This research project will study the output of UVB from several well-known mercury vapor bulbs and fluorescent tubes. This research will include: strength of UVB when the bulb is brand new, strength of UVB at varying distances, strength of UVB over a measured period of time, and strength of UVB through various materials (ie, plexiglass, glass, acrylic, screen mesh, plastic).

Below is a chart that compares all of the bulbs that I have tested so far. Keep in mind that the UVB readings below are from brand new bulbs. Please go to a specific bulbs test page to see the readings on the bulb as it ages.
Distance from bulb:
3"
6"
9"
12"
15"
18"
Irradiance (measured in uW/cm2)
49
24
14
10
7
5
59
29
18
12
8
6
100
93
22
16
5
4
41 / 97
44 / 93
27 / 63
16 / 99
16 / 86
6 / 53
12
7
4
3
2
1
265
115
71
47
37
26
4
2
1
0
0
0
Mega Ray
660
330
260
165
116
61

The UVB readings below were taken by Cheri S. of Reptile Rooms. The reason there are split readings on the T-Rex bulbs is because the UVB intensity changed at a 30 degree angle. The first number is the reading directly below the center of the bulb and the second reading is at a 30 degree angle (same distance).

Note: All Powersuns tested in the chart below are flood bulbs.

Bulb Type
Age
3"
6"
9"
12"
15"
18"
Powersun (160 watt)
1 year
167
99
52
31
18
14
Powersun (160 watt)
1 year
73
31
16
12
8
6
Powersun (160 watt)
1 year +
55
22
18
8
5
4
Powersun (160 watt)
7 mo.
176
72
67
39
28
20
Powersun (160 watt)
6 - 7 mo.
152
37
22
15
12
10
Powersun (160 watt)
6 mo.
150
78
63
17
15
12
Powersun (160 watt)
new
260
185
98
79
37
24
Powersun (160 watt)
new
227
154
83
64
32
22
Powersun (160 watt)
new
234
160
92
74
38
27
Powersun (100 watt)
9 mo.
27
22
14
9
5
3
T-Rex Spot (100 watt)
6 mo.
39/90
47/117
37/109
32/55
17/31
14/22
T-Rex Spot (100 watt)
new
73/73
171/61
403/55
332/120
230/64
95/157
High Noon (100 watt)
new
176
141
51
32
16
10
GE SpectraRays (20 watt, 24")
3 mo.
6
3
2
1
1
1
ExoTerra 8.0
6 mo.
93
57
39
24
16
11
ESU Super UV Coil (20 watt)
1 week
50
59
38
13
7
4
This chart represents information from a few of my fellow herpers that also have the same UVB meter.
Bulb Tested (brand, wattage, type)
Age of bulb
Distance
Reading
Capture the Sun (160 watt flood)
2 months
11"
41
Dura-Lite Power Twist
brand new
3", 12"
0, 0
ESU Super UV coil lamp (20 watts)
brand new
9"
50
ESU Super UV Daylight (3% UVA, 7% UVB)
brand new
12", 36"
1, 0
ESU Super Daylight
brand new
3", 6", 12"
5, 0, 0
ESU Desert (7%)
brand new
3", 6", 12"
20, 10, 0
Exo-Terra 8.0 (18 inches, 15 watts)
brand new
3", 6", 15"
75, 36, 17
Exo-Terra 8.0 (18 inches, 15 watts)
2 months
10"
27
Exo-Terra 8.0 (18 inches, 15 watts)
3 months
10"
34
GE Infrared Spot (250 watts)
brand new
12", 36"
0, 0
Hagen 8.0 (40 watt, 48" long)
8 months
6", 12"
51, 27
Lumichrome F40WIxx 6500 K
brand new
12", 36"
3, 1
Metal Halide (400 watt)
2 years old
12 ", 36"
35, 18
NEC Black Light T10
brand new
3", 6", 12", 18"
50, 30, 10, 5
Osram Ultra VitaLux (300 watt flood)
brand new
12", 20"
755, 432
Phillips Spot (150 watt)
brand new
12"
0
Phillips TL (medical grade tube)
brand new
3", 12", 24", 36"
430, 120, 40, 20
Reptisun 2.0
brand new
3", 6"
10, 0
Reptisun 5.0 (18" long, screen in between)
4 months
6"
11
Reptisun 5.0 (18" long, without screen in between)
several months
6"
40
Reptisun 5.0 (18" long)
3 months
4", 6", 8", 12"
54, 28, 20, 7
Reptisun 5.0 (24" long)
1 month
5"
34
Reptisun 5.0(24" long)
5 months
6"
48
Reptisun 5.0(24" long)
7 months
12"
10
Reptisun 5.0 (24" long)
10 months
6"
13
Reptisun 5.0 (24" long)
2 1/2 years
12"
12
Reptisun 5.0 (36" long)
9 months
5"
10
Reptisun 5.0 (36" long)
brand new
5"
36
Reptisun 5.0 (36" long)
6 months
6", 8", 12", 15"
24, 18, 13, 9
Reptisun 5.0 (48" long)
6 1/2 months
8"
46
Reptisun 5.0 (48" long)
2+ years
12"
27
Reptisun 5.0 (48" long)
1 year
12 "
30
Reptisun 5.0 (48" long)
14 months
3", 6"
45, 18
Reptisun 5.0 (48" long)
brand new
12"
32
Reptisun 5.0 (48" long)
8 months
4", 6", 8", 12"
36, 23, 17, 9
Reptisun Desert (40 watt)
brand new
12", 36"
1, 0
Sylvania 350BL (40 watt)
4 months
12"
123
Sylvania 350BL (30 watt)
brand new
12", 36"
1, 2
Sylvania Repti-Star
brand new
3", 6", 12", 18"
30, 15, 5, 0
T-Rex Active UVHeat (100 watt spot) through screen
3 days
12", 18"
225, 142
T-Rex Active UVHeat (160 watt spot)
6 weeks
17"
127
T-Rex Active UVHeat (160 watt spot)
6 weeks
24"
95
UVHeat (160 watt)
2 years
5", 8"
10, 5
Verilux (40 watt)
brand new
12"
2
Verilux (30 watt)
brand new
12"
2
Westron R-40 (60 watt spot)
1 month
12", 24", 36"
700, 204, 135
Westron R-40 (60 watt spot)
2 weeks
12"
580
Westron R-40 (60 watt spot)
new
12"
1730
Westron Par 30 (60 watt spot)
10 months
15"
25
Westron Spot (160 watts)
brand new
36"
269
Westron Spot (160 watts)
1.5 years
12"
57
Westron Flood (160 watts)
brand new
36"
61
Westron Flood (300 watts)
brand new
12", 36"
39, 15
Zoomed Powersn (100 watt flood)
2 months
10", 12"
12, 10
Zoomed Powersun (160 watt flood)
1 month
8"
51
Zoomed Powersun (160 watt flood)
2 months
12"
36
Zoomed Powersun (160 watt flood)
4 - 5 months
10"
39

RESEARCH DONATIONS!

Solartech has made this research project possible by allowing me the use of one of their high tech UVB meters, the Solarmeter Model 6.2. Special thanks to Steve Mackin at Solartech for all the help and support. I highly recommend getting one of these Solarmeters.

Big Apple Herp. has generously donated a Capture the Sun 100 watt flood bulb to be used in this research project. Special thanks to Andy at Big Apple Herp. for sending the bulb and contributing to this project.

T-Rex has recently donated an Active UVHeat 100 watt bulb to be included in this reasearch project. Also, they donated three bottles of Dragon Dust. I can't wait to try it out and see how my dragons like it. Thank you T-Rex!

Thank you Alissa Gress (Bloomington, MN) for your gracious donation of the Sun Seeker 8.0 UVB bulb for research!

Rob Talkington donated two bulbs to my research; a 160 watt Powersun and a 160 watt Capture the Sun. Thanks Rob!

This is a list of bulbs that I would like to test but do not have yet. I also included the name of the website where I found the bulb. If you would like to make a contribution towards this research, I encourage you to e-mail me and send me your bulb for testing!

ReptiSun 2.0 by Zoomed (ReptileDirect)

Active UV Heat 60 watt & 100 watt with ballast (UVHeat)

Ultralux 100 & 160 watt flood mercury vapor bulb (DragonLights)

Super UV Daylight Lamp by ESU (ReptileDirect)

Desert 7% UVB by ESU (ReptileDirect)

Repti Glo 2.0, 5.0, & 8.0 by Hagen (ReptileDirect)

Sun-Glo by Hagen (HerpSupplies)

ColorMax by Coralife (HerpSupplies)

Verilux Natural Daylight (HerpSupplies)

Triton Reptile UVB (HerpSupplies)

Daylight UV (HerpSupplies)

Ott fluorescent bulb (usually found at home improvement stores like Home Depot in the Garden section)

Chromalux Lumichrome (LLLreptile)

Sylvania ReptiStar (?)

Solar Brite UVB (AAAreptilesupply)

Vita-Lite (NaturalLighting)

D3 Reptile Lamp by Arcadia (Arcadia)

Dura Lite Power Twist (?)

 

If you know of a bulb that I don't have on my list and that I'm not currently testing, please e-mail me and let me know. Thanks!

For more info on ultraviolet light you might want to look at the following website.

Lighting and its use in Herpetology by Matthew R. O'Brien (PDF)
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