Repti-sun 5.0, Repti-glo 5.0 ? ? ?

Jeremy l

Jeremy l

New Member
these both say they produce the same uvb and uva rays. is one really any different than the other or are they the same. i guess i thought that i had the repti-sun but i guess i got the repti-glo.
 
This is my question, i just bought a exo terra repti glo 5.0 cause they did not have zoo med repti sun 5.0 witch I have used for the past 2 years. did i make a bad move? if yes why?
 
I love that site it taught me alot when I first saw it and I go back once in awhile to review. I use the repti glo they work fine. no compacts or coils just florescent tubes.
 
spatulars said:
The difference between the two is not much, but the reptisun bulb has provided more success for more chameleon and reptile keepers, and may replicate the uv output of the sun more accurately.

Dunno if you have seen this site, but it's a good link, and also explains the problem with compacts:

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
Click to expand...

Actually the repti-sun tests considerably better than the repti-glo and for that reason is the much preferred choice.
It also tests well long after the 6 month mark when we think to replace these bulbs.
Repti-Sun is by far the superior product.

-Brad
 
just replaced my old (it was time) reptiglo with a reptisun yesterday.....petco had them on clearance for $20 (you can find them on line for cheaper...until you pay the shipping)
 
Ive checked every store in my local area, even somewhat outside my local area, and Repti-Glo is the only one available. I'd have to order Repti-sun on-line and pay considerably more. Which I am willing to do if its worth it. But though I've had people suggest the ReptiSun is better (people whos opinions I value) I've not yet heard anyone explain WHY reptisun is considered so much better. I've not encountered any issues so far (over ten years now) with using ReptiGlo bulbs. My chams rarely if ever see real sun, so I do want to do whats best for them; I am willing to be convinced! :)
 
sandrachameleon said:
Ive checked every store in my local area, even somewhat outside my local area, and Repti-Glo is the only one available. I'd have to order Repti-sun on-line and pay considerably more. Which I am willing to do if its worth it. But though I've had people suggest the ReptiSun is better (people whos opinions I value) I've not yet heard anyone explain WHY reptisun is considered so much better. I've not encountered any issues so far (over ten years now) with using ReptiGlo bulbs. My chams rarely if ever see real sun, so I do want to do whats best for them; I am willing to be convinced! :)
Click to expand...

If you are going to use a retiglo you may want to go with the RetiGlo 10 is more comparable to the reptisun 5.0 than the 5.0 reptiglo bulb.

The reptiglo bulbs are just not as powerful as the reptisun they produce UV just not as well as reptisun bulbs. As a result the higher "10" bulb should be used.

Edit : Just thought I would add that In my opinion if you are using a thick mesh cage (Flexarium) then ditch the reptiglo and go with a reptisun 10.
 
Howdy Sandra,

UVB is always a great topic :). Lets talk about only the Reptisun 5.0 linear tube vs. the Repti-Glo 5.0 linear tube. They have similar total output uW/cm2 levels as measured by a Solarmeter. There is a particular spectral content that can be further broken into UVB1 and UVB2 within that total uW/cm2 output that gives the Reptisun the edge. The UVB1 content creates vitamin D3 while the UVB2 content destroys D3. Research describes relation of UVB1 and UVB2 and total output levels, calling it the "D3 Yield Index". Table 4 in the link shows this D3 index and that a new Reptisun 5.0 has an index of 493 vs. the Repti-Glo at 151. Even a 10 month-old Reptisun 5.0 still had a D3 yield index of 368. Although I wouldn't necessarily keep using a year-old tube for another year, at least you know it wasn't total trash at 6 months :eek:.

Table 4:
http://personal.inet.fi/private/testudo/Pages/Table 4.html

The entire article:
http://www.testudo.cc/

So why didn't your chameleon drop dead from only having a Repti-Glo 5.0? Well I guess you can assume that even at less than half the D3 index of a Reptisun, the amount delivered by the Repti-Glo is good enough to not show health problems in the typical chameleon application :).
 
thank you for the thorough answer! Just what I needed to push me into switching. I had *historically* purchased either the ReptiGlo 5.0 or the 10.0 (whichever was in stock). The six months ending August 2008 I was actually using ReptiGlo CFLs on a couple of the cages, since I did not at the time recognize the danger; believing allowing a burn-in period removed the danger (and thinking I could use the bulbs after six months elsewhere around the house). Anyhow, The screen used on the top of my enclosures is very wide, maybe half inch square, so doesnt block much UV. And like I said no troubles in the past. Though admittedly Trucker has an issue just now with skin, including around the eyes - cfl issue possible! Nevertheless, will switch to ordering in Reptisun six months from now (just replaced all bulbs at the beginning of this month with reptiglo 10.0 linear, so no reason to rush as I understand it).
Any recommendations as to supplier (think Canada). Chroma (very helpful) already gave me a link, but cant hurt to shop around.
 
I've noticed people are saying the reptisun 5.0 bulbs are hard to find lately, then I found them on clearance sale at my local petco.....makes me wonder if there's a change coming.

here are some online places to get them though ( I didn't seem to have any trouble finding them)

http://www.petmountain.com/product/fluorescent/504985/zoo-med-reptisun-5.0-uvb-bulb.html

http://www.petguys.com/reptile-stuff-lighting-fluorescent-bulbs.html


http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_27&sort=3a&filter_id=12

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/
 
Dave Weldon said:
Howdy Sandra,

UVB is always a great topic :). Lets talk about only the Reptisun 5.0 linear tube vs. the Repti-Glo 5.0 linear tube. They have similar total output uW/cm2 levels as measured by a Solarmeter. There is a particular spectral content that can be further broken into UVB1 and UVB2 within that total uW/cm2 output that gives the Reptisun the edge. The UVB1 content creates vitamin D3 while the UVB2 content destroys D3. Research describes relation of UVB1 and UVB2 and total output levels, calling it the "D3 Yield Index". Table 4 in the link shows this D3 index and that a new Reptisun 5.0 has an index of 493 vs. the Repti-Glo at 151. Even a 10 month-old Reptisun 5.0 still had a D3 yield index of 368. Although I wouldn't necessarily keep using a year-old tube for another year, at least you know it wasn't total trash at 6 months :eek:.

Table 4:
http://personal.inet.fi/private/testudo/Pages/Table 4.html

The entire article:
http://www.testudo.cc/

So why didn't your chameleon drop dead from only having a Repti-Glo 5.0? Well I guess you can assume that even at less than half the D3 index of a Reptisun, the amount delivered by the Repti-Glo is good enough to not show health problems in the typical chameleon application :).
Click to expand...


very interesting Dave. I remember reading about UVB1 and UVB2 when I started reading about UV.... but it slipped my brain... I need a new sponge... mine is worn out.
 
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