Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was looking for another bulb for my lizards (I use a coil UVA/UVB bulb and a basking bulb and a nightlamp-for the winter) and I noticed some new combination heat UVA/UVB bulbs. The Active UV Heat is by T-Rex and the PowerSun UV Professional bulb by Zoo Med - they both claim to be a combination bulb (so you have a heat bulb with UVA/UVB) and they claim to be the closest light to the sun (in fact, it warns you not to look at it directly). I was wondering if anyone has used these bulbs. They run from $45-60 so they quite a bit more than I have paid for my other bulbs put togehter. They are supposed last for one year and if they break in that time the companies will replace it. Thanks for your help!

I have used both, though only the older style of T-Rex. The Powersun was less than reliable both in life and in UVB output (I have a UVB meter). The T-Rex was better. The new version of the T-Rex is actually the same bulb as the Mega Ray.

I would recommend going straight to the source and purchasing a self-ballasted Mega Ray from reptileuv.com. They will send you a bulb with an output appropriate for your enclosure setup, basking distance, and species. The bulbs are as reliable as such things get, and they put out excellent UVB with little decay.

You can find independent test results for these and other bulbs here:
UVGuide.co.uk

Keep in mind, though, that you may still need an additional heat source depending on your enclosure.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

We've used the T-Rex bulbs & discontinued them. Maybe it's just our wiring connections ( DOUBT IT!! ) but they constantly turn on & off when the AC kicks in. Drives us & the Uros nuts.
Have to say, though, the Uros love them when they work.