Coil lamps

[Turtleneck123]

I have a coil uvb lamp and I've read that they can irritate eyes but my tortoise is fine... Should I still switch lamps or is it fine

 

[Jodie]

I would switch it. It might never be a problem, but if it is, it causes a painful experience for your tortoise. Really not worth the risk.

 

[Turtleneck123]

I would switch it. It might never be a problem, but if it is, it causes a painful experience for your tortoise. Really not worth the risk.

What kind of uv lamp would u recommend?

I currently have a basking and a uvb lamp in one is that good ?

 

[Tom]

I have a coil uvb lamp and I've read that they can irritate eyes but my tortoise is fine... Should I still switch lamps or is it fine

Every year or two we have an argument here on this forum about these bulbs. There are many factors at work here, but suffice to say that some people have used them and not yet experienced a problem. Not all of the bulbs cause the eye burning problem. No one knows how to tell which bulbs are a problem and which ones are not, and we have yet to get one of the bad ones in for testing. For the people who have experienced the problem, there is no doubt that these bulbs shouldn't be used.

A bigger factor is that if you are relying on them for UV, they are not very effective. Better to use a long tube type. Each type has good and bad points and must be mounted and used correctly.

How high do you anticipate your UV bulb will need to be mounted above your tortoise?

 

[Turtleneck123]

Every year or two we have an argument here on this forum about these bulbs. There are many factors at work here, but suffice to say that some people have used them and not yet experienced a problem. Not all of the bulbs cause the eye burning problem. No one knows how to tell which bulbs are a problem and which ones are not, and we have yet to get one of the bad ones in for testing. For the people who have experienced the problem, there is no doubt that these bulbs shouldn't be used.

A bigger factor is that if you are relying on them for UV, they are not very effective. Better to use a long tube type. Each type has good and bad points and must be mounted and used correctly.

How high do you anticipate your UV bulb will need to be mounted above your tortoise?

Thank you tom, I'm definitely switching lamps just to be sure. My basking lamp also emits uv will that be enough or do I need a long tube one ? If so which brand do you recommend

 

[Tom]

Thank you tom, I'm definitely switching lamps just to be sure. My basking lamp also emits uv will that be enough or do I need a long tube one ? If so which brand do you recommend

Where are you located? If your tortoise can get outside for an hour a couple of times a week or more, you don't need indoor UV at all. Does your other lamp emit "UVB" or "UVA"?

How high do you anticipate your UV bulb will need to be mounted above your tortoise?

 

[Turtleneck123]

Where are you located? If your tortoise can get outside for an hour a couple of times a week or more, you don't need indoor UV at all. Does your other lamp emit "UVB" or "UVA"?

How high do you anticipate your UV bulb will need to be mounted above your tortoise?

It emits both uva and I've and it's about 16inches above him.

I let him outside for about an hour every 2 days
I live in Houston, Texas

 

[BrianWI]

I have a coil uvb lamp and I've read that they can irritate eyes but my tortoise is fine... Should I still switch lamps or is it fine

Also remember NO one has EVER produced even a SINGLE bulb that was shown to ever have actually caused a problem.

As an engineer in the lighting industry... they are SAFE. I have used more of them than I can count even in applications where the animal was only an inch away.

 

[BrianWI]

I let him outside for about an hour every 2 days
I live in Houston, Texas

Then a uvb bulb is unnecessary.

 

[cmacusa3]

Also remember NO one has EVER produced even a SINGLE bulb that was shown to ever have actually caused a problem.

As an engineer in the lighting industry... they are SAFE. I have used more of them than I can count even in applications where the animal was only an inch away.

Why constantly argue this factor? Numerous accounts on the site have shown that these bulbs do have some kind of effect on torts. I've even had an issue at one time and shortly after changing the bulb my Sulcata started being more active and eating a lot more. We get you are some kind of engineer but have you studied the eyes of a tortoise to know how they react to different lighting? Obviously there is some factor in play with these bulbs.

 

[BrianWI]

Why constantly argue this factor? Numerous accounts on the site have shown that these bulbs do have some kind of effect on torts. I've even had an issue at one time and shortly after changing the bulb my Sulcata started being more active and eating a lot more. We get you are some kind of engineer but have you studied the eyes of a tortoise to know how they react to different lighting? Obviously there is some factor in play with these bulbs.

Produce one bulb that causes an issue that proves it. Just one. Then we will talk. Until then, I will treat it like the unfounded, unsupported myth it is.

 

[cmacusa3]

Again it might not be just the bulb in play, maybe some torts have sensitive eyes to different lights. I don't have the answer but I've definitely seen issues.

 

[Steve_carter]

Also remember NO one has EVER produced even a SINGLE bulb that was shown to ever have actually caused a problem.

As an engineer in the lighting industry... they are SAFE. I have used more of them than I can count even in applications where the animal was only an inch away.

I got advised on here to get rid of my coil uvb afew days ago. I had a basking lamp & a uvb lamp. He seemed happy with no signs of distress or hiding. Just spent shy of £100 getting a mvb all in one with a shade & light stand when they might of not been any need!?

Better to be safer than sorry I guess. He's happy with his new lighting & he's always been an active tort so no difference noticed from the light change...

 

[BrianWI]

Again it might not be just the bulb in play, maybe some torts have sensitive eyes to different lights. I don't have the answer but I've definitely seen issues.

Well, for those who have logic, I will say this:

I have read threads on here that are a few years old where the same people were saying cfl's were bad. The people then who knew they were safe challenged these same people to produce a single bulb that put out anything dangerous. And now, a few years later, they never were able to. Not a single one. None. So, despite the claims and plenty of time, they still came up empty. Just like Sasquatch hunters and Nessie photographers.

 

[BrianWI]

I got advised on here to get rid of my coil uvb afew days ago. I had a basking lamp & a uvb lamp. He seemed happy with no signs of distress or hiding. Just spent shy of £100 getting a mvb all in one with a shade & light stand when they might of not been any need!?

Better to be safer than sorry I guess. He's happy with his new lighting & he's always been an active tort so no difference noticed from the light change...

Some rumors just won't die. But yes, there was no need to switch. A lot of the advice here is fine, a small portion is out in left field.
In reality, an mvb produces light in a similar manner and most reports of true, proven photokeratitis (in humans) were caused by... MVBs.

 

[BrianWI]

By the way, this last week there was a thread about a tort with eye issues. Everyone jumped on the coil bulb. I hung in there, used a bit of logic to look deeper. Turns out, it wasn't the bulb at all. Showed a great example of how these rumors live on.

 

[Steve_carter]

Some rumors just won't die. But yes, there was no need to switch. A lot of the advice here is fine, a small portion is out in left field.
In reality, an mvb produces light in a similar manner and most reports of true, proven photokeratitis (in humans) were caused by... MVBs.

Thanks for your reply. I feel abit uneasy now. As a first time tort owner I only want the best for him. I came to this forum to learn, share & be part of a good community. However I feel now that if something is not to someone's liking & the advice given you start to doubt yourself & researching & internet sources all conflicting you kinda go with what's been advised. Could of saved some pennies on the light situation now. That could of gone to other things. Shame.

 

[BrianWI]

Thanks for your reply. I feel abit uneasy now. As a first time tort owner I only want the best for him. I came to this forum to learn, share & be part of a good community. However I feel now that if something is not to someone's liking & the advice given you start to doubt yourself & researching & internet sources all conflicting you kinda go with what's been advised. Could of saved some pennies on the light situation now. That could of gone to other things. Shame.

I should say, your MVB is safe. They make these ones for pets with a safety mechanism that disables the bulb were the glass to break. So no uvb/uvc leaks can occur (this was not always the case in all mvb lighting).

This has been a fight for years and years. You will continue to hear it from others, likely even more in this thread. In the end, you pick what you think is best and plod along.

You should see what happens when I mention heat mats. I use those too and if you believed the opinions of some, all my torts and turtles should be dead

 

[Steve_carter]

I should say, your MVB is safe. They make these ones for pets with a safety mechanism that disables the bulb were the glass to break. So no uvb/uvc leaks can occur (this was not always the case in all mvb lighting).

This has been a fight for years and years. You will continue to hear it from others, likely even more in this thread. In the end, you pick what you think is best and plod along.

You should see what happens when I mention heat mats. I use those too and if you believed the opinions of some, all my torts and turtles should be dead

Thanks for the clarification. Haha, I'll look out for your comments when I see a title 'heat mats' thanks again & have a good day!

 

[Tom]

Produce one bulb that causes an issue that proves it. Just one. Then we will talk. Until then, I will treat it like the unfounded, unsupported myth it is.

Many members and veterinarians have had first hand experience with these bulbs doing damage and just because you have not yet encountered one does not mean there is not a problem. It just means Brian hasn't encountered a problem yet. Just let it go man. You are doing harm to tortoises and you just don't realize it. Besides these facts, these coil bulbs are not effective UV sources tortoises. There are better more effective products available, so why do you insist upon trying to promote these dangerous bulbs when MANY other people have clearly seen an issue?