UV Sensors

[donprec]

I was at the store to pick up a timer and noticed a pack of UV sensors for $3. I know there are higher tech uv readers for much more money but I was curious, bought these and tried them.
My reptisun 10.0 lights will be 6 months the 28th of this month, and I have the new lights just haven't put them in yet. But the readings from these sensors really shocked me! Putting the card exactly at the basking spots (for Precious and my older skink) the readings were below the low range. Of course, when I put the card up within 3-4 inches of the light, the uv reading was high.
I have a newer light (2 months) for my younger skink that did give off a reading from the basking spot but that barely made it into the low range. Are these things accurate?!
Here's the link to them:
http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/bul...e-uv-sensor-zid36-5230138/cat-36-catid-500036

 

[PatsyB]

I've been looking for these at my PetSmarts and they don't have them. They aren't 100% accurate but they do give you some idea as to where things are.

Do you have the UVB lights inside the tanks or sitting on the mesh top? Because they do say with the T8 10.0 ReptiSun if you put it on the mesh, you need to get the dragon about 4-6 inches away from it in order for it to get the needed UVB.

 

[donprec]

No mesh, the lights are mounted to the ceiling of their enclosures. And they have reflectors.

 

[PatsyB]

Wow. I wonder what it's going to say when you put the new bulbs in. Did you try using more than one card to see if you got the same reading?

 

[donprec]

I was going to put them in this weekend, I'll let you know. I only tried the one card yet. I'll try the others as well, hadn't thought of that. I have a hard time believing it though, of course I don't have any long term readings but if these lights were that low for a while...I can't imagine all of my gang looking as healthy as they've been looking?

 

[donprec]

Ok, so I'm less convinced with these sensors now. I tried all 3 cards with the old lights, all the readings were the same. Changed to the new lights, the readings on all 3 cards were almost the same, just barely into the low range. My basking spots are about 8-10 inches from the uvb. When I brought the cards up to about 6 inches from the uvb, I did get deeper into the low range, heading toward moderate. It makes me wonder if I should make the basking spots higher but then they'd be too close to the basking bulb! Plus, I thought the 10.0 was specifically meant to reach 12 inches?
Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I went to go turn on their lights, totally forgot I had set them on the timer for 7am (wasn't fully awake, hadn't had my coffee yet!). The lights were on and everyone was already out awake and basking! It took me a while but I'm finally on the timer bandwagon, I'm sold! I need 2 more outlets on timer so I'm going back to the store.
Patsy, would you like me to send you a pack of the sensors? I'm kind of curious now, would love to know someone else's readings with these. I'm going back there today so I could easily pick up another pack, they had a few others.

 

[PatsyB]

I may order them. Luci loves his hide so much I'm thinking of getting one for Dexter and see what she thinks. He's just an inch shorter than she is and rounder so I think she'll fit. Petsmart is the only place to get the hide. Thanks for the offer though!

I've always wanted to buy an actual sensor to see what it reads. Would be interesting.

 

[jarich]

Ya, these are a waste of money unfortunately. Essentially what they are is a UVA sensor, which is simpler/cheaper to measure. Its loosely based on a set ratio of UVA and UVB in sunlight however. The problem is that with artificial lights, those ratios are all over the place, hence why some lights are called 2% or 6% or 10% UVB depending on the brand/bulb type. So all that it is reading is the amount of UVA (and its not reading it very specifically) that the bulb is producing. Unfortunately this same theory holds true for those little keychain ones that are like $25, and pretty much anything cheaper than $200. The $250 version from Solarmeter are the best 'cheaper' one you can find, and will give you the knowledge of your lights that you need. The best ones are around $5000, so the $200 ones are an amazing improvement!

In case any of you millionaires were looking for gift ideas for me this Christmas, I wouldnt say no to an Ocean Optics USB2000 w/UVB fibre optic sensor and cosine corrector. A steal at $4700!

 

[Candybugs]

I'll work on Santa for you

 

[PatsyB]

Ya, these are a waste of money unfortunately. Essentially what they are is a UVA sensor, which is simpler/cheaper to measure. Its loosely based on a set ratio of UVA and UVB in sunlight however. The problem is that with artificial lights, those ratios are all over the place, hence why some lights are called 2% or 6% or 10% UVB depending on the brand/bulb type. So all that it is reading is the amount of UVA (and its not reading it very specifically) that the bulb is producing. Unfortunately this same theory holds true for those little keychain ones that are like $25, and pretty much anything cheaper than $200. The $250 version from Solarmeter are the best 'cheaper' one you can find, and will give you the knowledge of your lights that you need. The best ones are around $5000, so the $200 ones are an amazing improvement!

In case any of you millionaires were looking for gift ideas for me this Christmas, I wouldnt say no to an Ocean Optics USB2000 w/UVB fibre optic sensor and cosine corrector. A steal at $4700!

Do you think the Solarmeter 6.2 is okay for the "cheaper" side. Been looking at the 6.2 and the 6.5. The 6.2 goes for $199 on Amazon.

 

[jarich]

Definitely, its a great meter and will tell you what you need to know regarding time to change bulbs, etc. The 6.5 is a little easier to use and a little more sensitive is all. Both are great though.

 

[joshua123]

Any kind soul can send to Singapore for my Xmas present? Haha