do we need exo terras uv lights?

[lgscas0708]

ok this isnt how it sounds,

im asking do we need to use named branded lights for our reps? i mean theres a lot of people on here with colletions of lizards all needing uv bulbs and in all honesty if you cant afford to go out tomorrow and buy 3 new 2 foot tubes costs 18 pounds each or new fittings you shouldnt be keeping those lizards in the first place,

but all im wondering is isnt there anyone or a strict type of bulb which can be brought in bulk such as pack of 5/10 ect from an electrical distributors that carries the same internals and would fill the same requirements for said lizard/snake

because as with most things zoomed/exoterra ect, all were paying for is the name surely?

sorry if similar posts are kicking around its just curiosity eating away in my humble brain,

[Pendragon]

Hi mate,

When it comes to spotlights for heat and light, then anything will do, a 50p 60watt spotlight from Asda will do the same job as a £4.50 Day Glow from Exo Terra.

But when it comes to uvb/uva, these are specialized bulbs, the manufacturing process to convert light into ultra violet light and the cost of the special glass these tubes are made from, (remember glass blocks around 98% of uvb, so the glass used in these tubes is very high tech) is very expensive.

Zoomed/Arcadia/Megaray are the only brands to go with when it comes to uv

Jay

[lgscas0708]

cheers for the info mate, was just curious as wasnt too sure ill stick with the exo terra i rekon as my local pet shop reguarly keeps them in stock

[Pendragon]

Originally Posted by lgscas0708

cheers for the info mate, was just curious as wasnt too sure ill stick with the exo terra i rekon as my local pet shop reguarly keeps them in stock

You can do, but to be honest the exo terra uv tubes are a bit pants, they are only around half the strength of the Zoomed/Arcadia tubes, and as you need to let an animal like beardies get to within 2"~4" of one of these tubes fitted with a reflector, then you are very limited to where you place an exo terra

Jay

[Jim2109]

as Jay has said, reptile UV bulbs arent just a UV bulb, they are extremely specialised. they output light across a specific range of wavelengths and are designed to give reptiles the optimum intake of UV light, ideally representative of what the sun would provide them with in the wild. but at the same time without so much of the dangerous range of wavelengths that can cause eye and skin damage.

the tubes are almost certainly made by a general company that makes all sorts of non specialised ones as well, but you probably cant buy them without the brand name on them, and the prices arent excessive anyway. you can get a 3' Arcadia D3 for about £20, if it lasts 6 months then £40/year really isnt that much, i spend that on food every month for 3 water dragons.