Beta Carotene for Vitamin A in Exo Terra Multivitamin

Sg612

Member
Picture of Boop's home, as promised!

View attachment 47610

A bulb I trust less(zoo med compact), but fits well(at least safer) within this space

or

A bulb I feel more comfortable with ( Arcadia Pro ShadeDweller ), but covers more area increasing the risk of too much UVB exposure

I'd recommend a longer enclosure of at least 36 inches long and going with the arcadia pro shadedweller, if possible. I understand not everyone can run out and buy a new enclosure. Let us know what you decide and keep us updated on the little one when possible.
 

Marillion

Member
A bulb I trust less(zoo med compact), but fits well(at least safer) within this space

or

A bulb I feel more comfortable with ( Arcadia Pro ShadeDweller ), but covers more area increasing the risk of too much UVB exposure

I'd recommend a longer enclosure of at least 36 inches long and going with the arcadia pro shadedweller, if possible. I understand not everyone can run out and buy a new enclosure. Let us know what you decide and keep us updated on the little one when possible.

Thanks Sg612. I didn't think overexposure of UVB could be an issue unlike oversuplementation. As long as a safe distance from basking zone would be used... What about placing the Arcadia bulb front to back instead of lengthwise? Though John from Arcadia didn't seem to think it would be a problem either way with my enclosure (20 gallon long, 30".).

I'll definitely keep you guys apprised.
 
Last edited:

Marillion

Member
"Glitches" in the system. :(

Still will be posting re comparisions of Zoo Med UVB compact fluorescent bulbs, Marillion.

Found this article too by Dr Baines: An In-Depth Look At UV Light And Its Proper Use With Reptiles

I'm thinking more and more that the 10.0 Zoo Med Mini Compact (which I already own but am not using yet) or the Arcadia Pro ShadeDweller (which I would have to buy for around $80 with shipping...so leaning against right now) would be a better choice than the Zoo Med 5.0 Mini Compact about 12-13" away with a mesh hood also being in the way, that I am using right now.

Looking forward to what you think Elizabeth (and others also!)
 

Sg612

Member
Thanks Sg612. I didn't think overexposure of UVB could be an issue unlike oversuplementation. As long as a safe distance from basking zone would be used... What about placing the Arcadia bulb front to back instead of lengthwise? Though John from Arcadia didn't seem to think it would be a problem either way with my enclosure (20 gallon long, 30".).

I'll definitely keep you guys apprised.

They can develop skin cancer just like us humans. front to back all the way to the warm side should be ok for your leo, but may pose a threat to your health(because it's longer than 12in hanging off). You're probably thinking, geez I can't win, sorry I wish it was simple. I guess if you or others don't sit next to the enclosure often, it may be ok.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Found this article too by Dr Baines: An In-Depth Look At UV Light And Its Proper Use With Reptiles

I'm thinking more and more that the 10.0 Zoo Med Mini Compact (which I already own but am not using yet) or the Arcadia Pro ShadeDweller (which I would have to buy for around $80 with shipping...so leaning against right now) would be a better choice than the Zoo Med 5.0 Mini Compact about 12-13" away with a mesh hood also being in the way, that I am using right now.

Looking forward to what you think Elizabeth (and others also!)

Thanks for what may be Dr. Baines most recent article for Reptiles magazine.

I'm still planning to contact Zoo Med again.

How about joining Facebook's Reptile Lighting group? Dr. Baines is one of the admins. If you tag her she will probably respond directly. I've only see her mention enclosures 3 feet or longer for fixtures like ShadeDweller.

John Courtney-Smith is an excellent resource too.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Effective UVB Distances of Zoo Med's Reptisun UVB Bulbs (???)

I was shopping at my nearby PetCo yesterday. That's a big box pet store in the USA. So I checked out Zoo Med's Reptisun UVB fluorescent bulbs. The information I found seems like discrepancies from Zoo Med's lighting chart.

The Reptisun boxes actually said:
  • 13 watt mini compact fluorescent 5.0 UVB bulb: "Provides beneficial UVB up to 9 inches from lamp to basking site"
  • 13 watt mini compact fluorescent 10.0 UVB bulb: "Provides beneficial UVB up to 9 inches from lamp to basking site"
  • 26 watt standard compact fluorescent 5.0 UVB bulb: "Provides beneficial UVB up to 14 inches from lamp to basking site"
  • 26 watt standard compact fluorescent 10.0 UVB bulb: "Provides beneficial UVB up to 18 inches from lamp to basking site"

Updated information coming soon!
 
Last edited:

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member

Marillion

Member
Thank you very much for all the help and advice as well as pointing me towards Dr. Baines. You've been a great help Elizabeth. I'm so glad I joined this forum!
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Thank you very much for all the help and advice as well as pointing me towards Dr. Baines. You've been a great help Elizabeth. I'm so glad I joined this forum!

You're quite welcome, Marillion. I'm glad you found GU helpful. I believe that's what forum life is all about. :biggrin:

I hope your leo lives a long and healthy life.
 
Top