Equipment Review and Discussion :: Do regular fluorescent bulbs give UVB?

[WeTheTurtles]

I just bought this fluorescent light yesterday:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_219_PC_productlist_Nav_216_N_24%20123_sku_216488_familyID_7394.aspx

I'm wondering if anybody knows whether this provides UVB. It gives off a nice purplish light which makes the water look nice, but I'll return it if it it's universally known (within this forum) that these regular fluorescent fish tank lights don't provide UVB.

It's hard to keep up with all these safety precautions, isn't it? The coil UVB bulbs in the reptile section were so darned expensive, but I'll get it if that's the only way to keep our two turtles healthy.

-Lisa and Adam

[Jessica313]

my assumption is that if it doesnt say it gives off UVB, then it doesnt. yes they are expensive.. i got a really good deal on mine at petco.. i got for $30 both the bulb and the fixture.. i think the brand was reptisun.. it was in an orange box

i just looked on the website and couldnt find it, but look for it in the store. it was a great buy!

[sonyj]

The light has to say that it emits UVB rays (7-10% is what you should be looking for). If it doesn't say this on the packaging all you've bought is a florescent which is not what your turtle needs to remain healthy. Even if the packaging says full spectrum but not a specific UVB % then it's not a UVB bulb. You find UVB lights usually with the reptile supplies not the fish. Fish lights do not give off UVB as a general rule.

[steve]

Just to add to the correct info, but it may be a "black" light which is not what you want to use here. I get my UVB lights @ Big Al's online for $23, plus shipping. Most UVB lights need to be replaced every 6-months, so I pick up 2 at a time.

[WeTheTurtles]

Thanks you guys for the info. We're about to head over to Petco to return this purple thing and get a coil UVB lamp. Good thing I asked!

[missibsu]

You can get the tube bulbs that give off UVB, they are cheaper and if you already have the fixture, that is what I would do. But then, the choice is yours, lol!

[WeTheTurtles]

We looked at the tube UVB bulbs and they were probably overpriced (like 30-50 bucks) at Petco. So we ended up getting the coil thing and a clip-on dome light, and I feel much better. Though I do kinda miss the pretty purple light...

-Lisa

[missibsu]

You can leave the other light for just aquarium light, if you like it so well, lol.

I have a hood that holds two 20 inch bulbs, and only the one over the basking area has a UVB bulb, the other is just a regular aquarium bulb.

[turtle man]

I just bought this fluorescent light yesterday:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_219_PC_productlist_Nav_216_N_24%20123_sku_216488_familyID_7394.aspx

I'm wondering if anybody knows whether this provides UVB. It gives off a nice purplish light which makes the water look nice, but I'll return it if it it's universally known (within this forum) that these regular fluorescent fish tank lights don't provide UVB.

It's hard to keep up with all these safety precautions, isn't it? The coil UVB bulbs in the reptile section were so darned expensive, but I'll get it if that's the only way to keep our two turtles healthy.

-Lisa and Adam

NO!!at least I think so, about a week ago I went to petco to get a UVB bulb, I asked the chinease lady there for a UVB BULB she looks around and says, heres a uvb bulb, I scanned it, bought it for 18.99 i go home, I checked the 'halogin' (name of the bulb) container and it says:GIVES OFF UVA... FOR REPTILES NEEDING UVB ZOOMED RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS.... fine, I go back to the store to return it and THE MANAGER HERSELF
comes and finds me a UVB bulb she checks it a few times and proudly says, HERE IS A UVB BULB, I must of checked it a million times, even as the cashier scanned it (it was 8.99) , I go home and after checking closely I notice it says:PROVIDES UVA... IS COMPATIBLE WITH ZOOMED UVB LAMP NEEDED FOR PROPER CALCIUM ABSORBTIONaargh , I went all the way back, (I live in ditmas park)returned it and got the heck out of that store. permit me for being pessimistic I doubt its uvb.

[Lilsaint]

go to reptile department and find a fluorescent light, but look for gives out uvb. How hard can it be?

[coreyvht]

you can change the bulb to a uvb long bulb thing i guess what are those bulbs called the long ones lol ..but ya they have uvb bulbs for those