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Posted by JLD on August 22, 2002 at 13:46:33:
In Reply to: Confused about UVB! (long) posted by Mic on August 07, 2002 at 09:54:28:
The BEST answer I can give you is to have you do some of your own research. Invest the few hundred dollars in a radiometer, I think you will be surprised as to what you find out about the bulbs! I can provide you with anecdotal information backed with some scientific study but I truely feel the best information you can get is that which you collect yourself.
To add a little more confusion to your lot, it's not just dependant on the wattage of the bulb and the percentage of UV, it also has EVERYTHING to do with the distance of the bulb from the target (which in this case is an animal). I noticed that you referred to the Reptisun 5.0 as having 5% UV. The more inportant question that you should is ask is, 5% of what? David Krughoff, Boston University and Phillips Lighting have all done some amazing tests. Tests that for the most part you can duplicate in your own back yard.
Should you decide to do your own testing, you will find that UV measurements vary from bulb to bulb, regardless of the wattage. I can take 2 brand new Reptisun 5.0 bulbs right from the box and get completely different readings from them. I have also found the same to be true of ActiveUv bulbs, Powersun bulbs and other floresent.
Despite what ANYONE will tell you, UVB is necessary for diurnal reptiles period end of it. Whether that UVB comes from natural sunlight or a bulb, these animals require it to truely thrive.
