UV gone on MVB?

[Piers Cresswell]

Hi

My girlfriend got up the other day and saw that the bulb above our tort table wasn't on (it's on a timer). It didn't come on so she took it out and put it back in and got it working eventually. She said that there was a strange blue light coming out of it to begin with.

I am a bit paranoid that the UV element may have blown. The light seems more yellow than white now, however I am not sure if that is just part of my paranoia making me see things.

Is there any way I can test that the light is still producing UV?

Thanks

 

[dmmj]

yes a solar meter will check to see the output level of the UV

 

[Lyn W]

Are you using an MVB Piers?
When they switch off they have a delay and don't come straight back on.
I thought I'd broken mine when it first happened, but I haven't tried it on a timer.
Unfortunately a solar meter is the only way to test uv and they cost about £200!
But in our climate when our torts rely on artificial uvb it could be the most cost efficient way to test if bulbs need replacing.

 

[Robber]

When they first come on, the tint of the light looks different until it warms up fully. Also as the other poster mentioned, they usually have to cool down for a few minutes before they will come back on. They can also be pretty sensitive and may go on and off in certain fixtures; you may want to try a different/upgraded fixture if it keeps having issues.