black light bulbs?

breezeetew · Post by **breezeetew** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:58 am

This is the time of year to get them, so... a few questions:Does anyone use these for heat? They burn so hot, I was thinking of using them, but would have to modify the plexi lid to avoid melting...Are they any way beneficial, or just for heat?Sorry, I think someone posted about these before when we were talking about moon glo lights for heat and I was wondering if they were the same thing- they aren't if I remember right. But still, using them for heat is an option, I think...

tnyfootprntz · Post by **tnyfootprntz** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:27 am

My guess would be that it'd be fine as a heat source but have no idea if it affects hermies in any way other than providing warmth. What is it, 60 watt? That should kick temps up a few degrees at least.

breezeetew · Post by **breezeetew** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:35 am

either 40 or 60. I have been looking for a 25, but no luck so far. I am more worried about getting too warm than not enough, but I thought that for winter I keep the house cooler and I might try the black lights since I have them sitting around.

Post by **JediMasterThrash** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:28 pm

Where in the heck is my post!!! Argh. I have actually been trying to find that post for over a month now, and it's completely gone. Someone must have deleted the whole thread.Basically, blacklights and moon-glos are NOT the same thing, and I do not recommend using blacklights in crab tanks at all.Blacklights are lights coated with phosphores that emit light only in the UVA range (some UVB, and some purple as well, which is why we just see purple/blue).The problem is it emits very high amounts of UVA, and so does the sun. Reptiles see in the UVA range, and they use UVA to tell when it's day/sunny out. So by putting a blacklight in the tank, a reptile would thing it's the sun, NOT the moon! I have no idea how hermit crabs see, but so who knows. But it's better safe than sorry.Moon-glo/night-glo bulbs use phosphores to emit a light spectrum that mimics the reflected light from the moon. Since the light being reflected off the moon came from the sun, there's bound to be some UVA in there too, but it should be less. Significantly less than black-lights anyway.As proof, take something that glows under blacklight. Put it under a moonglo. It won't glow at all, not even a little bit. That means there's there's not that much UV coming out of it.

breezeetew · Post by **breezeetew** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:36 pm

Thanks for coming to the rescue JMT!I knew I wasn't imagining the post where you explained the difference.I can't use the blacklights I have anyway because they are 75 watt (way too hot) and they are very specific to say only use upright and they would have been sideways in my light strip.Aside from all that... I don't really want to know what all in a crab tank will glow- bad stuff and all...By the way, I think the "night glo" light in the tiny nano cube I got is not a moon glo but a blacklight because the pink gravel glows as does the little tank itself. Black light for sure!

tnyfootprntz · Post by **tnyfootprntz** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:41 am

I bought a 60-Watt version of this blacklight by G.E. because the packaging led me to think it was o.k. heating for terrarium pets. The back of the box touts "a complete lighting line designed with the warmth and comfort of your pet in mind..." but then follows with a little disclaimer-type of statement, "...the best conditions will always be achieved with a complete understanding of your pet's unique needs." Now I've got two 50-watt Heat Glo bulbs on at night, aimed at the front of the tank (at a slight angle), and more crabs than ever have stirred from their hideys for the best perch positions to soak in the warmth.But I should probably get the moon-glo's to use at night? Or will it matter that much if the red lights stay on at night? Certainly doesn't seem to affect them negatively as far as activity, eating, etc. I like the cozy "fireplace" look of the tank at night, too.