Equipment Review and Discussion :: Reptisun 5.0 vs. Reptiglo 5.0

[scottpkura]

They seem to spec out about the same in the pet store.

I bought a Reptisun 5.0 from Petco For $42.99 i took it home and installed it. It looked like any other CFL, with a noticeable Blue/White Glow.

Later that night I went to Petsmart to grab something for my dogs and saw the Reptiglo 5.0 for $16.99. Based on price alone and they seemingly are the same product I bought the Reptiglo and Returned the Reptisun. (8000K?)

BUT, once I installed the reptiglo, I was surprised to see the Reptiglo emit a yellow/white glow. (3000K?)

Can someone give me feedback if this is normal or if I have a defective product? If two products are supposedly the same, how can the color temp of the lights be so different?

If they care truly producing the same amount of UVB, then I'll leave it alone, but the difference in light color output has me wondering.

[BullDog]

Yikes! That seems pricey for a Reptisun!

The first few bulbs I used were Reptisun, then I switched to Reptiglo because they were available locally. I think you're right, that the Reptisun is a bit more bluish than the Reptiglo. I find the Reptiglo is pretty much white (thought I've never looked at it directly). As they age, they go more toward yellow.

They're both rated for 5.0% UVB, so I assume that they both put out approximately the same amount, although I don't have a UVB meter to measure it.

I'd stick with the Reptiglo. That's what I personally use.

[meltedspork]

I think a lot of people use the Reptiglo bulbs because they are cheaper. And from what research I have done online, they are just as good as the Reptisun bulbs. I never really paid attention to the hue of the light, as it is so blindingly bright!

[steve]

That's pricey for the Reptiglo too. Reptiglos are considered weaker, so a Reptiglo 5.0 doesn't put out as much UVB as a Reptisun 5.0.

As for the colors, they are different manufacturers and likely use different formulas in their bulbs. I no longer use either, so I can't add any personal perspective.

[Caphits]

How is the reptiglo weaker?

I use reptiglo, and only reptiglo, because it is MUCH cheaper for me at reputable online websites.

My bulb is extremely bright white, with a tint of yellow. No blueish hues to it.

[Maltliquor45]

I use reptisun 5.0 myself - Petco, at the retail store, is waaaaay more expensive than it has to be. Reptisun bulbs can be had for less than $20 at online reptile supply retailers. Petco prices online are cheaper than at the store as well.

i think reptiglo 5.0 comes in either 13W bulb or 26W bulb.

i think i like reptiglo because it is really compact - the reptisun is long and sticks out.

And according to a response to an email i wrote to Zoo Med - Reptisun bulbs continue to output essential UVB rays for a year. On the box itself it says replace after a year - on the guide inside and online it says after 6 months.

Here's the body of the email from Zoo Med:

Thank you for contacting us. We have recently completed more testing and have found that these bulbs still produce adequate UVB/ UVA even after 12 months of use. For this reason, we have changed our recommendations to replacing the bulb once yearly. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards,

Ashley Rademacher
Customer Service
Zoo Med Labs, Inc.
3650 Sacramento Dr.
San Luis Obispo CA 93401
Toll Free 888-496-6633
Fax 805-542-9295