Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been using a 100 watt Zoo Med Powersun for my nearly 1 year old dragon. She started developing an eye problem, which I realized was due to her proximity to the bulb--she was too close. I find that with the MVB's, the animal often wants to get close to the heat for obvious reasons and thus getting too close to the UVB output. Make sense? I hear to keep the bulb approximately 12-18" from the animal, but this seems to defeat the purpose of having a heat/UVB bulb in one as much/most of the heat dissipates into the air. Plus, I do not feel comfortable safety-wise about hanging a 100 watt bulb over her cage.

My local reptile shop started looking into it and said they discovered the type of UVB produced by the Powersun was also the reason she was closing her eyes. So, they are going with an Exo Terra Solar Glo that supposed to be the end-all and have taken Powersun's off of their shelves. Not sure if I buy into this. I think it's proximity.

I've been thinking about the Repti-Glo 10.0 and using a dedicated heat bulb next to it. I have her in a 60-gallon terrarium with a mesh top. All heat/UVB sources sit on top of this. She is approximately 14". Any suggestions or comments? Thanks all! --Joe

I have used solar glow for two years and love them. Only one i would use.
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www.moonstonedragons.com

What you describe is a problem with using an MVB as a single solution. I have MVB bulbs but have the same problems they push UVB farther but not heat. There is also no adjustability(dimming) to them. The other thing I don't like is that the animal gets UVB only when it's right under the bulb.

My new Iguana enclosure will use (2) MVB bulbs for UVB but has a panel heated to ensure proper ambients. My dragon enclosures use Zoo Med 10.0 fluorescent tubes for UVB and then flood bulbs for basking spots. The tubes also give more light throughout the enclosure than just an area around the MVB.

Thanks BDLvr...I was leaning towards going in the Reptisun 10.0 direction. I'm not all that concerned about the shorter life span of the bulb vs. MVB. I just want my dragon to stay healthy and vibrant. That keeps me healthy and happy as well!!! I'll throw a 24" or 36" Reptisun and put one of the million heat bulbs u have lying around. Thanks again for the info.

I meant "I have lying around", not "u". Ha! Freudian I guess.

I don't know if it is anything inherent in the PowerSun bulb. I have used PowerSun for a couple of years and have been very pleased.

I recently tried a couple on some beardies and had mixed results. One was just too much heat at 100 watts so I removed it. I am currently using it in a larger enclosure with a beardie and it is fine. I tried it with another beardie and she started to close her eyes. The distance seemed OK, but she had been cage dancing and it put her at a closer proximity to the bulb. I removed the bulb and she's fine.

I use a PowerSun on my ig when he is indoors at a distance of 18" and he has never had any issues with the bulb. I also use them in two tegu enclosures at a distance of about 18" and they have not had any incidents either.

I wanted to add that I think 12" is too close for some animals.

Yea, your experience sounds fairly similar to mine in some respects. When she wants heat and goes within a few inches of that bulb, the problems arise. I do not think it is a flaw with the Powersun bulb itself as mentioned by my local reptile shop.

Use a PAR38 - 45W or 50W halogen flood light for the heat source and move your basking surface closer to the bulb for a 120-130 degree surface temp. You will use half the watts your currently drawing from the 100W powersun. Also, if you feel the need to supply UVB a linear tube can be used which are somewhere around 15-20 watts. You'll save a little $$ on the eletrical bill making the switch and the cost of replacement bulbs is much cheaper than an MVB energy cannon.

Good idea Kmartin. I am definitely using a UVB bulb, but if I need a heat bulb, I imagine Home Depot, etc. has something for $8 that'll be great. Right now, I have a few lying from the house from other animals.

Props to Pro Exotics and some others, I can't take any credit on the suggestion

PAR38 and even PAR30 floods are great basking bulbs for reptiles. They are built like tanks, last a long time and produce a wide light/heat source. Look for long-life or extra long-life 50 watters.

Is the halogen bulb you mentioned a household type bulb or pet store type bulb?

The Par # is the size and shape of the bulb. I use Par 20 bulbs that are available in 35 and 50 watt and both flood and spot. I get mine online from 1000bulbs.com

Hi Laura,

PAR38 floodlights are commonly used for outdoor lighting. You can buy them at pretty much any dept or hardware store, or online as mentioned. Look for long-life or extra long-life 50 watters. They are built like tanks compared to the reptile-marketed bulbs and produce a high-quality lighting/heating source. Low-wattage bulbs and raised basking sites are the way to go!

PS...the best brand I have come across are Lightronics extra-long life halogen floods. Pro Exotics sells them in their online store.

Kevin

Thank you guys, I'll check into those halogens.

MVB are alright but they do need to be at 'least' 18" above the basking spot. Any closer and they can be harmful to your dragon (UVB bulbs produce the same sort of UV Index you hear about on the radio which warns people to limit exposure out in the sun when the UV index is high. This high UV index can cause damage to skin and eyes. Note that this isn't quite the same as the UVB output of a bulb).

MVB also push UVB rays much further than florescent tubes (most of the tubes need to be within 8-12" of the basking spot with the 10.0's reaching as far as 15 or 18" (they can push further but as the bulb ages, the range reduces..so I rather work with the average over the typical bulb life of 6-9months (of UVB production, not light. Light can last years but the UVB will be gone or so insignificant it may as well be not there).

For more information about UVB, UVB bulbs and how they work and push UVB rays throughout a cage, as well as tons of other information, see the site below:

www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm
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PHLdyPayne

I love my MVBs
I hang my 125watter about 22" over the basking spot.
I find this provides enough heat at the basking spot, leaving a decent gradient.
However, I have a 60watt ceramic heater next to the MVB, this is hooked to a thermostat, keeping the cage warm and proper.
my cool end is 80-82 generally.
with a bask of about 110