Best UVB light strip

[sam1974x]

Just a quickie ....

I need to replace my UVB strip on the turtles tank. They have at the moment a 5.0 and was wondering if I replace it with the same or the 10 ?

Also is one brand better than others ?

Its approx 8 -9 inches away from the basking spot.

Any recommendations ?

[Graham]

A 10% is better, and a compact is much better than a strip as it concentrates the light where it does the most good.

A 5% at 8-9" is doing very little anyway, it would need to be no more than 6" away to have any significant effect, and be fitted with an efficient reflector.

I use Repti Glo 10.0 compacts.

[sam1974x]

Yeah I guess it wasnt probably doing much after reading up a bit more. This is for my maps and a strip light was easier at the time so we didnt have to spend more money on clamp lamps.

The 2 YBS's have the 10 compact.

Seeing as I dont have a reflector for the strip light ... at 8 -9" away, would they get much uv from the 10 ? Or shall I just scrap it and get the clamp and coil ?

I cant decide and I am sick of looking on ebay now lol

[Graham]

I would go for the compact personally, OK you have to buy a Clamp Lamp but they're not expensive, and compacts are normally cheaper to replace than tubes so you save in the long run, and of course they're a better lamp for the purpose.

[sam1974x]

Thanks Graham

One more thing - would the small clamp lamp size be ok or do I need the medium or large ?

Oh - and how far away from the basking spot ?

[AnythingWithAShell]

The small size clamp lamp is fine for the compacts, as it takes up to 150w, I think. May be 100w, I can't remember! The compacts only come in 13 or 26w so will be dandy

As for distance, if you just clamp the lamp to the tank and direct it at the basking area, that will be fine. Unless your basking area is really low due to a very low water level, but since it's for maps I'm assuming that's not the case?

[Dogmatix]

Sorry to hijack. But how long do the compacts last?

[AnythingWithAShell]

Same as the strips. Replace every 6 months.

[Graham]

They should really be changed every 6 months same as conventional tubes, however, unlike most tubes compacts use an electronic internal ballast which in theory ought to make them last longer, you'd have to be able to test them though to confirm this.