UVB bulbs

[markbudde]

Hi all. I just put my Reptisun 5.0 UVB T12 bulb into the fixture, and it is significantly dimmer than the cool white bulb it replaced. It is in a standard $8.00 48" T8 fixture from HD and the other bulb in the fixture is a T8. Would this cause it to be dimmer (and thus I need to get another T12 to balance it out)? Or are the UVB bulbs significantly dimmer because they put out invisible wavelenghts?

Or alternatively, does anyone know where to get a 48" Reptisun 5.0 T8 or has anyone had luck with a different brand T8 bulb? Thanks.
-mark

[Dancing frogs]

Maybee...a 48" t-12 is 40 watts, whereas a 48" t-8 is 32 watts (if I remember correctly). Though most modern fixtures that will accomodate a t-8 would also work with a t-12.

I've ran a 36" 5.0, and it was quite a bit dimmer than what I expected, however it lit my 40 br well enough to grow the plants well.

AFAIK, there are no t-8 5.0 bulbs other than the 15 and 18 inch.

[markbudde]

Yeah, I think the box said that both T8 and T12 would work in the fixture. I suspect that the T12 is running at 32 watts instead of 40 watts, but I don't know how to fix it :?

[Dancing frogs]

Well, you could over-drive the bulb, or just get over the lower output, and if you need more light, add another full spectrum bulb.
To answer the other Q, yes, most bulbs that actually produce usable uvb rays, also sacrifice visible light.

[Dangerously]

Just out of curiosity... if this for PDF's? If it is, how is it mounted so that the frogs get the UV?

[markbudde]

It sure is. I bought OP-4 from a tanning supply company and built these lids. They have been working great so far.


Here's a link to the construction journal.

[bbrock]

AFAIK, 36" and up Reptisun are only available as T12 bulbs (and compacts of course). If anyone knows otherwise, I'd like to know. My Repti 5s are really dim too. I have them mounted with 2x96w CF and you really can't tell if the Reptis are even on. Even when you look right at the bulbs, the amount of light looks like it could just be from the CF bulbs. But they aren't there to provide visible light. In theory, a perfectly efficient UV bulb would produce no visible light at all.