You want to see some CFL UV Readings?

Venutus1

Venutus1

Avid Member
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Hi All.

I took these readings yesterday.

Brand new bulbs ran approx. 1/2 hour to warm up and then took readings.

I just pulled random ones out of my inventory of bulbs to test. Because of time, only one bulb of each kind was tested. So someone may wish to conduct these test with more than one sample of each.

Readings were taken 10" inches away.

Bulbs are in an standard Exo Tera 12" reflector with no enhancements. (ie. no reflective tape or tin-foil added.)

*e-hem* ... Exo Teary performed pretty much as I have grown to expect from that brand as far as lighting is concerned. :(
Can't imagine what it's readings would be like in 4 or 5 mo. AFTER it's out-put decays.(!?) I know folks love them because of their price.
Now you know... that's all I'll say.

It will be cool to compare the Arcadia CFLs when they are ready in 110v for the US market. :cool:

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Todd
www.lightyourreptiles.com

PS. See why Solarmeters are the path to true enlightenment? :D;)

The 6.2 (green one) is the reading most people refer to when talkig about UV levels. Micro Watts per square centimeter.

Please click on pic to enlarge. Thanks.
 

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Thanks for this! Interesting to see.

Edit - The more I think about it the more I think we should all be going for the 10.0 over the 5.0. Between the screen and such, we're not helping ourselves out by going for the lower output.
 
Last edited:
Venutus1 said:
Hi All.

I took these readings yesterday.

Brand new bulbs ran approx. 1/2 hour to warm up and then took readings.

I just pulled random ones out of my inventory of bulbs to test. Because of time, only one bulb of each kind was tested. So someone may wish to conduct these test with more than one sample of each.

Readings were taken 10" inches away.

Bulbs are in an standard Exo Tera 12" reflector with no enhancements. (ie. no reflective tape or tin-foil added.)

*e-hem* ... Exo Teary performed pretty much as I have grown to expect from that brand as far as lighting is concerned. :(
Can't imagine what it's readings would be like in 4 or 5 mo. AFTER it's out-put decays.(!?) I know folks love them because of their price.
Now you know... that's all I'll say.

It will be cool to compare the Arcadia CFLs when they are ready in 110v for the US market. :cool:

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Todd

www.lightyourreptiles.com

PS. See why Solarmeters are the path to true enlightenment? :D;)

The 6.2 (green one) is the reading most people refer too.

Please click on pic to enlarge. Thanks.
Click to expand...


That's with no screen in between as well correct?
 
very very interesting... I'm not a fan of that .14 i am seeing.. because thats whats in one of my cages. HA!
 
Yea.. I know!

Sticktongue said:
very very interesting... I'm not a fan of that .14 i am seeing.. because thats whats in one of my cages. HA!
Click to expand...

Imagine it with screening? :eek:

Depending on the kind of screening, (ie. mesh size, coated, fiberglass, etc) ... it will knock that reading down anywhere from 20 - 40%. :confused:

Say hello to MBD in a few months. :(

Cheers!
Todd
 
This is kinda what I expected to see... I would ONLY consider one of these for a small enclosure. But I cant wait to see what Arcadia comes up with, as I have two of those 12" fixtures just lyin around maybe I could put them to some use. Thanks Todd!
 
jaglon53 said:
That's with no screen in between as well correct?
Click to expand...

yes.

Now compare these (with and with out screen) :

https://www.chameleonforums.com/uv-levels-new-arcadia-t5-bulbs-since-so-many-folks-asking-76858/

And yes... I AM guilty of shameless promotion. :eek:

But please understand why...

More quality products and research are needed in this area because it is so important for the long term health and happiness of our herps.:D

And some companies are just OK to put out "weak" products at best. :confused: Why?

The companies doing the good work and who are truly interested in our pets well being are the ones that need to be promoted.:)

Thank you.
Todd
 
Oh boy this is worrying and confusing. Seems Arcadia would be the best option but my setup really needs something that uses CFL. I currently have the Repti Glo in the dome fixture. My Cham is sitting within 12" of it 95% of the day though.

Does this show that it is not the best option?

What is the best CFL to use? Should I use a 5.0 or 10.0?
 
Bitfly said:
Oh boy this is worrying and confusing. Seems Arcadia would be the best option but my setup really needs something that uses CFL. I currently have the Repti Glo in the dome fixture. My Cham is sitting within 12" of it 95% of the day though.

Does this show that it is not the best option?

What is the best CFL to use? Should I use a 5.0 or 10.0?
Click to expand...

If you MUST use cfl, i would go with the 10.0 to accommodate for the loss of readings through the screen.
 
Bitfly said:
Oh boy this is worrying and confusing. Seems Arcadia would be the best option but my setup really needs something that uses CFL. I currently have the Repti Glo in the dome fixture. My Cham is sitting within 12" of it 95% of the day though.

Does this show that it is not the best option?

What is the best CFL to use? Should I use a 5.0 or 10.0?
Click to expand...

good question!

I too have 2X 5.0 CLF in my big 4' cage.... maybe time to go to 10.0?
 
RunCode3 said:
good question!

I too have 2X 5.0 CLF in my big 4' cage.... maybe time to go to 10.0?
Click to expand...

Probably so.. But The best advice I could give all of you in question is purchase a Solarmeter, this is an invaluable tool and will save you money in the long run.
 
Now after reading this I was just wondering what I should use for my custom made cages. My measurements on this cage was going to be 2x4x4 since its going to be combined but divided in the middle of the 2 (pretty much 2x2x4 for each cage. So I was pretty much thinking about putting the hood lamp thats hooding 2 5.0 uvb lights in it on 1 side and buying another for the other. But now I'm sure what do about lighting. Any advice would be very much appreicated! Thanks
 
i think that the reptglow u tested was a little off i was testing mine yesterday and am getting 45-50 at 8in not screen,
that said i still dont really like them, but i have them for use with visting chamaleon cages as it is easy to just toss a dome light up there.
 
kokom05lb said:
Now after reading this I was just wondering what I should use for my custom made cages. My measurements on this cage was going to be 2x4x4 since its going to be combined but divided in the middle of the 2 (pretty much 2x2x4 for each cage. So I was pretty much thinking about putting the hood lamp thats hooding 2 5.0 uvb lights in it on 1 side and buying another for the other. But now I'm sure what do about lighting. Any advice would be very much appreicated! Thanks
Click to expand...

If your referring to using two 5.0 LINEAR bulbs that would be fine. Just buy a 4' fixture and set it across both cages.
 
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