Adult Leo UVB help

Question
QUESTION: Hi Diane,I don't know if you remeber me but you helped me a lot when I first got my leopard gecko. It's been about a year now. She's doing wonderful. I just put her in a new cage and I have been talking to expert Tracie but she is now maked out. This is what's going on. I purchased my Leo a UVB bulb buy came to relise that it was the bad kind of bulb since it was a spiral type. I went to petsmart and purchased the fluorecent bulb. Can you let me know if this is ok. It is a desert bulb that is 50 UVB t8 fluoresent bulb. The fixture site 18 inches above my Leo and she has plenty enough places to hide. Is this all good? Thanks you so much.

ANSWER: Hi Taylor!!!
Yep, I remember you.  Its great to hear your leo is doing well.
Since leos are nocturnal, they don't need a lot of uvb, in fact, many people say they don't need any at all but the way I see it, unless they live in the deep bowels of a cave, they will get some real sunshine(uvb). The bulb won't provide a huge amount of uvb and with it that far above, the amount is even less, but all is fine for a leo. As the bulb gets older,(6-9 mos most likely) you will have to move it a bit closer for the uvb to get to your leo.   
Good that she has plenty of hiding places.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Great,glade to hear it. So the bulb I have now is good for her now correct?

Also can you explain to me why the curly bulbs are bad for the reptiles. Im surprised a company will sell products that can hurt your reptile.  

Answer
Hi Taylor,
Please go to this link and check the SKU number on the box your light came in.  The reason I say this is that there were problems with some of their bulbs but they said they  have since fixed it but some stores MAY still have the older ones in stock.
http://www.zilla-rules.com/assets/006/13278.pdf If the SKU on the one you have isn't listed, then its fine.
There are no laws that oversee what manufacturers say are safe for reptiles.  They also don't test products as they need to be tested unless there are several complaints/problems...Its people, like us, that test products and alert the company that there are problems and will even argue with companies about their products safety.
With the coil lights, the problem is in the way it puts out the uvb...they tend to throw the uvb to the sides and not downward toward the reptile. With some lizards, its not a problem as they don't require much uvb, but with reptiles that need to have a high uvb, its a major problem.
With reptiles that don't need high amounts of uvb, such as the leos, they light is pretty bright form the coils, which may bother their eyes to an extent when there isn't enough "shade" to disuse the brightness.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_Meter_Owners/message/4417 is a very good post on another group pertaining to leopard geckos and uvb.