Got my ReptiSun 2.0 UVB Bulb - 15 watt ***OMG***

[Guest]

I got it yesterday and my Hubby hooked it all up for me last night and I couldn't wait to use it after reading what Christa said about it at hermit-crabs.com and how it raises their activity level. Well, let me tell you she was right big time... I turned it on this morning when the sun came up and they were like junkies and I mean they woke right up and started exploring the tank, eating, drinking and playing with shells it was kinda weird if that makes any sence LOL I have 31 Hermies in this tank and out of 31 I counted 27 up and running around like crazy. I got it at http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... 006+113056 and I want to Thank Christa for having that info at her site. I highly recommend this light.. I want to go watch my Hermies play so I have to go for now but if you have any questions just let me know.. I wanted to let every one know how great it is.Samdra<---And her active Hermies

[Aviate]

I am ordering one today. Thanks for reminding me!How do U know what size you need tho? I have a regular 20 gallon with a normal flourescent lid. Help, anyone!

[Guest]

I think You'll need the 18 in, it fits into a standered hood. My Hubby has the 55 Gal and it's still the 18 in. He would just need 2 I was just watching them and it is unbelievable how they are acting. This activity has been going on since this morning at 9:00 am and it is 1:30 pm here now. Should I worry about them, are they ever going to crash out? ROFLMBO Oh yeah my PP's don't seem to be enjoying it as much as the E's, Cavipes and Ruggies. But the ones that are enjoying look as though they are basking in it like my Daughters Bearded Dragon does, HummmmmmmmmmSandra

[Guest]

Fun, lol they were so crazy yesterday that I didn't hear a peep out of them all night. I even got a flash light out to make sure they were all ok about 1:00 am and they were all sleeping soundly. Those silly Party Hounds, ROFLMBO I got to tell you I was kinda worried about them yesterday I have never seen such crazy Hermit Crab activity ever.. When I used to bathe them every week I saw some extra activity but nothing like this Every one should get one of these lights (if your tank is big enough)it's great. I don't think I am going to leave it on as long today, lolSandra

[Guest]

I'm thinking a 10 Gal. would be ok, I just wouldn't leave the light on all day or any thing. The light bulb itself is 18 inches long, and that fits in a standard 10 Gal. hood. I was talking more about members who have Hermies in KK and that might be to much on them. Sandra

[Rachel]

Have you noticed any change in temp since you started using this bulb? The bulb I'm using now (Repti Glo 20W, 24") raises the temp in my tank 2-3 degrees...just enough to make my crabbies happier. I really want to try one of these bulbs out, but it's gotta do something for the temp too.

[Guest]

Yes the temp does go up about 4 or 5 degrees but thats fine with me to. My Hermies like it a bit warmer any way. In the morning my temp is like 74* and when the sun comes up I turn on my light and it goes up to a warm 78* to 79* within minutes of me turning it on they wake up, it's so cool. I think you and your Hermies will like it. Mine are still loven it. They look like they have had way to much coffee Sandra

[Guest]

Woo Hoo for Aviate, I will tell you all some thing if you promise not to get mad at me I was looking around last night at petguys.com and found the same light for under $10.00 Sorry please don't kill me, lol But it really is worth a lot more then what I spent any way so I don't regret spending more for it. I can't wait until you both get yours and try it at first I thought my PP's didn't like it much because I never saw them out when it was on but then I remembered that I gave all my bigger PP's to my Hubby for his tank so now I only have like 5 PP's in my tank out of 32 so it makes sence that I see my E's Ruggies and Cavipes more. I hope that all made sence, sorry it's 5:30 am here I just woke up Sandra

[silvercamaro77]

I want one, but I'm trying to figure out a way that I can use it on all my tanks (not at one time ) without having to replace the lids (I have screen lids on all 5 tanks). Anyone have any ideas?

[Guest]

I don't know if this is a good idea or not but could you just lay a piece of glass over the screen lid and then put the light on it that way??Mine is on top of a piece of glass and it still works great.Sandra

[CrabbyJ]

You can just use a strip for a 10 gallon on all of your tanks. I just cut an extra hole out of the top (which is cardboard/contact paper and plastcic wrap) that's big enough for the 10 gallon sized strip and add lights and a little duct tape. It's the cheapest alternative I've found.Also, I've found the strip lights online are cheaper than any store I've been to. You can find them with 2 sockets and 2 cords so you can use them in a day/night cycle. I got one for Christmas called bilight 2. It was pricey, but it's made of metal and very sturdy and has the 2 plugs...Bilight:Joni

[silvercamaro77]

The problem is that with all the strip lights I've found is that they will either have to face up so that's its the wrong direction, or the bulb itself will have to be flat on something and that won't be safe or stable.I want something like that bilight, but for a flourescent bulb. The sides go down past where the bulb is so that it can sit on top of something and face the right direction, plus I could move it from tank to tank.

[Aviate]

isnt a strip light designed to go right on the aquarium hood?

[Ariel]

The strip light fixture I use for my turtle tank is independant from a hood, and sits over his screen tank. I'm pretty sure that if you want to use one in a hood, you have to buy one equipped to hold a fluorescent bulb.Sandra- Glass (and I would presume plexiglass) filters out nearly all UVB rays. But that doesn't really matter, as hermies are nocturnal and aren't really out in sunlight much anyway. Though, a low UVB-level like your 2.0 might help with molts.The intesting thing is, I placed my turtle's light over their tank (a ReptiSun 5.0) for about half an hour and it didn't effect their activity much at all, in fact they did more hiding than before. My hermies are active all day long, though, so I wonder if the extra light was too much for it and caused the oppisite effect? Hmm.

[Guest]

yes you can use strip light right on aquarium hood . my hubbie just got me a light fixture by flukers that is called a incandescent fixture. it holds 2 lights with 2 switches, but only has one cord. you use the skinny round lightbulbs with it . or you can use the reg type bulbs, you just have to raise fixture off glass . i used large lego's to raise my old fixture off glass.hope this makes sense. if you use regular, not tempered, glass be careful bulbs are far enough above it or it will crack and break ( i learned that the hard way). this fixture will work on a glass lid or screen too.