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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 26, 2007 8:40:46 GMT -8
This compiled study is the latest done on compact fluorescents which many, many people use. There is the layman's report on the main page of www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm . Read the "Special Report". There's heavier reading in more technical data format, and actual pictures of animals case histories and what to look for in successive links. In acquiring the two veiled chameleons several months ago I have been delving more into the low/high level UVB spectrums and have been surprised at the differences...and damage this can cause. I've been pushing the low level bulbs to new...and old cham owners knowing what this can do, but this can also happen with igs...especially the babies. I have even been asking on other forums for all the shorter old iguana bulbs getting changed out that still produce light, but have reached the recommended replacement time frame to use for the chams. I have a meter to test them for their usefulness...:-) Take this report seriously. Animals have died, many have permanent tissue damage around the eyes. Something to keep in mind when new people come here asking for advice on the compacts...and if they already have them...a good reason to inform them of the potential danger until the companies fix the problem...for which there have been good responses from the companies that have addressed the issue.
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 26, 2007 10:28:32 GMT -8
I would like to point out that if your reptile is doing fine under these lights right now...no sign of the symptoms listed on the website...just keep your eye on them for any changes. If the animal starts responding negatively, THEN discontinue use of these lights. Make sure your distances are right and adequate escape (such as shade provided) are present... 8).
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Post by George-n-Me on Sept 26, 2007 19:12:25 GMT -8
I just read that website..wow...Thats pretty intense..I looked into the "case histories" link and it had a table of some of the reptiles that were affected by the lights. They didn't have iguana's on the list, however, all the animals that were listed showed the symptoms of swollen eyelids and/or eyes closed. Just thought I'd let you guys know so you had something to look for if you use these lights. Edit: the above is for the ZooMed Reptisun 10.0 Compact Lamps Here's the link if you wanna look at all the side effects for different lamps www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor-cases.htm
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 27, 2007 5:05:35 GMT -8
It's for the Reptisun 10.0, 5.0 compacts, Big Apple Herpetilogical lamps and a new linear called R-Zilla Desert 50 series. All of these have the potential for causing the photo-kerato-conjunctivitis.
No iguanas are on the list, but I WOULD be cautious with the babies under these lights.
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Post by IguanaKing on Sept 27, 2007 10:03:45 GMT -8
Thanks for the link, Veronica. I guess that takes the pressure off for finally getting my lamps shipped to Frances. The only time I have available to ship internationally is when I'm at work, and its been too nuts around here for the past year to get everything in order so it gets through customs without a problem. One thing to note on the Big Apple Lamps (the ones I was going to send for testing), the particular case being referenced was apparently a Veiled Chameleon whose owner had placed those lamps 3 inches away from the basking area. After reading about that, I tested my lamps at 3 inches and got a reading of around 700uW! No wonder that poor animal had problems! I have been using them successfully for almost 2 years now for my iguanas and haven't had any issues. However, it should be noted that my placement of these lamps is well outside the minimum distance of 10" (I have them at 18"), and that I have a HUGE enclosure which provides my igs with plenty of sheltered places to go to completely escape the UVB rays. I think this is another factor in why this sickness generally doesn't occur in the wild, because the poor animal isn't forced to be exposed to it for 12 hours a day. One thing that I discussed with Frances was the strange results I was getting with the Big Apple compacts. The UVB strength didn't follow a predictable pattern of attenuation as I got further away. It appeared to be doing that, but I hit a distance where the strength actually spiked. Frances told me that it reminded her of the headlight of a car, with a small area of a high UVB level because of the fixture it was in. Typically, a compact UVB bulb is going to be screwed into a domed, reflective fixture...and that acts like a parabolic mirror. So that could explain the problems many people are having with compact flourescents. But this is all definitely good information to know. ;D
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 27, 2007 10:34:31 GMT -8
Good info to know on the fixtures. That would make a difference...some definitely being more reflective than others.
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Post by {B|@CKGH05T} on Sept 29, 2007 1:43:12 GMT -8
so are we saying stick with the normal UVB?and btw is there a prefered distance to have the bulb set away from the basking spot? I'm trying to get as much info as possible before I purchase my ig. thanks
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 29, 2007 5:20:32 GMT -8
Normal UVB is good...The linear bulbs are still fine...just stay away from the compacts right now and the R-Zilla...distances will vary. For tubes it's 6" - 8" from the back of the iguana while basking, for merc vapors...no closer than 12".
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Post by {B|@CKGH05T} on Sept 29, 2007 5:38:05 GMT -8
i will be using a tube anyway so if i fix the tube and reflector about 7 inchs above the basking spot maybe even a foot away from it , that will be fine yeah?
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 29, 2007 5:52:47 GMT -8
No...a foot is too far. No farther than 8" for basking.
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Post by {B|@CKGH05T} on Sept 29, 2007 5:53:32 GMT -8
ok no problem
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Post by IguanaKing on Sept 29, 2007 7:36:28 GMT -8
What type of lamp will you be using? Its always important to know that, and to at least follow manufacturer minimums, but sometimes the packaging can be misleading. BTW...the 3" reading with my Mystics is not the nearly 700uW I mentioned earlier, that was the 6" reading of 598uW (nearly 600 as opposed to nearly 700). But, the 3" reading is either 999uW, or it is beyond the measurement capabilities of my meter...either way, 3" is bad.
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Post by {B|@CKGH05T} on Sept 29, 2007 7:54:16 GMT -8
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Post by Merlin on Sept 29, 2007 12:44:55 GMT -8
The numbers IK is using are readings of the amount of UVB delivered to a given spot from a given distance taken using a meter that measures UVB radiation. The link that you gave regarding the bulbs is a European site and I have never heard of these bulbs and so would be very wary of them. What you need if you are going with flourescent tubes are the Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 or Iguana light 5.0. They are actually the same light with different packaging. These have been tried and true in reptile industry for years. And you will need a 2 tube 48 inch fixture. I would also go with a ZooMed CHE.
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Post by {B|@CKGH05T} on Sept 29, 2007 17:30:34 GMT -8
did I forget to mention I'm English...British ...btw I dony know for sure if I will deffinatly be using this make.
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