10.0 dangers?

[nick barta]

I did not want to hijack the thread that this quote came from. Lancecham stated "Some Forum members have reported eye problems when using the 10.0 {Reptisun} bulb."

This caught my attention because Lancecham is very knowledgeable, and many members use the 10.0 for larger enclosures and plastic mesh enclosures.

I thought the 10.0 penetrated the cage further, but was not aware that it had been linked to eye problems.

Anyone have any experience or facts regarding the 10.0 being unsafe?

Nick

 

[Lancecham]

I have no personal experience with 10.0 bulbs as I only use 5.0 bulbs. There have been many threads on the use of the 10.0 bulbs.
As I mentioned in the other thread, people have had eye problems possibly associated with the 10.0 bulb. Other people say they use 10.0 bulbs and never had any problems with it.
Yes, the 10.0 bulb will penetrate further and I know some people that use it on larger cages(4 foot and above) without any problems. I have also used 5.0 bulbs on 4 foot high cages without any problems with concerns or problems of lack of UV. Chams seem to get enough UV from the 5.0 bulbs.
For those that use reptariums that do block out a lot of beneficial rays, it might be a good idea to use the 10 bulb on some of the bigger cages.

 

[laurie]

If anyone does have knowledge please let me know as all my lights are 10. reptisun. last thing I want to do is hurt any of my kids.

 

[draetish]

Isn't the 10.0 labeled "desert" bulb and used for beardies, iguanas, etc? Think about it, chams don't bask in direct sunlight, they bask in trees where the sun shines through opening in the leaves and such when the breeze is blowing. IDK just a thought.

 

[FroggtheCham]

I used a 10.0 bulb for my baby veileds b4 I got my 5.0 bulb. They are housed in fine mesh cages with the light suspended above. I noticed that my female veiled having eye issues with the bulb, but not the male. I moved the light up further and have since replaced it with the 5.0 bulb and she is fine. I use a 10.0 for Frogg in a 4ft enclosure and have not had any probs with him.

 

[Lancecham]

All this got started due to another thread where someone was using two different UV lighting(5.0 and 10.0) on a single cage. I mentioned that there was no need for both in the set up they had.
If you use a 10.0 in a large cage without any problems, then use it.
Many people use it without problems.

 

[bridgofaith]

10.0 ReptiSun's can be used with no problems, a lot of people do. They are recommended when you are using the heavy, darker mesh reptariums because that type of mesh blocks out more of the UV than the screen cages. This website has excellent info http://www.uvguide.co.uk/. It compares the UV bulbs and the amount of UV they produce and their effectiveness. A ReptiSun 5.0 is perfectly sufficient in producing enough UVB, just be sure the UV basking area is no more than about 8 inches away from the light.

 

[reptoman]

I have had eye issues with a 10.0 reptisun but the problem was alleviated by raising the light up about 3". My adult male panther was keeping his eyes closed when he got in the top portion of the cage. I turned out the UVB light to see what would happen and the eye closing stopped. I raised the bulb up with some wood blocks and have not had an issue since then.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've used 5.0, 8.0 and 10.0 ReptiGlo tubes extensively, and more recently both 5.0 and 10.0 reptiSun tubes. All on cages that are 4feet in height. All do NOT have dense screen blocking UVB/light from entering the cages. No issues so far. I should however note that the way I have the heat lamp positioned, the cham can choose to bask under the heat bulb either with UVB or without / away from the UVB. I should think that a cage with choices and foilage / cover should see no problems with the 10.0 tube. Its still no where near the strength of the sun.

 

[Lindsey]

I have only heard about dangers using compact fluorescent bulbs.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm#intro
I bumped into this site like maybe 3 years ago, so I am not sure how up-to-date it is. Companies may have changed their compact bulbs by now.

On another note, what if you wanted to add a second fluorescent fixture to your tank just to add extra light for your live plants? I assume you wouldn't use a second UV bulb would you? What would you reccomend pairing with the UV bulb to help out your plants a bit? A run-of-the-mill fluorescent bulb?
(I have a terrible track-record for keeping plants alive, in my chameleons tank and otherwise)

 

[sandrachameleon]

On another note, what if you wanted to add a second fluorescent fixture to your tank just to add extra light for your live plants? I assume you wouldn't use a second UV bulb would you? What would you reccomend pairing with the UV bulb to help out your plants a bit? A run-of-the-mill fluorescent bulb?
(I have a terrible track-record for keeping plants alive, in my chameleons tank and otherwise)

Right you can add a tube to help the plants, but not a UVB tube. use a regular tube in the 6500k range. Cost is about $6 for a 4 foot tube (around my area anyhow).

 

[Lindsey]

Right you can add a tube to help the plants, but not a UVB tube. use a regular tube in the 6500k range.

Super! Thanks!

 

[nick barta]

I have only heard about dangers using compact fluorescent bulbs.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm#intro
I bumped into this site like maybe 3 years ago, so I am not sure how up-to-date it is. Companies may have changed their compact bulbs by now.

On another note, what if you wanted to add a second fluorescent fixture to your tank just to add extra light for your live plants? I assume you wouldn't use a second UV bulb would you? What would you reccomend pairing with the UV bulb to help out your plants a bit? A run-of-the-mill fluorescent bulb?
(I have a terrible track-record for keeping plants alive, in my chameleons tank and otherwise)

Lindsey,

I too have plants that used to die, and I now use a 2 bulb 4 foot long fixture (over 2 cages), and one is the Reptisun 5.0, and the other is the 6500k plant bulb.

You can find both at Lowes, be sure to get the T8 fixture and T8 6500K bulb.

Nick

 

[Angel]

Depends on what Cham you have to be honest with you, and size tank. I have a Carpet Chameleon and read that they as well as Veiled/Yemen should have 10.0 UV bulbs. My Carpet Spock is in an 18" D x 36" W x 48" H and has a 10.0 UV Tube light and happily basks on the branch near it without any problems with his eyes. Only had him for a couple of weeks though but taking him to the vet next week or so to get his first check up.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I have used 5.0 bulbs exclusively. Even in my large cages i find no need for the 10.0 bulbs. I just add additional daylight flourescent tubes for the plants.

 

[chrisw]

I think you need to go with your experience. However, I'll add this. i talked to a vary large chameleon breeder who told me that he had issues that he suspected were related to 10.0 bulbs. I've mentioned this before on the forum. He said he knew of at least one other breeder who said the same thing. That is all I know - I did not ask the follow-up questions such as: how large were your cages? How close could the cham get to the light? etc. - I just bought a 5.0 instead. Seems like it is worth considering but many people who use them have no issues at all so there are no definitive conclusions here really. It is possbile that large breeders use slightly smaller enclosures to maximize space...not sure. Or maybe even longer daytime periods. But I will say that I heard this from a reliable source - just keep it in mind.