Quote:
Originally Posted by maligirl
Whats the differnce between UVA and UVB I only have UVA Temp is 115.9 in my tank now......... I already ordered my 75 gallon TANk ........  |
So how is everything coming along?
So if all you have is a basking light - you need to get a UVB source ASAP. They've been without since you've had them. Not all UVB lights are created equal. Some decay very quickly. Short version - UVB helps the uro to process the calcium in their diet. Without the UVB...the calcium does not get absorbed and the result is Metabolic Bone Disease (Metabolic Bone Disease) and renal failure. You need no less than two 18" fluorescent UVB tubes in each basking area if you've decided to go with two. The UVB is strongest in the middle of th tube and weak on the ends, so setting up one long one and using two heat lamps really wouldn't work. The brands to go with:
Fluorescent tubes:
Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0
Iguana Light 5.0
Exoterra 8.0
Arcadia 5.0 (UK)
...or:
Mercury Vapor bulbs:
Mega Ray EB (external ballast)(Very little heat emits from these and IMHO...the best thing PERIOD)
Mega Ray SB (Self Ballast heat/UVB combo)
T Rex 160 watt flood active UV heat bulb (same as above)
Mega Rays from here -
Welcome To ReptileUV - Mega-Ray® UVB lamps for reptile lighting worldwide
The one I would promote of the second and third one of the Merc vapors would be the MR SB one. T-Rex was given permission by the guy who designed the bulb so it's exactly the same thing...different packaging. I would stick with purchasing from the guy who designed them and uses the money he makes off of his design to rehabilitate reptiles. Many of the other bulbs can be purchased at
Reptile Supplies by ReptileDirect for a more reasonable price than the pet stores. Stay away from the spiral/compact (
UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test - "Special Report"). Once you provide these lights for your uros...set them in the 6" - 8" range from their back for the florescent tubes and 12-18" on the Mega Rays. Any farther and the UVB drops of so much that they don't do any good.
Since you have two - the Mega Ray EB is pretty costly - but still very worth it if you can afford it. If it's just a bit out of range - the 10.0s are the next best thing...
