Bulbs and Filters

The following tables are based on tables by lighting specialist William H. Gehrmann, in Evaluation of Artificial Lighting (in Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 1996, edited by Douglas Mader DVM):

Representative Light Sources and their Principal Types of Radiation Source

Sun

UVB 290-320 nm, UVA 320-400 nm, Visible 400-700 nm, Infrared 700 nm

Incandescents (frosted, reflector floods, spots, halogen lamps)

UVA 320-400 nm (low levels), Visible 400-700 nm, Infrared 700 nm

Fluorescents: Chroma 50, Colortone 50, Design50, Cool White, Warm White

Visible 400-700 nm UVB 280-320 nm (low levels), UVA 320-400 nm (low levels), Visible 400-700 nm

Plant Lights

Emphasize red and blue spectrums within Visible 400-700 nm

Blacklights (BL)

UVB 290-320 nm (low levels similar to Vitalites), UVA 320-400 nm

Blacklight Blue (BLB Same as BL but with less blue light emitted)

Reported harmful to eyes

Sun lamps

High levels of UVB causes skin cancer, cataracts, etc.

High Intensity Discharge Mercury, Metal Halide

Visible 400-700 nm, Infrared 700 nm; UVA and UVB are shielded due to extensive damage to skin and eyes caused by such high intensity

Transmission of UV Radiation through Various Materials

Window glass	single thick	785
Acrylite GP acrylic	0.635 cm	60
Acrylite OP-4 acrylic	.318 cm	8979
UV-T Plexiglas	.635 cm	8964
Cellulose triacetate		6730
Galvanized mesh	.318 cm (0.13")	6771
Galvanized mesh	1.270 cm (0.5")	8283

Note: graphic by Michel.