UVB

Question: UVB...................................… is it true that you could use spot lights or flood light from a home depot or lowes and it stills provides uvb?

Answer: Actually, "ded65", you're wrong. Home Depot, Lowe's, and Wal-mart do carry a full spectrum bulb which produces UVB made by General Electric called "sunshine", although it only produces a small amount, slightly over 1%. I personally use the higher output bulbs made specifically for reptiles, but I have known many people who have used these lower output bulbs with no problems.

Question: Can iguanas survive with just a UVB light and no real sunlight? I was wondering if a 30% UVA and 5% UVB tube light is enough for a baby iguana to stay healthy with. If so, does that mean I will never have to give it real sunlight, because at the moment I have no way or providing it. Please reply.

Answer: Im not sure, but I think it would be able to survive without sunlight as long as there is a UVB light. But wouldn't it be better for the iguana to recieve actual sunlight?

Question: How long can my red eared slider live without a uvb light? When the pet store owner sold it to me yesterday he said all i need is a tank, water , and rock. Come to find out I need atleast a 30 gallon tank (20 gallons to big from the tank he sold me) and A uvb light. Well tomorrow i'm purchasing a 30 gallon tank for him and within this week i'll have the uvb light. Can my red ear tough it out for a few days until I get the neccesary accessories?

Answer: dumb pet store people, you need at least 6 times more than that! >:[ 30 gallon tank?. that will probably only last half a year at most. you're throwing your money away by getting a 30 gallon, it'll be easily outgrown. best to get a 50 gallon, they last a good 2 years before being upgraded to a 75 gallon or 100 gallon tank (75 or 100 are the standard adult size tanks for MALE sliders, females need a 120 gallon stock tank or a pond) tank, water and a rock hahhahahaahaha. what about basking bulb, clamp lamp, uvb bulb, uvb fixture, heater, filter and a basking area? does that not count? my o my these people get on my nerves. yes a uvb light is ONE of the ten things you need. i cant even begin to tell you how extremely crucial it is, it is basically vital for proper bone development and growth for short. Reptisun 5.0 is the best bulb out there http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Cat… there are a number of fixtures to place the bulb in, slimline fixtures are the most common, and there are deluxe hoods that fit the tank as well, such as: http://www.reptiledepot.com/New%20Folder… you need a basking bulb as well. a simple 75 watt heat bulb will do : http://www.petmountain.com/shop/standard… and the clamp lamp fixture: http://www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-s/SFK2… the basking dock: http://happyturtle.ms11.net/images/dock.… the heater!! water needs to be 76-82F: visitherm stealth is a reliable brand: http://www.jlaquatics.com/headers/heater… the filter!!! (Rena xp3 is a canister filter, canisters work for 50 gallons and above, thats why its best to have the 50 gallon now, so you wont have to waste money on a cheap lousy filter, then get another filter 2 months later) http://www.thatpetplace.com/images/large… the insects (remember you cant just feed them anything!! they need a huge variety to be healthy. babies need to be started off with a high protein diet) : http://www.exo-terra.com/images/shared/p… the insects need to be dusted with a calcium supplement to be healthy, otherwise they aren't that useful or nutritious: rep-cal and herptivite are high quality brands: http://celebritygeckos.com/Portals/28/Ho… turtles that are over 3 inches need to have a diet with LOTS of dark leafy greens and aquatic plants because turtles become more herbivorous as they age: the basic 4: http://www.auntjeni.com/IMAGES/greens%20… ATP housing has hundreds of pictures on the subject: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/ho… e-mail me for any more things.......

Question: How does UVB intensity vary with solar elevation above horizon? Vitamin D is produced in exposed skin, proportionally to the intensity of UV-B radiation from the sun. The intensity of UVB varies smoothly, from a maximum when the sun is directly overhead, to a minimum when the sun is about to set. Given a normal, temperate zone ozone blanket, how does the UV-B intensity vary with angle from 0 degrees (overhead) to 90 degrees (about to set)? Sorry, but for consistency with the "Question", let 0 degrees be at the horizon and 90 degrees be at the zenith.

Answer: The formula is as follows: Let a = altitude of sun above horizon (in degrees, 0 to 90) Let I = relative intensity of UVB (relative to 1 with sun at zenith) Let K = magnitude extinction at zenith (=6 for UVB) Then I = 10 ^ -(K * (1- sin a) / (2.5 * sin a)) Here are some values: a=90 I=1 a=80 I=0.92 a=70 I=0.70 a=60 I=0.43 a=50 I=0.18 a=40 I=0.05 a=30 I=0.004 Here's how this is derived: K is the extinction of UVB (or any other band of wavelength) when the sun is at the zenith, and is usually given in magnitudes. According to http://www.3towers.com/sGrasslands/Essay… K is 6.0 magnitudes. If K is small, the intensity changes very little as a function of altitude. For visible light, K is only 0.3, so the visible brightness in daylight changes very little as the sun changes altitude. Since K is 6.0 for UVB, the intensity changes considerably. By the way, this value of K is a typical value. If you lived under the ozone hole, K would be reduced. In case you're not familiar with the magnitude system, here are a couple of examples: - If K is 2.5 and the sun is at the zenith, only 10% of the light reaches the ground. - If K is 5.0 and the sun is at the zenith, only 1% of the light reaches the ground. The fraction that gets to the ground is given by 10^-(magnitudes_of_extinction / 2.5) If the sun is at the zenith, the extinction is K magnitudes. If the sun is at some other altitude a, the extinction is K / (sin a) because it is passing through a greater length of atmosphere. (This is sometimes called a "cosecant law", because the extinction can also be expressed as K*(csc a).) Therefore, we have the following: fraction transmittance at zenith = 10^-(K/2.5) fraction at any altitude = 10^-(K/(2.5 * (sin a))) To make the result convenient, we can divide the second quantity by the first. This tells us how much light gets through when the sun is at altitude a, relative to how much light gets through when the sun is at the zenith. This gives the formula mentioned at the beginning of this answer. Note that the UVB goes down dramatically as the sun gets lower in the sky. I sunburn easily, and have found that I don't get any sunburn when the sun's altitude is lower than 33 degrees; so I don't bother with sunscreen at certain times of the day or year. One more thing: The value K can be defined accurately at a single wavelength. UVB, however, is not a single wavelength, but a range of wavelengths (namely, 290 to 320 nm), and the value of K must vary over this range. A more detailed analysis would start with K as a function of wavelength and integrate over wavelengths. -- edit: The above answer is for a person at sea level. If you are at a high elevation, there would be a greater UVB intensity (and the value of K would be smaller). Also, the website I mentioned above has a nice graph of UVB intensity versus the altitude of the sun. -- edit: I mentioned that UVB covers the range of wavelengths from 290 to 320 nm. These seem to be the usual values, but some sources specify slightly different ranges.

Question: Is a UVA lightbulb the same as a UVB lightbulb when referring to the needs of reptiles? We just got a Bearded Dragon and the pet store worker told us which light we needed (UVA) and i've been doing a lot of reading the last few weeks, and everywhere i've seen, say get UVB. Is there a difference? Can he/she absorb/process/digest better with one over the other?

Answer: There is a huge difference. You need a UVB light. UVA lights just help meet their phsycological needs.

Question: How do I make sure my reptile light is properly giving off UVB? I have a long fluorescent UVB bulb, but when it is turned on, the light it gives off does not seem to have some of the common traits of UVB light (for example, something white does not turn blue). How do I make sure it's working?

Answer: first of all UVB bulbs should be replaced every 6 months so if it is older than 6 months you should replace it, secondly you cant tell if it is giving off UVB properly, i suggest getting a new one

Question: Whats the difference between a UVB light and a basking light for my bearded dragon? I have two lamps that i keep on during the day, one is a generic daytime heat lamp for reptiles. the other is a compact (incandescent lightbulb sized) soft-white flourescent. After researching on beardeddragon.org they talk alot about basking lights and UVB lighting. Whats the difference between the lights i have and those? Also, do the lights i currently use fit the bill or should i make a trip to the pet store for better lighting?

Answer: The incandescent bulb is normally described as the basking light, and used in conjunction with basking temp (the warmest temp in the enclosure.) Although, either light can be viewed as a "basking light." Reptiles sit under both bulbs and bask in the light and/or heat they provide. I highly recommend you ditch the coiled UVB light and get a long tube style fluorescent bulb instead. Coiled UVB lights have a high instance of causing severe eye damage and/or blindness in reptiles. They also have trouble sustaining UVB output; they ware out faster. UVB lighting should be replaced every year, after which time UVB will no longer be produced, even if visible light still is. Coiled bulbs need to be replaced more often for the same effect. ZooMed makes one of the the best long tube style fluorescent bulbs to date. You can also consider a MVB (mercury vapor bulb) which will produce heat and UVB light from one bulb. T-rex make one of the best models to date. You can get the better bulbs offline cheaper than in a store in most instances. Here's a good site to try: http://lllreptile.com/

Question: How long do I keep my UVB light on for? for my bearded dragon, do I keep the UVB light as long as the basking lamp? (I'm planning to attach both to a timer and they'll both turn on and off at the same time obviously.) thanks i already know beardies need a night time cycle. and that requires their basking lamp to be shut off too, therefore I'm asking should the UVB be on as long as the basking lamp. in simpler terms, can the UVB have the same on/off settings as the basking lamp.

Answer: No. Your beardie is dirunal, and needs a night cycle inclusive of cool down temps. A UTH pad on a rheostat should be providing his temperature for the night cycle. UVB is important, but your beardie should be getting real sun exposure, too. The light should be on for no more than 12 hr. (A long summer day). As YOUR sun deminishes - so should his. Decrease the light slowly over the season, down to 8-9 hr. in the winter months. He should have calcium with D3 while using UVB. Make sure the UVB souce is repltile safe. Google for the sources currently causing blindness, etc. Be informed about MBD, and how to avoid it. Absorable calcium is a must. Heat/basking is important to growth and health. Do your homework, and research your animal.

Question: What is the difference between UVA light bulbs and UVB light bulbs? Which warms up leopard geckos? I would like to know the difference between UVA and UVB light bulbs. What uses are they for and can they affect a leopard gecko. I have a very cold room and it was suggested to me that use a heat lamp to keep the cage warm with the help of an under tank heater. I know that leo's don't need a heat lamp, but mine does. So which do I use UVA or UVB?

Answer: You do not use a UVA or UVB bulb. They do not produce heat and is only used for basking day reptiles like bearded dragons and are expensive. Use a heat mat for under tank heating and a red night bulb for ambient air temp ( they cannot see red light). U use this for all nocturnal animals like geckos. The red bulb can be used as a 24 hr heat source. This is what some experts recommend and most petshop owners.

Question: Where can I find UVB lighting for RES hatchlings? I've recently bought two baby RES turtles, but I'm very inexperienced with raising reptiles. I'm a bit confused about lighting and lamps for turtles...Is a heat lamp and UVB lighting the same thing? Do I need two separate lamps for the turtles? For UVB, where can I find decent lamps? I heard that infrared lamps did not work well, and also that incandescent lamps work fine (which I defintely know doesn't work now). Can someone recommend some brands for good lights? Thanks!

Answer: I like active UV heat (Mercury vapor.) They are a primo basking light. They throw UVB, heat, and natural basking light. This bulb is the only bulb you will need, trust me on this. http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php… You'll also need some way of adjusting the height to keep the basking spot around 88-90F. You can't use a dimmer on mercury vapor bulbs. Also, I highly recommend a 'clamp lamp' with a ceramic base, not a cheap plastic one, as it will fail, start smoking when you're not there, or worst case-start a fire. I tried powersun bulbs, but mine failed after 2 months, tried it again, same thing. The active UV heat bulbs kept on truckin' for years. Way worth the extra 10 bucks. Some pet stores will want to sell you what they have- a regular basking light, and a UVB lamp that requires a fluorescent fixture. This will cost you a lot more in the long run, as those bulbs are expensive, and they are only good for 6 months. The fixtures aren't cheap, either. Your turtles will love their active UV heat bulb, and will spend more time basking, and their colors will get brighter from all the UVB. The active UV heat bulb puts out 10 times more UVB than most of the fluorescent bulbs do, and will be much better, as the turtles have no reason to bask where the fluorescent light is, as it's not warm there.

Question: Is it alright to take reptiles outside during the warmer months for UVB rather than use artificial UVB? Like, during summer, is it fine to take a lizard/snake out(with supervision) in an aquarium or other container for UVB? If so, how much direct sunlight would be required compared to using an artificial UVB light?

Answer: Its fine to do so. Snakes actually don't need the light.. but most lizards do. It depends on your area- for example where I'm at in Colorado, the sun is much closer due to a higher elevation. I would not completely substitute sunlight for your artificial light, but its fine to take them outside. Watch them carefully though! :)

Question: What will happen to my turtle without a UVB light? I have a 3 month old RES and I still havnt got the UVB light. He has a heat lamp and I feed him reptile pellets, blood worms, and guppies. What will happen if I dont get the light right away?

Answer: Get it as soon as you can. Without proper lighting reptiles cant digest calcium properly and ther bones become weak and sometimes get warpped. Eventually it can kill them.

Question: How can you tell if your lotion contains both uva and uvb protection for spf? I started using a new face moisturizer and it says it has "helioplex" spf 20. But it doesn't say if it is both UVA and UVB. Here are the ingredients: Avobenzone 1.8% Homosalate 7% Octisalate 4% Octocrylene 1.5% Oxybenzone 2% Would you say that this is a good moisturizer to prevent wrinkles?

Answer: That will protect against UVA damage; Avobenzone is the UVA filter in that formulation, and it is stabilized by the octocrylene. The best sunscreen to prevent wrinkles is a sunscreen with zinc oxide. Avobenzone and other chemical filters degrade on the skin within TWO hours of being applied. Zinc oxide is a physical particle and it is impossible for the sun to break it down, any more than the sun could wear down a pebble. Zinc oxide particles protect against UVA and UVB, so you know any sunscreen with zinc oxide has full UVA/UVB protection. More information on zinc oxide here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article…

Question: How much UVB is required for a turtle tank? Im getting a tube fixture that holds 2 tubes 48 inches long. I am going to put only one reptiglo tube however. How much UVB. 8.0 UVB or 5.0 UVB. It is for a turtle tank, 75 gallons.

Answer: 5.0 is better because you will be heating up the water to much.

Question: Does a UVB bulb emit heat or do I need a seperate heat lamp for that? I have a water turtle and I've been using a Neodymium daytime heat light for him. Is this ok or does he need a seperate UVB bulb?

Answer: He needs a UVB bulb as well. Most UV fixtures don't produce heat, but mercury vapor bulbs do.

Question: How can i give my turtle UVA/UVB rays until i can get a light bulb for it? Shes a baby painted turtle and im getting a UVA/UVB light bulb really soon. I left her in the sunlight all day without anything blocking it. And i have a desk light for heat. I just got my turtle yesterday from a friend, so i have to buy them. Is that enough to give her some until i can get one in a few days?

Answer: If it is just a few days, relax. She will be fine. I would not put her in the sunlight ALL day with no place to go. She will not be harmed by 2 days without UVA/UVB, however you could bake her leaving her trapped in the sun. (unlikely but could happen) Just get it as soon as possible and your turtle will be fine.

Question: What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays? I dont know if I should pay more for a mostly UVA tanning bed. They say you have a less risk of cancer because UVB is more dangerous. Does UVA still cause wrinkles and cancer?

Answer: UVA (ultraviolet-A): long- wave solar rays of 320-400 nanometers (billionths of a meter). Although less likely than UVB to cause sunburn, UVA penetrates the skin more deeply, and is considered the chief culprit behind wrinkling, leathering, and other aspects of "photoaging." The latest studies show that UVA not only increases UVB 's cancer-causing effects, but may directly cause some skin cancers, including melanomas. UVB (ultraviolet-B): short-wave solar rays of 290-320 nanometers. More potent than UVA in producing sunburn, these rays are considered the main cause of basal and squamous cell carcinomas as well as a significant cause of melanoma.

Question: How do you give a full grown snapping turtle uvb lighting? How do you do that when your fishtank top is glass and uvb lighting rays cant penetrate glass nore are you suppose to have them anywhere near water it can cause a risk of shock or worse. And please don't suggest taking him outside there's no way i'm going to be picking up a 60pound snapping turtle to take him outside for sunshine, not happening/ maybe for the summer months but it's already starting to get cold out. Do they always have to be kept in water???

Answer: The only time snapping turtles leave the water is to lay their eggs or to migrate to another body of water. So supplying them with a way to get out of the water isn't necessary as with other species. What in world are you doing with a 60 pound snapper anyway? There is no way that you can care for a turtle that large and aggressive in a home aquarium. Not to mention it is probably illegal for you to have it in captivity anyway without a permit. You really should release it before it gets any later in the year. As for picking up the snapping turtle, that isn't a problem. As long as it is a common snapping turtle and not a soft shell, you can just grab it by the tail and pick it up. As long as you keep it away from your body, it can't bite you. Their necks aren't long enough to reach around to your hand so you are safe. Addition Information: Niccolo has pointed out to me in an email, that picking the turtle up by the tail carries with it the possibility of causing a spinal injury. This is true, and it should be noted that my recommendation was based upon assuring that no one would be hurt. There are other ways to pick them up, but I felt that there was too much risk of someone grabbing them the wrong way. So for the record I stand corrected on this; in regards to the welfare of the turtle.

Question: How far along my tortoises tank should i place his UVB lamp? I have just purchased a new tortoise and would like to know how far his UVB lamp show go across his tank? Whether i should buy a lamp that stretches the full length of the tank or that just stretches half way?

Answer: one that streches the full length would be better. but if u go for the smaller one the lamp must cover the basking spot but a full lenght is much much better

Question: How long should I keep a UVB on for? I recently got a bearded dragon and was wondering how long to keep the UVB light on for? I also have a heat lamp.

Answer: Hi, you can leave the UVB light on for the same amount of time as the heat lamp, about 12 to 14 hours at this time of year but make sure all the lights go off at night to keep things natural and not to stress him out.