Equipment Review and Discussion :: Setup and Equipment?

[terrapin!]

Hellooo Was just wondering if its wise to go with this setup for 1 RES:

Tank:
125 Gallon tank + Cabinet - Open Hood
2 External Filters: Eheim 2028 Proffesional 3
*The other filter I wasn't too sure what to get
1 Hydor ETH External Thermal Heater 300W
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ATBA (Above Tank Basking Area):
Plexi-glass topper with acrylic ramp
1x MVB 60w EB - Reptile UV lamp.
1x normal light bulb (for heat).

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Decorations would be added but was just wondering what do you think? Any changes? And what would you recommend for the second filter. OH yes and what substrate would you recommend I've heard everything from sand, to bare bottom to slate chips. The other thing I had in mind was the lighting: Whats the difference from the 70w Metal Halide and 60w EB from Reptile UV? (http://www.megaray.co.uk/index.php?page=60w%20EB
http://www.megaray.co.uk/index.php?page ... l%20Halide)

Thanks!

[rsour24]

it looks pretty good. if i were you id just get a fluval fx5. than ud only need one filter
the light thing i cant answer for you, idk :/

[steve]

Looks like they produce an excessive amount of UVA (according to http://www.anapsid.org/liteheat.html) though I think there needs to be more data on the subject to determine what's right for your setup. If you were going to have two lamps in there, I would go with a CFL and a Halogen flood light.

[Marcus.85]

Sounds very good, but why would you need a mvb AND a regular bulb?
For the second filter I'd recommend anothere 2028, so that if one broke down you could use it for spare parts.
Or a big fx5 in place of the 2.
As substrate I'd go with yellow/white/grey sand.

[terrapin!]

Well I've read up that Externall ballasted bulbs (MVB) ones dont produce heat - well reptileuv ones, and thats the reason why people use them over SB (self ballasted). Because its the fillment within the bulb that goes - and EB ones don't use them so it make the bulb more prolong if you get me - 18 months I think. And ermm for that reason I'd need a normal bulb to manage the heat level. And its explained on : http://www.megaray.co.uk/index.php?page=60w%20EB - also I was following info from: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercvapournarrowfloods.htm which states that there ok :/ so unsure now especially with the info u've given steve. Also is Fluval Fx5 good - I heard there not that brilliant and especially with all the waste that turtles produce - can anyone give me an insight.

[steve]

The "more data" I was referring to was the metal halide version. The MVB has a very good record here. Metal halides producing UVB has only been around a couple of years with a small number of manufacturers.

The FX5 has some big fans here, it's worth it if it's within your budget. Eheim canisters are also well regarded.