UVB to enhance viv

[snakescorral]

I recently got a pair of fat tails, against my husbands protesting, of course. So when I did, I decided to setting up uvb for both the fat tails and the leopard geckos I already had, to enhance the vivariums. Its nothing out of this world but I think it will make the atmosphere look nice in the daytime. Thats what I'm going for, since I know the geckos are nocturnal and wont benefit much from it. I am contemplating what uvb to use. I was going some research in another forum about what lights people use for desert geckos, if they use them. I read alot of people using desert series 50 tubes by zilla. I know of people who have them for beardies and other tortoises, but not for leos. They say the bulbs are good and as I said I've heard a lot of leo owners using them, too. Anyone have any thoughts on bulb usage and leopard geckos?

[Silly-atus]

Originally Posted by snakescorral

..... I decided to setting up uvb for both the fat tails and the leopard geckos I already had, to enhance the vivariums. Its nothing out of this world but I think it will make the atmosphere look nice in the daytime.....

Ultra-violet light is not part of the visible spectrum, so it's not going to enhance your enclosure one bit during the day. UVB is in the middle of the ultra-violet range, it's even farther from the visible spectrum than UVA. If you're just looking for a nice light to make the enclosure look better, get a fluorescent with a high Kelvin rating *it should be stated somwhere on the packaging or tube itself*. Sunlight is around 5000 degrees Kelvin, so a daylight tube with a 5000-6000 K rating would be nice and bright. "Warm" rated tubes add more red or yellow light which looks dark and dingy, but it does have some uses. Also, if possible, find one that's got a colour rendering index (CRI) as close to 100 as possible. Chances are you might have to settle for 80-90 range, they seem to be the most common. A high CRI means the colours aren't distorted much, they're pretty close to their natural colour in daylight.

If you're getting plant grow-lights, you'll find the light might be dull, pinkish or violet, and not at all pleasing. These lights are geared to produce light in the part of the spectrum that enhances plant growth and food production. Unfortunately, that's the duller/dimmer part of the visible spectrum, so they don't appeal to us for beautifying the enclosure. Luckily, plants do thrive with high Kelvin and CRI tubes, so you don't have to sacrifice beautiful plants for visible light beauty.

For nocturnal geckos, I'd stay away from the ultra high UVB lights. Some of them, such as high output tubes and compact fluorescent, (a.k.a. CF) have been implicated in eye damage if the animals get too close or too much time exposed to it. Even bearded dragons, known sun worshippers made for the unforgiving sunlight in the Outback, have had their eyes 'fried' under some of the lights. UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test

Also consider the fact that adding UVB to the enclosure could induce the geckos to produce their own Vitamin D3. If you also supplement their food with D3, you'll have to be extremely careful that they don't end up with too much D3 in their systems.

[snakescorral]

wow thanks for the extensive post. So to enhance to reptile and enhance the viv are two different lights. That I didn't know. I saw the packaging for the zilla lights and says I can use them for leopard geckos. As far as damaging the leos, I've talked to lots that have used them and no problems. They are nocturnal, right? So how much real exposure will they get to the uvb?