Been looking at these bulbs, and the packaging says that they cannot/shouldn't be controlled by a thermostat? I suppose this is because it will affect the uv output, but how are you supposed to safely use them? Anyone?

I don't understand this, UV bulbs are not used as a heat source but for additional lighting for viewing or for reptiles that require UV sources such as Chameleons etc. So why would you want to add it to a thermostat? If you want it to turn on and off use a timer!

What reptile is it for? Depending on what reptile you have will determine what UV lighting (if any) is needed, there is still some debate on whether snakes benfit from UV Lighting, but I use a 2.0 UV striplight for additional viewing. A chameleon for example would benefit greatly from a D3 UV bulb as this will help them synthesize calcium. Your best bet is to find what your reptiles needs are and set up appropriately, be it a spot bulb, heat mat, ceramic etc on a thermostat of some kind and then a UV depending on the needs!

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Thanks for the reply. I would anticipate that the use of any large 100 watt bulb, would produce a relatively high amount of heat (the instructions indicate this), which i would expect from a non fluorescent source of light. Bearing this in mind i would consider that the unit would need to be run through some sort of regulator to avoid 'cooking' your reptiles, as you would presumably with any relatively high wattage heat emmitting unit? Hope this has clarified my intial query?

Cheers

the uv bulbs are used for heat as well as uv. i use powersuns which are the same. you can't use a thermostat with them because they have a built in one. to regulate the temp i just make sure i get the right wattage. if it still isn't hot enough i add another bulb till i get the required heat.

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1 kimberlys rock monitor, 1 yemen chameleon
1 freckled monitor, 1 bosc monitor
4 green anoles, 1 usa green tree frog
3 whites tree frogs, 1 water dragon
1 kune kune pig
1 micro pig
2 dogs

and i just don't see the point in them..yes they last longer and have a higher uv output but i reckon they would be a pain in the summer. i prefer tubes and a separate spotlight. easier to regulate temps..providing you feed your feeder food a D3 source the lower output of a tube is more than compensated for...

UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test
Reptile UV Info - The Reptile Ultraviolet, Heating and Product Evaluation Information Center

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ive never had any problems with them in the summer. i prefere the temps to change now and then anyway.

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1 kimberlys rock monitor, 1 yemen chameleon
1 freckled monitor, 1 bosc monitor
4 green anoles, 1 usa green tree frog
3 whites tree frogs, 1 water dragon
1 kune kune pig
1 micro pig
2 dogs

Excellent thanks very much for the opinions, info and links a great help! Obiously didn't explain my self fully in my intial post!