Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If you use the all in one powersun uvb bulbs does tis provide enough uvb or do you also need the reptisun 5.0 type buld to go along with it. Please no responses saying you don't need uvb at all if you supplement. I am using uvb.

I'm glad you decided to use uvb it's very beneficial for them, and may affect them positively in ways we are not even aware of yet. Powersuns give more uvb them repti sun 5.0 and also throw the uvb farther away from the bulb. You will not need another uvb producing light if you use a Powersun MVB over the basking spot, but the added light intensity is very good for them. I use 100 watt powersuns over the basking spot for uva/uvb and use a regular $3 fluorescent light the length of the cage for the added light intensity.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

We have used the Powersuns from Zoo Med and the Active UV from T-Rex. Along with several different brands of florescent UVB bulbs. We used a radiometer to measure the UVB output over a period of a few months. The Powersun and the Active UV were both a dissapointment. The seemed to burn out very quick. It says that they can put UVB out up to 6', but it was more like 2'. They also stopped putting out UVB completely after about 3 months. It could have been bad bulbs, but we tried it for quite a while. The Reptisun 5.0 or the Desert 7% work the best for us. They only put out about 12" -18" from the bulb, but they last for 6-8 months. Sometimes longer. It is also nice to turn off your heat light without turning of the UVB. I prefer the florescents.

Tony Alles
www.reptileguru.com

Yeah might have been the bulbs you had. I had a buddy come over last week with a solormeter Brand uvb meter and I was surprised that my 5 month 160 watt powersuns mvb was still reading between 28-39 uW/cm2 at 12 inches away. My 100 watts where pretty much brand new so they were giving off about the same. Plus with the warranty $37.99 is not that expensive for a bulb with a year long guarantee. If you use the fluorescent like reptisun you got to change them every six months at $17 to maybe get 15uW/cm2 brand new 5 inches from the bulbs. My dragon is not sitting on the bulb he's within 15 inches of the Mvb so that extra distance really makes a huge difference in my set ups, and I doubt anyone is going to use them 6 feet away from the basking spot. At 15 inches away there really is no comparision between MVB and fluorescents. It's almost double. Even if the mvb bulb dies somewhat after 6 months give it a good bang LOL and send it in for a new one. Just my opinion.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

It is a pro rated warranty. You do not just send it in and get a new bulb. You have to send it directly to Zoo Med and depending on how long you have had it you pay a percentage of there suggested retail price, which is not close to $37. You are responsible to pay the shipping on the light to and from Zoo Med. I just don't think they are worth all the hassles. Take your UVB reader outside and test it on the sun. The powersun will read stronger than the sun will. That also kind of scares me.

If your meter is reading stronger UVB from a bulb then the sun then something is wrong. Go read this site. Measured by the US government.

www.myiguana.com/antohowmucuv.html

so florida rapid rises above 50 uw/cm/cm after sun up, peaks at over 300 uw/cm/cm, and declines at sundown. If you have a bulb that puts that out you are a lucky guy. bulbs put out no where near the same amount of uvb as the sun.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

I don't know. I've been dealing with Zoomed for almost two years and I never had to pay any prorated fee for a replacement. If the bulb blew in 6 months since the date on my receipt they guaranteed the new bulb for the remaining 6 months. Other Mercury Vapor bulb warrantees may work different like you say, but Zoomed never charged me for a replacement. They actually have been very fair, and the easiest of the companies to work with in these instances. I do get the bulbs for $33.95 at reptile direct to me they are worth the money to provide the higher uvb for the dragons. Not looking to argue at all cause I have in the past used plenty of Repti-suns 5.0's with good results just in some cages the Powersun is needed if you want to provide beneficial UVB from where the bulbs sit to where the dragons bask. As far as the outside giving you lower numbers then the bulbs, I think that's where you might have had trouble testing your MVB bulbs. Last week was the first time I had a chance to use a meter so I went around testing everything LOL. In New Jersey even at 2 PM in November the readings were higher then any bulbs I know off. Main thing is really that UVB either from Powersuns MVB/ or a fluorescent uvb producing bulb is being provided at the proper distances for them to be effective, and proper supplementation is being provided to the dragons.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

>>I don't know. I've been dealing with Zoomed for almost two years and I never had to pay any prorated fee for a replacement. If the bulb blew in 6 months since the date on my receipt they guaranteed the new bulb for the remaining 6 months. Other Mercury Vapor bulb warrantees may work different like you say, but Zoomed never charged me for a replacement. They actually have been very fair, and the easiest of the companies to work with in these instances. I do get the bulbs for $33.95 at reptile direct to me they are worth the money to provide the higher uvb for the dragons. Not looking to argue at all cause I have in the past used plenty of Repti-suns 5.0's with good results just in some cages the Powersun is needed if you want to provide beneficial UVB from where the bulbs sit to where the dragons bask. As far as the outside giving you lower numbers then the bulbs, I think that's where you might have had trouble testing your MVB bulbs. Last week was the first time I had a chance to use a meter so I went around testing everything LOL. In New Jersey even at 2 PM in November the readings were higher then any bulbs I know off. Main thing is really that UVB either from Powersuns MVB/ or a fluorescent uvb producing bulb is being provided at the proper distances for them to be effective, and proper supplementation is being provided to the dragons.
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>>Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
>>Mystical-Dragons Website
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Rob

The Complete Instructions & Saftety Warnings that comes with each bulbs says "The 160-watt PowerSun UV is designed for large terrarium enclosures and veterinary use. The 100-watt is more appropriate for medium size terrariums. All animals should be able to get a minimum of 12" away from the lamp as well as have a cooler area away from the lamp (minimum 24"" So they say 12 inches should be the closest they should get to the bulb.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

NP
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

>>The Complete Instructions & Saftety Warnings that comes with each bulbs says "The 160-watt PowerSun UV is designed for large terrarium enclosures and veterinary use. The 100-watt is more appropriate for medium size terrariums. All animals should be able to get a minimum of 12" away from the lamp as well as have a cooler area away from the lamp (minimum 24"" So they say 12 inches should be the closest they should get to the bulb.
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>>Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
>>Mystical-Dragons Website

ability to get 12" away? Basically, I couldn't get my basking spot hot enough with the 160w so it's about 9" from my beardie. I have it set up where she can go under a paper towel to be sheilded from the UVB but still get the heat which she sometimes does. Do you think think it's dangerous?

I didn't necessarily go by what the directions say because they indicate it's for zoo's and large terrarium enclosures. If I remember right the readings of UVB a lot of people have gotten diminish greatly at 18" or more. I picture a zoo enclosure being a lot bigger than 18" to the bulb.

I'm really tired so if I'm not making any sense just tell me to shut up and take a nap and I'll talk about this tomorrow !!
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Rob

Actually from when these type of bulbs first came out the instructions & safety warnings have changed so much. Like reptiguru said it use to say the uvb reaches as far as 6 feet away. Not sure if they changed the bulbs design at all but that no longer is stated, and I remember the minimum being 18" inches away as well. In my opinion your set up is fine. These bulbs come nowhere near the uvb they would be getting in Australia even if they just basked in the sun for the first 3-5 hours of the morning they would be receiving more UVB then a bulb can give in 12 hours of exposure. I would definitely make sure the dragon has a shaded spot where it can get out from the light totally. In the wild when they receive the light and heat they need they move out of the light and into the shade. If you provide them with a shaded spot they will do the same thing. I simply angle a cardboard piece against the far wall from the light to provide a fully shaded spot and to even offer a greater gradient of cooler temps (not pretty but only I see it anyway). They do go under the bulb, and retreat away as needed during the day. I'm also pretty sure they only give off a certain diameter of uvb if the bulb is on one side of the cage the far side will not be receiving UVB rays.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

To be honest with you as much as I feel it would not harm the dragon if you provide a retreat away from the bulb, I know I would not take someones opinion on a safty issue that might harm my dragon. I personally would feel horrible if it was infact not safe and hurting your dragon, and i gave you an opinion that you accepted as fact. Best bet is to contact the makers here is the email address. zoomed@zoomed.com
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

>>To be honest with you as much as I feel it would not harm the dragon if you provide a retreat away from the bulb, I know I would not take someones opinion on a safty issue that might harm my dragon. I personally would feel horrible if it was infact not safe and hurting your dragon, and i gave you an opinion that you accepted as fact. Best bet is to contact the makers here is the email address. zoomed@zoomed.com
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>>Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
>>Mystical-Dragons Website

you know what the response is.

With the lack of long term, factual research on these bulbs I feel you have done the best anyone can do to answer my questions. Thanks again!!
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Rob

>>>>To be honest with you as much as I feel it would not harm the dragon if you provide a retreat away from the bulb, I know I would not take someones opinion on a safty issue that might harm my dragon. I personally would feel horrible if it was infact not safe and hurting your dragon, and i gave you an opinion that you accepted as fact. Best bet is to contact the makers here is the email address. zoomed@zoomed.com
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>>>>Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
>>>>Mystical-Dragons Website
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>>you know what the response is.
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>>With the lack of long term, factual research on these bulbs I feel you have done the best anyone can do to answer my questions. Thanks again!!
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>>Rob

be closer than 12" to the bulb. Also, I rechecked the distance to my beardie and it was 10.5". In my opinion, again, only my opinion here, I'm going to keep it the way I have it and see if there are any hints of any problems. Considering the UVB output is still less than the sun's at that distance I have no reason to think I need to increase it.

If I do notice any problems I will make sure to share it with the forum.
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Rob

I have to say, I have had the same problem w/my 160watt PowerSun. It just was not getting the basking spot warm enough. I would say the bulb is about 10-11" away from the top of the basking area. My Dino climbs up and down all day. If I move the light up, the temp drops dramatically. My beardie seems to like it this way. His colors have really come out since using this bulb, and he seems a much happier dragon. Let me know if there are any problems w/this. Thanks. Krista