What bulb for american toads?

[ViperJr]

I'm no expert what so ever, but frogs rarely (if never) need UVA and UVB even less. A 5.0 UVB light sounds really unneccesary and potentially dangerous to me. If you want a CFL bulb that provide plant growth and still is harmless to the frogs, I would use Exo-terra's UVA with the lowest percentage of UVA, which is the 2.0. However, a daylight CFL from Lowes or Home depot works as well both as a light source and to stimulate plant growth. What the plants really want is a broad spectrum of light and the right light-temperature, not necceaarly the UVA.

[Wormwood]

I'd have to agree with the unneccesary and dangerous outlook, go with something with the fewest UVA possible.

American toads are generally nocturnal anyway and don't need direct sunlight to remain healthy and happy.

[Poly]

I'm no expert what so ever, but frogs rarely (if never) need UVA and UVB even less. A 5.0 UVB light sounds really unneccesary and potentially dangerous to me. If you want a CFL bulb that provide plant growth and still is harmless to the frogs, I would use Exo-terra's UVA with the lowest percentage of UVA, which is the 2.0. However, a daylight CFL from Lowes or Home depot works as well both as a light source and to stimulate plant growth. What the plants really want is a broad spectrum of light and the right light-temperature, not necceaarly the UVA.

"Reptisun 2.0" is now the "NatureSun Bulb" which only comes in a full size 18 to 24" florescent bulbs, no CFLs of that size (2.0). So I can pick up a regular CFL and it will work to stimulate the plant growth, without harming the toads...? What CFL would you use?

[ViperJr]

I'm not sure I understand you, but this is the Exo-terra CFL bulb I was talking about (which is the one I would use):
http://exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php
The 2.0 one, which is availble in 2 different wattages (but the UVA-procentage is still the same, which is 2%).

And yes, there have been tons of threads where experinced froggers (like John and DonLisk) recommend "normal" CFL bulbs from places like Home Depot or Lowes. You just have to make sure it's a "daylight" bulb. I don't have the numbers right now, but you want it to be within a certain temperature (color temperature, not how much heat it gives off) and have a certain light spectrum. If you do a quick search on lightning (for frogs and/or plants), I'm sure you can find a lot of information about this.
And according to the information page about the Deep Dome, it should fit a CFL bulb.

Hope this helps!

[ViperJr]

Here's one of the CFL bulbs that I was talking about (Stole it from John in a thread about lightning for White's):
Walmart.com: GE Energy Smart Spiral CFL Daylight Bulb, 20W, 2pk: Decor

[Poly]

I'm not sure I understand you, but this is the Exo-terra CFL bulb I was talking about (which is the one I would use):
http://exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php
The 2.0 one, which is availble in 2 different wattages (but the UVA-procentage is still the same, which is 2%).

And yes, there have been tons of threads where experinced froggers (like John and DonLisk) recommend "normal" CFL bulbs from places like Home Depot or Lowes. You just have to make sure it's a "daylight" bulb. I don't have the numbers right now, but you want it to be within a certain temperature (color temperature, not how much heat it gives off) and have a certain light spectrum. If you do a quick search on lightning (for frogs and/or plants), I'm sure you can find a lot of information about this.
And according to the information page about the Deep Dome, it should fit a CFL bulb.

Hope this helps!

Okay, well why my response didn't make sense is because...

I had planned on buying my lights from Zoo-med (for some reason...?), never even thought of Exo-Terra! Zoo-Med makes there 2.0 bulb in a full size fluorescent only, my hood only accepts CFLs, so I was at a loss, now (thanks to you! ) I see Exo-Terra makes their 2.0's in CFLs.

But now that you mentioned about the normal CFLs, I've got a question...

What's the difference between the Walmart.com: GE Energy Smart Spiral CFL Daylight Bulb, 20W, 2pk: Decor and the Exo-Terra 2.0 (besides the price )?

Both bulbs seem to do the same thing... just a very different prices

I REALLY appreciate all the help Martin! Wish I could add to your rep somehow, I'll have to ask John!

[ViperJr]

Ah, right, I totally missed that you said Zoomed. Misscommunication at its finest

Now, I could be wrong, but from what I've understand, the difference is UV-lightning. The Exo-terra CLF bulb emitts a small amout of UVA (and no UVB). The walmart CFL bulb does not emitt UVA. However, the UVA is not really what's important for the plants, so the ordinary CFL bulb will work just as well (as long as it's the "daylight" one) (according to what other people have said, I've not used an ordinary one myself, just Exo-terra's).
Another aspect that raises the price alot is that the Exo-terra is a "special reptile product". Unfortunatly, this label make products expensive, even when it sometimes does not mean anything at all

[Poly]

Awesome, once again, thanks for the info! The walmart bulbs for a pack of 4 are 9.99$, ONE Exo-Terra bulb is... wait for it... 18.99 at my local per shop! Looks like my toads will have light after all!