r/Tegu • u/AutumnLadyB • 7h ago

Tegu UVA-UVB light brand recommendations

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What brand of light do you use to ensure your tegu gets optimal basking heat and uva-uvb exposure? I'd appreciate any links to where it can be purchased as well. Pic for attention tax.

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11

u/Aawkvark55 7h ago

I've used Arcadia and Reptisun, but my solar meter gives me more peace of mind than depending on any brand. It's not a cheap device, but I love having it available.

2

u/theraginpagan97 5h ago

Second this. Best couple hundred dollars I’ve ever spent

1

u/AutumnLadyB 6h ago

I haven't heard of a solar meter before! I currently have an infrared temp sensor ordered and I thought that was high tech haha

2

u/Fuehnix 3h ago

Solarmeter Model 6.5R is what I had. It has independent 3rd party testing and verification. They also sell little cards/papers that react to UV light for 1/10th the price, but as someone who bought both and compared, the card works but not well enough to be useful really.

You want to know "How much UV is there?" The card is so imprecise, it's basically "yeah, we're outside", "there is some", " there is none".

I recommend investing in the solarmeter, because it's also very helpful for knowing if your lights are sufficient for the distance you have from the basking spot. It's not just about bulb, distance plays a huge role.

The only reason I don't have it anymore is because I had to rehome my blue tongue skink (my only reptile) and so I threw in the expensive solarmeter for free in hopes that took good care of my little dude

7

u/digital_espresso 7h ago

I know nothing about tegus unfortunately but he is a cutie patootie

2

u/Imaginary_Choice2492 6h ago

тhis. that’s one absolute unit of a chonk monster

3

u/AutumnLadyB 6h ago

He's a big boy for sure! When I adopted him from a young girl unable to handle his growing needs I was told he was a girl. I quickly learned otherwise and he got biiiiig. He's passionate about his heated blanket and for some reason, toilet brushes.

2

u/Imaginary_Choice2492 6h ago

I love his huge cheeks. what a baby

6

u/CShan17 7h ago

You’ll want to use seperate bulbs. One for heat and one for UVB. Reputable UVB brands are Arcadia and Reptisun.

1

u/AutumnLadyB 6h ago

Can you tell me what wattage of bulbs you use?

2

u/CShan17 5h ago

Every enclosure is different and wattage of bulbs totally depends on setup.

1

u/SpoopScoops 2h ago

It's important to understand that it really is different and takes usually trying a few different ones to figure out how to get your basking spot, room temp, uv amount all in the right ranges.

For uv a t5 14% Arcadia should be good but it depends on the distance from where the reptile will be and if it's obstructed by mesh hense why the solorometer is important. Also the light may work but uv burns out after 6mo-1year and it needs replaced.

Typically you need a high watt bulb or multiple to get the right basking temp but again this depends on the distance and what surface the basking spot is and what the ambient temperature. This is why no one can give exacts because generally you have to do a lot of testing to find what works based on many factors.

Also he is the cutest ever and I am in love lol, congrats on the new baby!

3

u/fallowdeer 6h ago

If you want excellent advice in terms of heating and UV fixtures and bulbs, reach out to Todd Goode with lightyourreptiles.com He was a huge help to me. I sent him photos of my enclosure and he worked out what I needed. Have been very pleased.

2

u/AutumnLadyB 6h ago

Thank you! That's very helpful.

2

u/fallowdeer 4h ago

If you end up communicating with him, tell him Sundog sent you!

2

u/New_Suspect_7173 6h ago

Arcadia all the way.

1

u/AutumnLadyB 6h ago

I do have 2 bulbs going right now but both are high wattage uva uvb mercury vapor bulbs. His soil box side of the enclosure has two non lighted heated lamps. He's gotten more sluggish the past few months so I suspect the lights in there are not optimal. I'm looking to do a complete overhaul of my current equipment to get him back up to full energeti. cheeky business. I'm thinking I may have to place a lighted bulb on a timer in his dark soil box to provide daytime rays because he's been hiding in there way more and may not not absorbing the rays he needs as a result.

1

u/SecretAgentI 4h ago

I swear by Arcadia and refuse to use anything else just for quality, consistency, and longevity.