Although I typically buy Reptisun bulbs (13 and 26w compact fluorescents and T5 high output tubes ) through Amazon, I thought I’d purchase some Exo Terra Repti-Glo UVB’s so I could compare the two brands. Unfortunately, none of the three Repti-Glo bulb worked on arrival, so I won’t be trying them again (maybe they just don’t ship well?).
Last week, I experienced my first issue with a Reptisun bulb. Because Amazon’s 30 day return window had already closed, I emailed Zoo Med directly explaining that the lamp had separated at the base while in use and I sent along a photo of the lamp and a copy of my receipt. They responded immediately and I received a replacement two days later.
Although a lot people say you have to replace these every 6 months, I follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and replace all of the bulbs on an annual basis on New Year’s Day. I do, however, keep a spare of each type of bulb on hand in case one burns out mid-year. If you’re new to UVB, beware there’s a ton of old info online saying that compact fluorescent bulbs aren’t safe. While it’s true there were issues years ago, they were redesigned and are safe now under normal circumstances. I am, however, extremely careful to purchase bulbs from reputable manufacturers and distributors only – I won’t buy cheap or generic knock-off brands.
I use UVB in all the terrariums, including with corns snakes, as the latest studies/literature indicate that all these guys benefit from some exposure (just make sure there are hides available). I use13w minis primarily in 10 gallon terrariums with inhabitants that don’t require high amounts of UVB (I make sure that they can’t get too close to the the light) in 5.5” dome fixtures which cast a smaller footprint, though I’m also using the same arrangement for my daughter’s diurnal, shade-dwelling lizard whose terrarium is twice as large (it’s in a double dome fixture with his basking lamp). There are some excellent iso-irradiance charts available online that can give you an idea of how far the UVB will spread and what the intensity of the rays will be. Just be sure the bulb is near the heat lamp as reptiles need both heat and UVB for vitamin D synthesis. Also, be aware the if you have a mesh screen top, the finer the mesh is, the less UVB the animal will get (I’ve read that the reduction ranges from 30-50%); however, a reflective dome can focus/intensify the UVB which can make up for the loss-it just depends on your setup). Likewise, never place ordinary glass or plastic between the UVB bulb and the lid- they’ll filter out the rays.
I’ve also bought the 26w model for her diurnal snake’s enclosure. It’s installed in a canopy light next to the domed basking light in a 40 gallon breeder tank (36x18x18”), providing a large UVB gradient that overlaps the temperature gradient. I set the UVB to come on an hour after the incandescent and LED lights and it shuts off an hour before they do so Race has an opportunity to bask with and without it present. The 26w lamp, however, was too long for the 5.5” mini domes I buy.
All-in all, the mini compact fluorescents are great for smaller enclosures and for those guys that don’t require a ton of UVB or for creating more specific zones of exposure. The 13w lamps also fit smaller dome fixtures as well as canopy tops, but they can fluctuate several dollars in price so you may want to watch the cost. I’ll definitely be buying more.
Rolling Thunder
Reagan Simpson
SK
Deborah Grigsby