Measuring UV output?

[**Carol**]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question about UV bulbs and their output. Is there any way you can measure the UV output of a bulb? I know that some say replace after 6 months and some say a year but I'm concerned reading in some places that they can become useless almost straight away. I'm just concerned for my Reggie, he has a new solar glo bulb but on one of the threads someone had said they had a solar glo that was useless after 2 weeks! He needs his UV to help him recover from MBD so I'd hate him to not be getting any. Does anyone have any ideas how I can tell if the UV output is good?
Thanks,
Carol and Reggie

[Bindi]

The only way you can truly tell is to get a UV meter, I'll try to find a link

They're not cheap though, in the region of £130

The Solar glo isn't the best by all accounts, and if your little one is suffering from MBD it may be worth investing in an Arcadia D3 if you don't want to shell out for a meter

[Bindi]

Here you go:


http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/...-62-p-230.html

[yuna1971]

Bindi is right, they are not cheap....but an invaluable piece of kit and IMO, I strongly recommend them to people who have any combined bulbs.
...but, yes....they are expensive. xx

[NATURALIS]

The best price i've found for Arcadia d3 murcury lamps is £36.99 for the 100 watt , and £39.53 for the i60 watt. From Strictly exotic's

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by **Carol**

Hi Everyone,
I have a question about UV bulbs and their output. Is there any way you can measure the UV output of a bulb? I know that some say replace after 6 months and some say a year but I'm concerned reading in some places that they can become useless almost straight away. I'm just concerned for my Reggie, he has a new solar glo bulb but on one of the threads someone had said they had a solar glo that was useless after 2 weeks! He needs his UV to help him recover from MBD so I'd hate him to not be getting any. Does anyone have any ideas how I can tell if the UV output is good?
Thanks,
Carol and Reggie

that would be me

I've had a couple of Solarglos in the past and they did the 6 months and a bit more but the last 2 I had were just not producing goods enough levels of UVB. The Arcadias were £60 when they came out last year so £40 isn't bad for them. Your bulb may well be fine but without testing it there's no way of knowing.. but that applies to all bulbs, it's just that I know that Arcadia and Megaray have been tested long term by uvguide.co.uk and are good for UVB for a year at least. If you keep using Nutrobal on the tort's food then any lack of UVB from the bulb will be accounted for with the Nutrobal

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by red foot marg

The best price i've found for Arcadia d3 murcury lamps is £36.99 for the 100 watt , and £39.53 for the 160 watt. From Strictly exotic's

surrey pets are about the same, though when I got my 160w from them it was about £36 I think, the 100w weren't out at that time http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/u...ry-vapour.html by the way I see a bulb called Pro Sun on that page, can't say I've ever heard of it

[**Carol**]

Thanks for all the advice! The UV measurers do look like a good bit of kit but i can't afford one at the moment, good to know for the future as I'm pretty sure I'll invest in one! I do use Nutrabol (not sure how many times a week it should be, I'm going for about 3 at the moment, other 4 days calcium) so I think I'll keep my solar glo going at the moment but when that gives in or I lose faith in it I'll definitely get an arcadia d3.
Just as an afterthought, the calcium dust I have is for coating live food (it's 'komodo' i think) is that all good or would vetark calci-dust be a better option?
Thanks again

[Alan1]

I don't really know what they are. limestone flour is 100% calcium carbonate and is available from horsey places pretty cheap, like about £8 for almost a lifetime supply. I think calci dust and similar types will all be okay though