was wondering what you all use for your wds. i just got one that is about 5 inches in body and 7 inches in tail. he was alone at the petstore with no uvb light or any hide at all. very brown. i saw him eat a cricket today and he is energetic... everything but the uvb is set. i want to buy the reptisun 5.0 at petsmart for 22.99 and was wondering if that is a quality item and/or a good deal.

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Alexa.

1.0 Ball Python, Draco
1.0 Bubblegum Snow Corn, Apollo
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon, Henry
0.0.1 New Caledonian Crested Gecko, Jespyr

HerpHobbyist since 2001.

Im not sure how much reptisun 5.0 runs as far as price but that is the bulb you are looking for. Either the 5.0 or the new 10.0 which is a bit more expensive. I also just found a great deal on a reptiglow 8.0 for $17.

http://www.herpsupplies.com/product.cfm?id=SHGPT2175

Alternatively you could get bulb that emits both heat and UVB such as the mega ray. Those are great, they last long, and it works in a normal clamp lamp with a porcelan socket.

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Josh Shrader

1.0 Ball Python (Monty)
0.1 Red-Eared Slider (Woody)
0.1 Yellow-Bellied Slider (Buz)

well. i just got the reptiglo 5.0. I was a bit disappointed because the reptisun seems stronger according to some comparison charts I studied, but it says it gives out 5% UVB. Is this adequate for a Chinese Water Dragon?

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Alexa.

1.0 Ball Python, Draco
1.0 Bubblegum Snow Corn, Apollo
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon, Henry
0.0.1 New Caledonian Crested Gecko, Jespyr

HerpHobbyist since 2001.

5% Should be alright but 8% would definately be better.

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Josh Shrader

1.0 Ball Python (Monty)
0.1 Red-Eared Slider (Woody)
0.1 Yellow-Bellied Slider (Buz)

My understanding is that the 5%, 7% and 10% markings mean little in what we look for in UVB. Those % are supposedly the amount of visible light they emit. What we are looking for is any wavelengths between 290 and 320 (Shoot I forgot the ranges, something liek that though) and you can only measure those with a UVB meter. The reptisuns are the best tube style light on the market, you should be able to get by with the reptiglo. Personally I recommend the megaray external ballasted bulb from reptileuv.com. Its a bit more pricey but puts out over 3x times the useable uvb a reptisun does and lasts longer (1 year as compared to 6 months) plus it penetrates deeper into the enclosure. Keep in mind for Henry (i think thats what you told me you named him) to use this UVB effectibly he must be within 12 inches of the bulb face with no glass or plastic between it and him. This means you will likly need to raise the basking spot close to the bulb or bring the bulb closer to him. Keep us posted.