Compact Flourescent Bulb-just curious

holmesese

holmesese

Member
I have heard time and time again that compact flourescent bulbs are bad for chameleon's eyes and they shouldn't be used. In the past I have used compact flourescent bulbs with other reptiles with no issues and also for chameleons for periods of under 6 months - with no issues. I don't use them any longer, but I still have one question. Has anyone ever actually had a problem with compact bulbs hurting their chameleon's eyes? I would prefer hearing a personal story and not a "well my friend...." as I have heard everyone say don't use them but have never heard of anyone actually having a problem with them.
 
holmesese said:
I have heard time and time again that compact flourescent bulbs are bad for chameleon's eyes and they shouldn't be used. In the past I have used compact flourescent bulbs with other reptiles with no issues and also for chameleons for periods of under 6 months - with no issues. I don't use them any longer, but I still have one question. Has anyone ever actually had a problem with compact bulbs hurting their chameleon's eyes? I would prefer hearing a personal story and not a "well my friend...." as I have heard everyone say don't use them but have never heard of anyone actually having a problem with them.
Click to expand...

DON'T use them with CHAMs end of discussion
 
Not to be rude, but I just wanted to know if anyone has actually had problems. I don't used them or condone the use of them, but I want to know some FACTS. Not just opinions on whether or not they cause problems. If you have don't have an answer to the question or it offends you please disregard the post.
 
I read on article from zoomed (i think it was zoomed) ADMITTING that their CFL's cause eye problems.

Personally i used CFL's for a while then my guy started doing some funny buldges with his eyes all day and i switched over to a linear tube and everything cleared up. Im not saying that the CFL's caused my guys eyes to act funny but...

If you can find the article from zoomed there are pictures of different animals that were harmed from the lights, if i remember correctly there were some turtles and beardies (no chameleons if i remember...)
 
You do realise the bulbs that have caused problems are Zoo med no other compact bulbs have affected reptile.
 
That was a great article, thanks! That was much more proof than I was hoping for. I was more interested in the question of why they cause the problems rather that if they are good to use - and that article definitely explained it.
 
But all the articles written just say its zoo med products that cause problems now everyone says all compact bulbs are bad????
 
Mark7616 said:
But all the articles written just say its zoo med products that cause problems now everyone says all compact bulbs are bad????
Click to expand...

If you read the article, it mentioned ZooMed, R-Zilla and Big Apple bulbs specifically known to have caused problems. While they weren't all compact bulbs, a couple were. They then test others as well to compare and you'll notice that all of their UV indexes are above the solar UV spectrum to certain degrees while the ones known to have caused problems are very much so. You'll also note that not all the common compact bulbs were tested so its hard to say where some of those would fall on the UV index.

Chris
 
Last edited:
Sorry I stand corrected. Just seems to be a select handfull though do you think these companies use something different to the rest of the companies?
 
Yeah I dont use one I was just reading and thought not all could be bad otherwise they should ban production of them?
 
i know you said no friend stories but this should be said...i got a bearded dragon in june and he had uvb compacts on him...by repti glo i think, the swirly ones. After 4 months he gave up eating salad and ate like only 20 crix a day...also he woke up at 12 and went to sleep at like 4...no it wasnt brumation. End of story i got a repti sun and wola he is a savage eater and is much healthier.

So my friend liked my beardie and wanted a reptile...his older brother has like 5 snakes and lizards. so i go to a expo with him and recomend this solid guy that i didnt buy from but talked too and imo was the smartest guy their. So he just ignors me and buys this small little 2 month old with paper thin legs and slight mbd...im like luke are you shure about this you didnt even talk to this guy or ask questions...he is like this ones for me and the guy said it was the cream of the crop. so he getts it and it is soo weak it just slept all the way home and for another 8 hours. So like every 5 days i would visit this poor little beardie and just see it go closer and closer to death. Its diet was rotten squash and crix with too much calcium. He was also using a compact wich i myself didnt know was bad. so this poor thing is slowly dieing and im like damit dude get it to a vet or call the breeder...hes like the breeder has no website and i cant afford a vet... so i brought over some veggies and told him what to do.....the beardies eyes got swollen shut after 2 weeks under the light...and died christmas morning......
 
You would think.
Unfortunately there are a lot of products out there that aren't necessarily good for the animals they are supposed to be designed for.
Thankfully we have the forums where up to date information can be shared and discussed.

-Brad
 
I raised my veiled male for one year with the UV compact before hearing they weren't healthy. I changed the bulb for my cham and found that he could no longer shoot at crickets. I don't believe he can see them. I cup feed him now and he knows where to find his food but still doesn't shoot and any escaped crickets in his cage. I will NEVER, EVER use any time of compact again, EVER.
 
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