UVB 2.0 Alternatives

[tonewheelz]

Just got a JCP this week and had the enclosure all set up with a infrared for heat and an Exo Terra UVB 2.0 for aesthetic/display purposes. The lights are plugged into a Fluker light fixture. 1 day later, the Exo Terra UVB 2.0 bulb started flickering and burnt out. Tried it in other fixtures, just to be sure it was the bulb.

Long story short, can't find another UVB 2.0 in my area, so I'll need to order one and/or get the defective bulb replaced by Hagen (Exo Terra). My question is, will using a 5.0 bulb have any ill effects? What about a general household compact fluorescent light bulb, such as a GE 13 watt?

[Sauzo]

Snakes don't need UVB but if you want to use one, a 5.0 is fine. You do know though that plastic covers will block out 100% of the UVB and using screen between the bulb and animal will block out around 50% of it. I only use UVB on my beardie and she gets a 10.0 T5 HO Reptisun. A regular compact fluorescent bulb is fine, pretty much any bulb as long as the snake cant come into contact with it and burn themselves.

[tonewheelz]

Ty! It's been a long time since I've owned a reptile and I seem to recall back then that there was a consensus that some UVB bulbs can cause issues with the eyes.

As mentioned, I simply want this for aesthetics, so I'll go ahead and use the GE 13 watt until I can get the Repti Glo 2.0 (it looks better).

[Sauzo]

Oh coil UVB used to be bad for lizards and turtles as they gave off low spectrum UVB which would damage their eyes. Not sure if they got fixed but I would imagine so. I've always just used Zoo Med Reptisun either the T8s for small cages or T5 HOs for larger cages.