UVB tube distance,... Tegu UVB requirement.

Anthony · Honored Member Joined: Apr 13, 2006 Posts: 151

How far should I set the UVB tubes from the floor, if it is against the wall and under the basking spot (heat lamp)?

If I were to switch the tube on 12 hours a day, what intensity UVB should be optimal for a tegu in microwatts/cm2? I have heard that they need much less UVB than say, iguanas, as tegus burrow a lot of the times.

worleygurl · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

The best fluorescent UVB tubes on the market (in my opinion, and also through testing by a very dedicated reptile group) are the Rept Sun 10.0s. At 6-8", your lizard is getting sufficient UVB. From what I have read, tegus still require the OPTION to bask 12 hours a day. I have my lights on timers and in the spring summer, I go with a 14 on, 10 off, and fall/winter, 10 on, 14 off. I just ran into the herp room and tested a 36" Repti Sun 10.0 that is about 8 months old and it read 42 uW/cm2 at 8"

My opinion on providing UVB for your tegu is, provide the best possible source you can, for minimum of 10 hours a day. If your tegu chooses not to bask under it for 10 hours a day, every day, that is his choice, but if you take the choice away from him, you don't really know for sure if he's getting enough.

For an even better bulb, check out http://www.reptileuv.com for a Mega Ray UVB bulb. It puts off heat and UVB, lasts longer, and provides more UVB than your typical fluorescent bulb.
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Kris, Herps they're not just a hobby, they're a way of life!

Anthony · Honored Member Joined: Apr 13, 2006 Posts: 151

I thankyou for your advice.

Was your 36 inch reptisun 10 8 months old giving off that intensity 1) Through a mesh? 2) With a reflector?

Is 42 uW/cm2 ideal for tegus? Its still quite low compared to say, what an iguana should get. I have two tube fixtures wired and I was planning to put two tubes so I can give more UVBs. I can also get Exo terra 8.0 readily here. I don't know if two tubes of Exo 8.0 will equal 1 reptisun 10?

Do the reptisun 10s fit into the same fixtures I put my exo terras in other cages? Because I heard they are thicker at 1.5 inch diameter or something. Do I need a special fixture?

I will not consider using reptileUVs megarays because I have not had good experiences with them at all (the company, not the bulbs). As for MVBs, I use rep pro brand MVBs wtih all my other UVB reptiles. But due to the cage I bought, I can not have enough distance between the bulb and the reptile if I put enough substrate for them to burrow. After thinking long and hard and tyring to modify the cage, I have decided to use tubes instead.

Diegar · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:57 pm Post subject:

tupinambis · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:41 pm Post subject:

I've found for a lot of the UV fluorescent bulbs, you do need an electronic ballast, though. I've put the ReptiSuns in regular ballasts and often they won't light up, but put them in with electronic ballasts and there's no problem.

Diegar · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject:

and i don't argue that point, i just know that i have never had a problem yet.
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The Jay

worleygurl · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

I do not feel 42 uW cm2 is ideal for tegus. I use Mega Rays in conjunction with fluorescent tubes, plus all my reptiles are outside 24/7 from mid April, through mid September getting REAL uvb

I measured the bulb through a screen top because I know you are considering building the box LOL I had to set up two kitchen chairs, sit the lid on top of the chairs and lay under it with a yard stick to get your readings

May I have a cookie, please? hehe

When I buy new fixtures, I always take the bulb specifications with me to Home Depot or Lowes and go with the exact specifications. The fixtures may cost a few dollars more, but it is worth it in the end if it doesn't blow my $20 bulbs hehe
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Kris, Herps they're not just a hobby, they're a way of life!

Anthony · Honored Member Joined: Apr 13, 2006 Posts: 151

Thanks. I'll give you a cookie when I see ya!

Anyway what was the mesh hole size was it 5mm mesh?
And if 42 microwatts/cm2 is not ideal, what is the ideal?

Does anyone have any data on the UVB requirements of tegus?