the old saying is true.

"You get what you pay for!"

Also, there are some BTS who have never had a UV light and have lived for many years, possibly decades with out it. A few months will definitely not hurt BTS.

Yea I suppose that is usually the case, and well not as worried about BTS as I am about the Tegu.They definitely need their UVA/UVB.

[Richard.C]

if a uv bulb went out 3 months early,and a tegu developed mbd,i wouldnt be blaming the tube for it,id be more inclined to blame diet and more importantly lack of calcium/vitamin d3 in said diet

uv tubes arent going to cover a lack of said dietry supplementation,just putting your animal out side in the sun for 30 mins a few times a week is f way more benefit

i think some folk put way to much emphasis on the use of uv lighting,like its some kind of miracle light and its use will prevent animals getting mbd,its actually proven that diet and supplementation with calcium /vitamin d3 is of way more benefit

tegus,like monitors,have proven to do just as well without uv lighting,when diets been taken care of and supplemented,but it certainly cant harm them to use it,some animals seem to breed and behave better under it,eg agamids,so there are some benefits to its use,but its certainly not going to cure bad diet and lack of calcium d3 in the diet

as for price difference in the uv meters,the more they cost generally means the more higher quality they are,possably way more accurate to,hence the old saying buy the best one you can afford

[Katrina]

Yeah, like the others said, I'd put money into a quality bulb and supplements / diet rather than a meter for a BTS. If there are different issues or needs with tegus you would want to ask people with experience with those what they would recommend.

[LarissaLurid]

I definitely definitely understand the importance of diet + supplements and get outside sun bathing as much as weather permits here in the northeast. I just felt like if I didn't have a properly working UVA/UVB bulb (most in the tegu's case since i've heard of bts being raised without uv and having d-3 replace) then it'd be dangerous even if on proper diet. I didn't really mean to make this more about the tegu though lol, i just wanted to be able to test the bulbs. but yea i'll have to see what people with more tegu experience say. i do everything i can to make sure they are all getting as much uv, sun, supplements and the best diet possible so i just want to think of everything i can do to prevent anything from going bad, like how i heard of UV lights dying out early.

[Leigh]

I don't really know you but you sound a bit panicked by it all, keep calm...... Richard is bang on with his answer, they do fine under 6monthly changed UVB tubes/lamps (if your exact about it), don't stress because some skinks are cared for perfectly fine without ever seeing a UV lamp, it's more about adding D3 insead or just dusting food with it when using UV lighting, you said about getting him out in the sun so go for it I've much better things to get with $300

[Richard.C]

theres nothing wrong with using uv lights either,just please dont think they are the ducks guts as far as reptile husbandry goes,they may aid some species,but its proven that diet and supplementation are of way higher importance

larissa,if usivg uv tubes,go for one of the better quality ones like zoomed uv10,they have a good track record,theres always the uvb spotlights now to,pricey but give off more uvb and at a greater distance than the uv tubes,the uv tubes have to be with in 18 inches to actually be of benifit to,otherwise may as well be cool white non uv tubes in there