Just to clarify, though, I don't think there's such a thing as iguana specific UVB. I think some companies that manufacture reptile products realize that many owners of the more common reptile pets (igs, bearded dragons, ball pythons) will buy almost anything at a higher price if it is marketed to their specific reptile.

As long as the light fits your lamp and has the right amount of UVB, it should work for any reptile. But I agree with Marsha. Go ahead and order your bulb. They'll be okay until Sunday.

If it's warm out your way, you can also take them outside for a little while until you get your new bulb. Direct sunlight is better for them than a UVB bulb anyway. Edit: I just realized you gave him this suggestion already, Marsha! Oops. I didn't mean to just copy your post.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

I also agree with the above information. In fact, I dont believe the "VitaLite" brand UVB bulbs give off that much UVB at all. If choosing between the 2.0 and the 10.0, always go for the higher UVB. These guys really need it. Good luck!

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Hello,

Not all UV lights are created equally! This definitely needs to be pointed out.

While there are no lights specifically catered to individual species, there are certainly lights on the market that "out shine" (lol) the others.

The florescent lights emit different levels of UV, at varying distances. For instance, the 2.0 series actually has the lowest output of UV (2% UVB output with 25% UVA). These lights would NOT be adequate for an iguana, Bearded Dragon, etc. Basically, these lights are good for animals that do not bask out in the open, but actually utilize deflected UV or have low UV requirements.

The 5.0, and the long term bread winner for manufacturers, emits more UV than the 2.0 series (5% UVB with 30% UVA). These lights are only adequate for use with high UV requiring animals when the animal can get within 10 inches of the lights surface. Beyond that, and the UV decay rate is ridiculous. At 16 inches, the 5.0 (brand new) would be 100% useless!

Now they have the 10.0 series (10% UVB with 15% UVA). As you can see, the numerical value on the light depicts the percentage of UVB that light is designed to output.

What they don't tell you is the decay rate for these bulbs. The further you get from the bulbs surface, the less UVB that is "useable". With the 10.0, you want your reptile to be able to get AT LEAST within 12" of the bulbs surface. At 12", the 10.0 will only be emitting around 35uW/cm2. That is NOT a high amount of UVB. lol

The 2.0, at 12" and the 5.0 at at 12" will emit between 13 and 25uW/cm2.

These levels are also subject to the age of the florescent. The older the light, the lower the levels, and the faster these levels decline the further you get from the bulbs surface.

florescents decay as much as 50% from everyday use in 2 WEEKS!

While these lights may not cater to "specific" needs of certain reptiles, some are certainly better than others.

In the wild, the level of UV that many species are getting is in the range of 100 (sometimes lower in thick brush or in burrows, etc.) all the way up to 400+ uW/cm2.

Do you see just how low those lights actually are now?

My favorite light is the Mega ray. I swear by that light. lol The reason is simple, it has GREAT UV output.

The MINIMUM distance the reptiles access should be is 12" (sb). It is suggested though that the basking spot be around 18 (or 16", don't remember).
That would give you a level of something like 50-100 uW/cm2!!! The closer you get, the higher the output! These lights are still capable of being used at 1.5 years old! The tubes need to be replaced (to have maximum UVB output) between 4-6 months!

If you want to learn about UV, and these lights as well as others, please do some reading here:

UVGuide UK

and

ReptileUV Info

All lights are NOT created equally.

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And calm down! Not having UVB for a week is not a big deal! It is the lack of UVB over a period of time that causes the problems.
It isn't that it helps their digestion, it is that it enables the lizard to manufacture vitamin D3 in their skin which allows them to utilize the calcium that is present in their diet.
The use of Vitalites for reptiles is long outdated,...by about 20 years! And is why it is cheaper that the ZooMed 5.0's etc. At one time that was all we had to use but it has been found to barely produce any UVB at all, certainly not enough for reptiles.
UVB light is UVB light,...period! Regardless of what animal is pictured on the box!

If this store is telling you that you can't use the 5.0's because it has a picture of an iguana on the box and you have water dragons I would be VERY skeptical of ANY other information they give you!
Because they are clueless!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

it actually says iguana on it as well, that is the only reason I asked.......i am starting to think I should switch my balast to a t8 bulb style because t12 are near impossible to find

Another tidbit of info I found out recently- If you use a double tube fixture it is better to actually use two single tube fixtures. Just the way power is split into the two bulbs that decreases the output.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

thanks for the info!!!!!!!!!! very helpful

i just purchased a ReptiSun 10.0 from big als .....they told me it was overkill but I will take the word of the owners and breeders over some big chain store employee that looks no older than 15 LOL

thanks again