ReptiGlo UVB?

[Xaila]

Hiya,

I'm just wondering if Exo Terra's ReptiGlo 10.0 UVB tubes are considered safe to use for bearded dragons these days. I've read before that they were causing eye problems for some lizards, but honestly all of those posts/articles are over 3 years old at this point. I haven't found any recent mentions of people having problems with these bulbs. Also, I'm not sure if those problems were mostly only with the coil-type bulbs. I'm planning on getting an 18" linear bulb.

Any help is much appreciated.

[kitedemon]

NO 100% NOT safe!!!! I have a meter (solar tech 6.2) and bought a exoterra 10.0 bulb (liner 2 foot) last year it tested 700 µW/cm² @ 12 inches. The max should be not more than 260µW/cm² (beardie) and that is high. I would suggest ONLY bulbs made in Germany, (zoo med reptisun 10.0 for example) be used.

I would also suggest the meter (6.2 solar tech ) rather than change bulbs at an interval you can easily check the output and measure them and change when needed. I get 9 month to 18 months out of mine but it varies. The meter saves money by not changing expensive bulbs every 6 months.

great source of info

http://www.uvguide.co.uk

- - - Updated - - -

Avoid compacts completely, as well.

[kameo37]

I second what kitedemon said...no to the reptiglo. They literally cause blindness, among other issues.
Get a reptisun 10.0 tube bulb.

[Xaila]

Good to know. Wasn't sure if it was an old issue that was corrected or not. I'd rather not gamble though, so ReptiSun it is.

[kitedemon]

As of 3 months ago I measured very very high rates of UV from one so no they have not fixed it yet. The real killer is UV is blocked very easily as well (for example a metal screen blocks up to 20%. Regular glass blocks up to 95%. (can't get a sunburn through a window. ) I think this is how they get away with such poor product qualities. Many use them in conjuction with something that brings dangerously high to correct or low. I am not sure how to manage this aside from the meter.