If you come across any literature regarding UVA or UVB and eye problems, please post the reference....thanks, it's a subject I'm very interested in. I have also heard comments regarding UVA/UVB causing eye problems and it most certainly would if the exposure is high enough. Although I can't recall any specific papers confirming or highly suggesting it with blacklights. We have been using the NEC and Sylvania BL blacklights since the 80's on the entire herp (amphibians, snakes, geckos etc..) collection (around 1000 animals) and have never had any eye or skin cancer type problems attributed to the bulbs. Our colony of Phelsuma, which are now around F9, have never had any problems with their eyes.....they have been raised exclusively on the BL Blacklights for UV, which are on 9 to 14 hours a day (season dependent). We have successfully bred and raised many species of herps using them. Currently I don't have a UVA probe for my meter and I can't recall the measurements of UVA they produce... anyway, if I can secure funds to buy the probe, I'll post its UVA comparison to the Reptisun 5.0.
Russ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Johnston" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, 3 February 2002 9:19 Subject: Re: [Gecko] UVB lighting > Russ... > > Nope. I've always been under the impression that extended exposure to > black light could cause eye problems. Not sure though. > > Russel Traher wrote: > > > > Doug, have you compared the UVB output of a zoomed 5.0 to a BL blacklight? > > The NEC 'BL' type blacklights available in Australia put out more UVB when > > compared to the zoomed bulbs and are quarter of the price. They don't > > produce much light, but work great when used in conjunction with a bulb > > that has a high CRI and high K. > > > > Russ > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Doug Johnston" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Sent: Saturday, 2 February 2002 11:37 > > Subject: Re: [Gecko] UVB lighting > > > > > Josh... > > > > > > I agree with everything you said. However, the main problem I've had > > > with the Reptisun 5.0 is the amount of light it produces. It does not > > > generate the amount of lumens other sources do. They also don't create > > > the color temps I want for my enclosures. I've always wanted a UVB bulb > > > that also puts out a CRI of greater than 92 and has a color temp in the > > > 5000K range. Because of that, I tend to use two bulbs whenever > > > possible... one Reptisun 5.0 and another bulb with those other > > > characteristics that create a blend of all the right light. Greg > > > Christenson has always talked about that sort of thing, too, I believe. > > > I generally use halogen lights as heat spots when possible to add some > > > more of the whiter light. And, since the filament temps are higher on > > > halogens, they can create some UVB as well (as long as there isn't a UV > > > shield piece of glass blocking it). > > > > > > Josh Klavir wrote: > > > > > > > > Hello all, > > > > > > > > Thought I'd chime in on the UVB discussion. Would have contributed > > earlier > > > > but have been more than a bit under the weather. > > > > Reptisun 5.0 bulbs will begin to degrade after about 4 months, luckily > > this > > > > is a slow process, but does change the depth of penetration of the UVB > > > > wavelengths being emitted by the bulb. The concept is not one of having > > a > > > > 5.0 that penetrates 12" turn into a 2.0 that penetrates 12", but instead > > a > > > > 5.0 that penetrates 12" becomes a 5.0 that penetrates 2-3", after about > > 9 > > > > months. I guess if your animals are always basking directly under the > > bulb, > > > > you can get a longer life span out of the product. > > > > Also important to note that a Reptisun 5.0 will continue to emit useful > > > > amounts of UVA for months after it ceases to emit UVB. > > > > UVA is used in depression therapy for humans, so when the UVB is over, > > put > > > > the tube in your kitchen or work shop for some "Happy Light". > > Re-cycling > > > > your older UVB bulbs for your non UVB requiring creatures can always be > > done > > > > too. > > > > > > > > Cheers, > > > > Josh > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > > From: Neal Grant [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > > > > Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 3:54 PM > > > > To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' > > > > Subject: [Gecko] UVB lighting > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello again! > > > > > > > > Ok, so the general consensus is that after 6 to 9 months, you should > > replace > > > > UVB bulbs. > > > > > > > > Let's say I have a UVB 5.0.....after 9 months, could I replace it, and > > then > > > > treat it as though it was a UVB 2.0 for a few months? > > > > > > > > In other words, after they "expire" do they just put out less UVB, or do > > > > they stop producing any useful UVB altogether? > > > > > > > > Thanks, and have a great weekend. > > > > > > > > Neal G. > > > > _____ > > > > > > > > Do You Yahoo!? > > > > Yahoo! <http://rd.yahoo.com/mail_us/tag/?http://auctions.yahoo.com> > > > > Auctions Great stuff seeking new owners! Bid > > > > <http://rd.yahoo.com/mail_us/tag/?http://auctions.yahoo.com> now! > > > > > > > > > > ########################################################################### > > > > THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION LISTSERV > > > > WebSite: www.gekkota.com Archive: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > > > > The GGA takes no responsibility for the contents of these postings. > > > > > > ########################################################################### > > > > > > -- > > > Doug Johnston > > > > > > > > -- > Doug Johnston > ---------------------------------------------------- > Sign Up for NetZero Platinum Today > Only $9.95 per month! > http://my.netzero.net/s/signup?r=platinum&refcd=PT97 > >
