Major light issues, about to go insane here!!!

Question

I have this light fixture for my 2 bearded dragons:

http://www.petoddity.com/-HALOGEN-COMBO-/P.do/PID/96316670501.1.0.html

...but I'm having issues finding a good tube bulb for it. I read online that the R-Zilla desert 50 series light bulbs are extremely bad for reptiles. They seem to be the ONLY people that make a bulb to fit this fixture. I've tried ReptiSun and ReptiGlo but they're too big. It says it takes a T5 24" bulb and that's what I got, but they're still too big! GRR! So I was wondering, if I got a smaller UVB output bulb from the same R-Zilla company if it would be alright? Maybe I should get the rainforest series instead?

I don't want to get rid of the hood because it just cost me $100 and it would cost be an arm and leg to return it. We don't have a PetCo or PetSmart in the area so I get most of my stuff through the mail. =/

Answer 1

While it is true there have been problems with the th R-zilla desert bulbs, so have most reptile lights at some time.  I was looking at getting one of these fixtures for an enclosure I am building, for the reasons-  multiple lights and a built in timer. I do not understand why the other 24" T5 do not fit.

A quick question - are you sure it is not the 20", Zoomed  and Exo Terra neither make 20" bulbs?

But Yes you can use the tropical series. I'm not getting into this bulb or that bulb is better. Many people forget that The type of bulb (fluorescent, fluorescent compact, etc), number of bulbs used, brand( there are lights that produce UV that are not designed for reptiles but can still be used), rating (2.0,5.0,8.0,10.0), and light fixture (with /out reflectors) all can effect the distance and intensity of the UV rays at those distances. You Would need a UV meter to actually check the measurement.

Here are some links on UV lighting and test of different bulbs.The first one goes directlyly response on the R-zilla desert 50 series.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapypho...

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm

http://www.anapsid.org/maincaptive.html

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

I have that same problem. I'm going to watch this to see if i can get some answers!

Answer 3

The ONLY acceptable UVB's are

Mercury Vapour Bulbs

Exo-Terra Repti Glo 5.0 UVB

Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 UVB

They MUST be the fluorescent strips, sorry but compact bulbs are a no no so is any other UVB source outside of the ones I've listed and this includes the Exo-terra 10.0 it was tested and no go.