Combined Heat/UV bulbs

[Ludrup]

Hi
Does anyone know if the combi bulbs are better value in terms of cost of bulbs and electricity used than using two separate bulbs.
Thanks
L

[Ozric Jonathan]

I haven't gathered data systematically but having tried different combinations I concluded that heat from a halogen lamp combined with uv from a tube is a lot more flexible.

Sudden failures happen with combined heat and uv lamps but not with uv tubes. Halogen lamps can fail suddenly but they are quite cheap.

My belief is that the total costs are very similar but separate sources mean that the tortoise has more options and doesn't have to get blasted with uv when it only needs to get warm to digest its food.

Some makes of combined lamps can be unpredictable and unless the keeper has a uvb meter they can't be sure what they are providing.

In my personal opinion there is quite a lot to take into consideration. But some keepers just want less wires and less complexity and combined lamps can do a good job.

I don't think we can make a simple direct comparison between the two methods as there are many differences apart from cost per hour.

[Ludrup]

That's really helpful, thanks

[Arcadiajohn]

A well set and species/enclosure appropriate system of a stat controlled heat source and T5 UV system is more effective and cheaper to run for sure.

MV is useful but as a supplementary source,

Your T5 or UVFLOOD system should be your work horse

John