How long does a UVB tube last

[RaptonX]

Ok, a reptisun 5.0 is said to last 6 months, but is that of continuous use? Because such a bulb is only on for 12 hours or less (depending on the time of year I set the timer) So does that mean it is actually 3 months of continuous use??? I don't think the lamps lose it from shelf life, not that quick.

also, My Iggy is about 5 feet long now(god he was hardly a foot in 2004), should I have more then one UVB lamp now? I also give him sun when I can.

[prism_wolf]

You should have always had more than one bulb. This is one of the things we try to make sure people understand when buying fluorescents. Always use two.

6 months of normal 10-12 hours a day use. This is not based with them running 24/7. My two 5.0s actually lasted nearly 2 years, but I would NEVER suggest this without having a UVB meter to measure the decay rate. When you're ready to buy a new light...buy TWO 48" fl. bulbs if you prefer to stay with those.

...and natural sun sure does more good than anything you can buy! :-D

[RaptonX]

Yeah, It's probably better to get a sunning cage for him, or build one, not sure.....He seems to do pretty well when I take him outside. Am also needing to build a new indoor enclosure as well. As the cage length is 42 inches. He roams around the room bobbing his head each time he gets to a higher point when he is not warming himself.

Just how many hours a week was it, was it 4 hours of sun a week... I know there is no such thing as too much UVB.

[IguanaKing]

About an hour per day of natural sunlight should give him the UVB he needs, but this will depend on time-of-day, cloud cover, etc. There is actually a such thing as too much UVB, but his natural thermoregulatory behavior should take care of that little problem when he's outside. Just make sure to build a shady spot into his sunning cage so he can retreat to that when he gets warm enough, this will shelter him from both the IR and UVB from the sun.

I also have a set of fluorecent tubes that are coming up on 2-years, and still producing 96uW/cm2 at 18". Just so you know, tubes that are run 24-hours per day actually last longer than they do in our normal 12-on/12-off usage because the heating and cooling has a tendancy to shorten their life. Definitely stick to the 12-on/12-off cycle though. Also, don't use my distance as an example for setting your own tubes up. My tubes are quite a bit more powerful than Reptisun 5.0s, and I have a UVB meter.

[RaptonX]

Ok, I got the double 36 inch reptisun lamps, and a lamp that i am assembling. Is it ok if it faces outwards, on the wall of the cage, or do I need it angled...also, do I need to put some kind of cage wire around it, to protect the bulbs??

[prism_wolf]

prismwolf said:

buy TWO 48" fl. bulbs if you prefer to stay with those.

The UVB is very weak when it comes to the ends of a fl. tube. It's only strongest in the middle while being very weak on the ends. A 36" length does not cover enough of a 5' ig for good UVB emissions.

Once you're ready to put up the lights...directly overhead is best. If you place it on the wall where it shines in his eyes...well...it will shine in his eyes. This could actually cause eye damage. Overhead facing straight down is optimal.

There is a nifty little trick learned from a member on another list from the UK to increase the UVB emissions from the tubes. Line the back of the fixture with aluminum foil, shiny side out. Allow the foil to curve in an arc. Do NOT follow the sharp angles. By allowing the foil to curve it "collects" the UVB in a tighter field and aims a more focussed and condensed UVB reading onto the iguana...by nearly double the amount (depending upon the
surface color of the inside of the fixture, white being the most reflective will give you up to a 22% increase...less reflective will increase this percentage).