Equipment Review and Discussion :: Repti Glo 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Bulb - 26 Watt

[ashipyor]

I just purchased the Repti Glo 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Bulb - 26 Watt for my hatchling's new 30g tank. The last light I used caused my hatchlings eyes to swell up and I was mortified so I need to do things right this time! On the box it says that the UVB rays can be transmitted up to 12 inches. Since it's a 30g tank and my turt is just a hatchling does anyone have any reccomendations on a proper distance away from the basking area? Is there a burn-in period with this light? Also...I have a screen top on my current tank which from some of my research does not transmit uvb well. Are clamp lamps safe? I'm super worried about the lamp falling in the water or something crazy. I would also prefer to have a screen top so nothing falls in the water by accident. I live in a predator free place. Sorry this was a long one with lots of questions but I have become a very over-protective turtle mommy.

[BullDog]

It's usually best to have it at least 8" from the basking area, 10 or 12" is better.
I think there is a burn-in for all UVB lights, but I'm not sure how long that period is supposed to last, or if it affect your turt in any way.

For a screen top, you want something that has at least 1/2" holes. Egg crate works well, but you don't want to rest anything hot directly on it. You can cut a hole out for the bulb, so the bulb doesn't touch the egg crate.

Yes, just about any standard light fixture (or clamp lamp) will work for the UVB. Just make sure it's rated at least 26 watts.

[papoopeepoo]

From the tests that I've read up on, around 100 hours of burn-in time is best. That may seem like alot, but considering the thousands of hours that your lamp is useable for, it isn't much.

[ashipyor]

During the burn-in time what does that exactly mean? Do I keep the light at a further distance or just not on the turtle at all but on for a 100 hours?

All of thisinformation is extremely helpful. Can I just go to a home improvement store to find egg crate? Is there a need to look for a specific type of egg crate that is made with certain materials?

[BullDog]

Yes, you can find egg crate in most hardware stores. It is also called "light diffuser". I think all egg crate is made of plastic. It comes in different colours, although it is most commonly white. You can also get egg crate that is chrome covered, but it's usually 4x the price!

[TheComputerGremlin]

I found a ZooMed 10.0 compact fluorescent FAQs sheet (prior to my computer crashing, so I can't post the file).

Anyways, it gives a burn in period of 150 hours (about 2 weeks at 12 hour daily cycles) and it says to have the bulb about 2 inches further away during the burn in. After that, you can put it back to the 8-12".

But remember, papoopeepoo, that the bulb's life is only about 3000 hours, so 1/20th of the lifetime is pretty significant. You never want to use one of these bulb's past 8 months. It will keep shining, I have one still shining that is going on over a year now. But the UVB should be essentially gone now. I replaced my basking UVB bulb with a new one and use the old one as tank lighting.

[ashipyor]

Too be safe I've been "burning in" the light in a separate room from my turtle. Is there any harm in letting it burn in for the full 150 hours straight (without turning it off) before putting it in tilly's new habitat? I'm trying to avoid any potential mishaps. And, besides not being very sustainable, I don't pay for utilities where I live so running of the power bill doesn't phase me.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Shouldn't be a problem, just make sure that it won't be too close to you, other pets, or household plants. There have been a few reports of people getting sunburns from compact fluorescents. I think that amounts to about 6 days straight. Oh, make sure it won't bleach anything else, like furniture fabric or paper!