18" Reptisun 10.0 UVB Light and bulb

[randy]

Well, I got me a 18" undercabinet light that is good for 60 watts at walmart for less than 8.00 dollars today, also picked up the reptisun bulb at a grain/pet store for 30.00 the last one they had.  It seems to work perfectly and since the bulb is rated for only 15 watts it makes a cheap and great set-up. 
I have a small question, the light fixture has a plastic cover that is rough that fits on the fixture to protect the bulb, can I leave this on or should I leave it off for the dragon to get the optimum amout of UVB.  i was going to go with the clamp light and bulb but since everyone even the lady at Petco recommended doing the long fluorescent UVB.  I'm really excited cause it seems I have everything that I need to provide the little guy/girl a good home.  I also bought 4 60 watt GE Reveal bulbs to use as the basking light, since the upstairs or I should say the whole house stays around 80-85 degrees would this be a good wattage?, I figure I'll set it up tonight and see if it works, and if not then I'll go ahead and get a hotter one tomorrow.

[sinsa]

The reveal bulbs are no good.  Something about the light spectrum being wrong and it makes it hard for them to see.

Yes, you must take off the plastic cover for the UVB to actually get through. 

The Fluorescent UVB, in particular the Reptisun 10.0, are the safest bet right now.  The MVB bulbs are having glass issues.

[beardielover17]

The problem with the GE bulbs isn't the spectrum, that's only the coil UV lights. The problem with the GE bulbs though are the fact that they don't give out heat. They are made to conserve energy and not produce heat like the other ones (incandescent, floodlights, halogen). Grab yourself one of the 3 I just mentioned and play around with the wattages. I usually start at 60 or 75 watt

[randy]

The problem with the GE bulbs isn't the spectrum, that's only the coil UV lights. The problem with the GE bulbs though are the fact that they don't give out heat. They are made to conserve energy and not produce heat like the other ones (incandescent, floodlights, halogen). Grab yourself one of the 3 I just mentioned and play around with the wattages. I usually start at 60 or 75 watt

Are you talking about the ones that walmart sells?, I figure you are.  I was inches away from buying a halogen bulb, but I think the only one they had was a 75 watt, I think they were only a few dollars more.  Also does it matter if I use an outdoor or indoor halogen light?.  I just didn't want to over heat the little dragon since the house is so hot this Summer.  I have researched for a week on line before I get the dragon tomorrow, I have the tank and everything, I also have alot of small crickets that I bought yesterday and today and I'm feeding them on cricket food, romaine lettuce and apples.  Is there any thing else to fatten the crickets on before feeding them to the Beardie?  Thanks for all you guys help.

[beardielover17]

Basically any bulb other than the curly ones give off heat. Walmart sells them and is usually where I get mine from. An outdoor light will work but just make sure it doesn't get too hot and is in a fixture that can support the power. Monitor temps closely with a reliable digital thermometer or an infrared temp gun

[randy]

On the light fixture I have it is white, could I put some aluminum foil and tape it behind the bulb so that it will reflect more into the tank or is this needed.  I am going to pick up a good bulb tonight before tomorrow, I have a 5.5" black light fixture that I got out of yard saling it is rated for 75 watts so I will go with the 75 watt bulb tonight. 

[deejhay]

The MVB bulbs are having glass issues.

What MVB bulbs are having glass issues? I know Mega Ray had a small hiccup because they switched suppliers of a part that was used to manufacture the MVB's but all you need to do is call them and they will send out replacement bulbs.

Other then this I didn't know of any other issues, can you clarify?

[beardielover17]

The T-Rex Active UV, MegaRay and Solar Glo have all recently encountered problems. They are all changing how the bulb is made and they haven't been able to be satisfied with the bulbs. The Solar Glo is complete poo because it hardly emits UV now and the other 2 let too much UV out. There are still good bulbs for Megas and T-rex but there are bad ones out there too

[deejhay]

Ahhh I've had my MegaRay for about a month now, no issues thus far... I think I'll switch to a Reptisun 10.0 and a household bulb for heat... it just seems you never hear anything bad about this way of light / heat.

[VeronicaAnne]

Hey, so just to clarify, you guys are saying that a regular 60-75 watt flourecent tube light from walmart or whatever is okay to use? That would be soo great, because the ones at petstores out here are like 45-50 $ !! expensive! lol