Equipment Review and Discussion :: MVB help!!!

[TheComputerGremlin]

Okay, I am almost done upgrading the tank (pics will come as soon as we are set up and good to go). I need to know very specific things about MVBs now!

1) Can I use an MVB? My tank will be 90 gallons, but it will have an ATBA that covers over 80% of the water surface. In other words, almost all of that heat is going to be hitting the ATBA, nothing else. Will this get too hot? Or will it be fine? I have about 2 feet to play with, so I can raise/lower it that much.

2) What bulb do I buy?

3) Where do I buy the bulb? I've looked at the local pet stores and whatnot and don't see any.

4) What fixture do I need? I heard ceramic, but what exactly is a ceramic fixture, and does it need a certain rating? My husband says my current fixture is a ceramic one, but I don't know if the rating will be okay.

Basically, this is the time that if you love *love* LOVE your MVB setup, just tell me the exact brand/make/model/product number and I will buy it!

Thanks!!

[papoopeepoo]

1) Yes, you can use an MVB safely. The temps shouldn't get too high as long as your ambient room temps are within 5 degrees of normal (68-78F or so). Just follow the distance directions on the bulb that you purchase.

2) I, and many others, recommend Mega-Ray bulbs from [url]reptileuv.com[/url]. They have been reliable for me in the past, and they are a nice company to buy from. You should be fine with the 100w internally ballasted or 60w externally ballasted bulb. The main decision you need to make with Mega-Rays is externally or internally ballasted bulbs. My first MVB was internally ballasted and only lasted 6 months, but created enough heat where I only needed the MVB itself. After that I upgraded to an externally ballasted bulb, which lasts much longer, but needs a supplemental heat bulb.

3) If you can purchase online, [url]reptileuv.com[/url] is the place. If you can't purchase online, look for T-Rex brand MVBs at your local pet store, they are made by the same manufacturer as Mega-Ray bulbs.

4) You must have a ceramic fixture for your MVB. You can still have a metal hood, though. All of my ceramic fixtures are rated for 660watts. The fixture is what the bulb actually screws into.

Ceramic Fixture:

[steve]

I agree with Chris. Though Mega-Ray might still be dealing with the defective bulb issue.

If the basking area does get too hot (make sure you get the lowest wattage and the flood model), maybe you can shift it to the site a bit? Or maybe something to diffract the light a bit?

Most lights have a ceramic or porcelain socket, but make sure the dome is large enough. I have the Exo-Terra 8 1/2" reflector and the bulb still pokes out.

[sull324]

I would not recommend mega-ray for slider until you wont mind using 2 lamps.
Ive been using there new fixed megaray and the heat output is far bellow what an Halogen 100watts would produce.
In my case to obtain 95F of the basking platform i had to put my megaray at 13 inch.2 Days later my turtle were showing sign of burns on eyes and skin. After having an talk with customer service they told me that the lamp would be best at 20 inch for an slider.

I did like said and at 20 inch there was barely enough heat going to the basking platform,so i had to combine with an halogen lamp.

I think they make good lasting product,but this is not an all in one solution.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Hmm, so some mixed reviews here ...

So maybe go with a T Rex brand one to start off with? Hubby says my dome is a 5.5" and like 250v, 660W, so I guess that needs replaced or the bulb will really stick out. I'll keep it around in case I need to supplement with an incandescent, though I'd like to get away from that.

Can anyone provide me a link for the exact item I'm looking for, even if it's to some weird site, I want to know exactly what I need to buy.

Also, the basking area is approximately 30"x30" (when you want to make the final mansion for a turtle, you go big!), so I'm planning on centering the bulb slightly off-center, that way she has the option to go anywhere else for some cool-down resting. About how much of a radius does the bulb produce in terms of good heat, i.e. not exactly 95F but over 80F?

Thanks! It's almost finished, we're excited to get it ready. It's water-tight, filter's clean (needs a new Zorb), need to buy new tubing for it though, and she'll be ready to go!

[steve]

Well, the T-Rex and Mega Ray should be pretty similar, so you might want to try this one... viewtopic.php?f=10&t=25750&start=0

30x30 is huge, but how much heat is generated depends on materials and setup. I never had the 100W Flood, so I won't be able to give you an answer on it.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Material is wood, 16" sides, black paint, with a white eggcrate liner, so I'd imagine the heat will be retained fairly well in the wood, the white eggcrate will pop some of the light back up. I can't wait to show pictures!

[TheComputerGremlin]

So I need like:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... 6513&rel=1

and

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=15466

or is Zoomed not recommended?

What about

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=21330

or is Fluker not recommended either?

I've heard lots of talk about T Rex and MegaRay, but never the other two.

[papoopeepoo]

avoid the Zoo Med PowerSun. I've seen numerous bad, including professional, reviews on those bulbs. I'm not sure about the Sun Spot bulbs.

That dome should work fine for you.

[steve]

The link I posted above has a better deal on a T-REX.

I think the general ranking goes like this:
1) MegaRay
2) T-Rex Active Heat
------
3) Zoo Med PowerSun
4) Exo Terra Solar Glo
------
5) Sun Spot

[TheComputerGremlin]

Last question, since I want to get things from the same place. Is this fixture okay?

http://www.carolinapetsupply.com/catalo ... cts_id=482

It's the only one they have, says "deep dome" which I think means 10" and says it easily accommodates the MVBs. We filled up the tank yesterday, it's holding the 90 gallons well so far!

[Listen97]

I don't mean to threadjack but since the subject of bulbs has been brought up, what is the opinion of
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752641
in combination with
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752558
or
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752555

I've always used a 2 bulb setup myself. They Halogen for the Basking and the Repti Glo for the Daylight. Is the MVB just basically a single bulb method of providing the same thing.

[papoopeepoo]

Is the MVB just basically a single bulb method of providing the same thing.

Basically, yes.

[papoopeepoo]

Last question, since I want to get things from the same place. Is this fixture okay?

http://www.carolinapetsupply.com/catalo ... cts_id=482

It's the only one they have, says "deep dome" which I think means 10" and says it easily accommodates the MVBs. We filled up the tank yesterday, it's holding the 90 gallons well so far!

That dome is perfect, plus it has the recommended white paint interior as opposed to the bare aluminum.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Awesome! I'll get those ordered, she might have to suffer for a few days without a UVB, I can set up her heat bulb at the moment with no problem.