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Post by Tesa on Nov 11, 2003 7:21:05 GMT -8
I just read a wonderful (and mind boggling) article by Bob MacCargar referencing 1) minimum and maximum ultraviolet B exposure levels by natural sunlight 2) What range is necessary for an iguana 3) which bulbs peform best in terms of meeting these specific requirements. Some quotes:
"The USDA recently did a study with an Ultraviolet Pyranometer and found readings of UV-B in Florida on June 1st that reached 450 microwatts per square inch" "Although iguanas may not be exposed to as much as 450 microwatts per square inch on a continuous basis, they will spend several hours a day exposed to relatively high numbers. My studies, as well as those of others, have found that, even in the shade, global UV-B readings reach 30–50 microwatts per square inch . These numbers give us an idea of the minimum and maximum ultraviolet B exposure levels in nature."
The recommended exposure is "30–50 microwatts per square inch from a distance of 12" for 8–12 hours per day.(comparable to natural exposures in the wild) "
The best florescent tubes tested (Reptisun 5.0) emitted 12–15 microwatts per square inch at 12” The author has done extensive testing. His article states "The ZooMed 5.0 fluorescent lamps are at the top of the ladder in terms of meeting these specific requirements (i.e., the best “usable” UV-B). Use at least two of these lamps to achieve the desired exposure levels."
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 12, 2003 5:17:47 GMT -8
Thanks for clarifying this, Tesa I haven't read Bob's article yet. I didn't realize UVBs at 30-40 were ok. I've been trying so hard to get 50 uvbs w/o too much heat. This will be much easier.
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Post by Tesa on Nov 12, 2003 5:22:05 GMT -8
ya know.....I dont thin it said anything about heat emmission......I'm gonna have to check the article again now. He did recommend 2 Reptisuns 5.0's.....that's what I'm going for.
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 12, 2003 6:14:35 GMT -8
I think we need to remove the cover that is above the bulbs and the salesman at CBD says they do NOT emit heat. But I did read somewhere that the ends of the fixture can heat up. We'll need to check that out.
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Post by mark42 on Dec 18, 2003 14:32:59 GMT -8
I wonder if the tanning bed tubes (wolff systems, et. al.) would be any good (not sure if they're UVa or UVb).
The reason I thought of this is that I was also wondering if Reptile UV tubes can harm your eyes. The Tanning Beds are very vehement about users needing to wear protective goggles.
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Dec 19, 2003 0:49:01 GMT -8
Hey Mark! Glad you're in the Zone now! I really think you will get much better help here since it's FOCUSED on igs. Plus Tesa and Dominick have great connections to get that "odd" information that plagues us all. As far as your lighting comment... I'm clueless. When you get a chance, post your story on the Introduction section. I'm sure everyone here will get a kick out of it. Good luck building that cage this weekend!
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Post by Tesa on Dec 19, 2003 5:27:31 GMT -8
Hi Mark Glad you joined us. Some reptile lights are potentially harmful to humans. Mercury vapor lights in particular--due to the increased intensity. Here's a link where you can read a bit more. www.anapsid.org/mercuryvapor2.htmlTanning bulbs emit both UVA and UVB. The UVB % is in the same range as the ones we use for our igs. (5%-7%) The fluorescent tubes used for our igs are basically the same as tanning bed bulbs, exept in size. Also, in a tanning bed there are about 300 tubes (yeah so I exaggerate ;D) rather than the one or two that we use for igs. Our human eyeballs are safe unless we bask under the light with our igs and stare at the "sun". ;D
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Post by mark42 on Dec 19, 2003 10:47:02 GMT -8
I have a tanning light canopy (essentially the top half of a tanning bed). It's got 7 tubes... Maybe I should let the iguana bask under it.
If I lay him on my chest, I could get an interesting tan ;D
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Dec 20, 2003 1:29:28 GMT -8
lol... just be sure you post a pic of that tan!
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Post by Tesa on Dec 20, 2003 7:14:02 GMT -8
it could become the next big craze!! ;D
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Post by dominick on Dec 23, 2003 8:10:54 GMT -8
LMAO Mark-
And Tesa right, it could become a craze! I'd surely want one!
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Post by mark42 on Dec 23, 2003 8:23:35 GMT -8
If I wore some sleeves, I could have a reverse farmer tan... my arms and the iguana shadow would be white, and the area a tank-top would normally cover would be tan.
You can buy small stickers at tanning boutiques in shapes like hearts and stars... I wonder if they have a small lizard shape available.
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Dec 24, 2003 1:11:52 GMT -8
He's been an ig owner for less than a month, but he's whipped already!! ;D That didn't take long!
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Post by mark42 on Dec 24, 2003 11:43:35 GMT -8
Whipped, hissed at, and bitten!
But he's actually almost tame now, and the bite was due to the dog scaring him and my trying to pick him up before he had calmed down enough.
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Dec 25, 2003 0:24:32 GMT -8
I didn't mean that kind of whipped!
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