Coiled UV Lights

[FlatStanley]

Could someone please point me to a website with scientific research that gives conclusive evidence to these lights hurting torts eyes? I'm curious because pet stores sell so many of these bulbs and I would like to find out why they are bad for torts eyes.

 

[alysciaingram]

I believe some members of the forum are participating in a study on the effects of coil bulbs at the moment (Baoh and a few people who have sent him bulbs to test that were having issues with their tortoises eyes). Im sure one of them will chime in, but hopefully it will answer some questions. I personally don't use UV bulbs, so I'm no help.

 

[Madkins007]

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

The primary issue was fixed years ago. Now, most of the reports are word of mouth rather than clinical findings.

 

[wellington]

The primary issue was stated to have been fixed. However, we are constantly seeing torts with eye problems and low and behold, they are using a coil bulb. Just so you know, most of us wouldn't risk our torts eyes to save a few bucks. Best to stay away from them. Besides, pet stores sell a lot of items that should never be sold. Can't really trust them or too many of the makers of the stuff.

 

[Tom]

Could someone please point me to a website with scientific research that gives conclusive evidence to these lights hurting torts eyes?

No. I can't. It doesn't exist. Who would fund such a study? There are many of us here who have personally witnessed it multiple times though, and that is good enough for me. I would like to know what the problem is and why it happens too, but whatever the reason, it DOES happen, and so I recommend against their use.

One big part of the occasion is the frequency with which this occurs. Not all of these bulbs seem to cause a problem. At least some of them seem to be fine at least some of the time for some species. The issue is that I have seen them cause problems far too often, in far too many circumstances for me to find them acceptable for use over any reptile.

Why do they keep selling them? Because people keep buying them and they are turning a profit from it.

 

[AustinASU]

Other than wintererizing them.....anyone else out there consider the big bright ball in the sky during the day.....I hear it works a million times better, it's free too..

 

[FLINTUS]

I agree, generally they are trouble. That said, I have one that I got at first with my reds which is 2% and is working well with my serrated hingebacks, a light sensitive species.

 

[AnnV]

I bought one just before joining this forum. Not to save money by any means. It cost me nearly $40. I am afraid to use it now even though I bought a sideways fixture for it.
I am waiting (and waiting) for a repti-sun bulb. Any opinions on those. I had been using a power sun, but didnt realize the short life of the uvb. I dont own a meter. It must be over a year old. I may have to order another power sun if this other doesnt arrive soon. Our days of warm sunlight are waning here in CT.

Ann from CT

 

[Weldd]

"The primary issue was fixed years ago. Now, most of the reports are word of mouth rather than clinical findings."

I agree with this statement. I've been using coil UV bulbs for a few years with very small tortoises without any problem. It's not a cost issue but for very small animals who cannot or will not get under a spot light I have found that the coil bulbs are an effective solution. The new T5 HO bulbs from Zoomed are fantastic in terms of output. I am considering moving my entire collection to those...

 

[Tom]

I bought one just before joining this forum. Not to save money by any means. It cost me nearly $40. I am afraid to use it now even though I bought a sideways fixture for it.
I am waiting (and waiting) for a repti-sun bulb. Any opinions on those. I had been using a power sun, but didnt realize the short life of the uvb. I dont own a meter. It must be over a year old. I may have to order another power sun if this other doesnt arrive soon. Our days of warm sunlight are waning here in CT.

Ann from CT

MVBs do not have a short life unless something is wrong. Supposedly their UV output lessens over time, but I have some that I've been using for more than two years, because I'm just using them for heat, not UV.

Usually they will burn out faster if they are mounted at an angle, or in a hood that is too small and not well ventilated enough. I use the 11" vented aluminum hoods from Home Depot. The fixture is ceramic and they have a heavy duty cord too. Only cost about $12.

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"The primary issue was fixed years ago. Now, most of the reports are word of mouth rather than clinical findings."

I agree with this statement. I've been using coil UV bulbs for a few years with very small tortoises without any problem. It's not a cost issue but for very small animals who cannot or will not get under a spot light I have found that the coil bulbs are an effective solution. The new T5 HO bulbs from Zoomed are fantastic in terms of output. I am considering moving my entire collection to those...

I know of lots of people who share your experience, until the day they bring home one of the problem bulbs.

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http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

The primary issue was fixed years ago. Now, most of the reports are word of mouth rather than clinical findings.

I can assure you the things I've seen with my own eyes are not "word of mouth".

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Re: RE: Coiled UV Lights

Other than wintererizing them.....anyone else out there consider the big bright ball in the sky during the day.....I hear it works a million times better, it's free too..

Yes, thank you!!!

I love how you worded it, too

Sent from my TFOapp

 

[Madkins007]

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

The primary issue was fixed years ago. Now, most of the reports are word of mouth rather than clinical findings.

I can assure you the things I've seen with my own eyes are not "word of mouth".

I am NOT disputing that some people have had problems, but the OP was asking for published research, and other than the one I linked to, I am not aware of any other reports or publications of veterinarian-verified problems with the bulbs.

You also have to admit- the reports we get here and other forums are not usually real helpful. We don't usually know things like brand of bulb, height it was placed, angles, substrates used with, etc. Were possible irritants in the substrate properly ruled out? Did a vet verify that the eye problems are consistent with UV exposure as opposed to other eye problems? Is there an issue with the age of the tortoise? And so on.

I've posted often that I prefer long bulbs, and if you have to use a coil for some reason, to point it to the side of the habitat to try to lessen the possibilities.

I'll also admit that 'word of mouth' was a poor choice of words, but for the life of me I could not think of the word I was looking for- anecdotal.