Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know which is best? I know everyone has opinions, but I've heard so many things...MVB is better, but doesn't last long...florescent bulbs are all the same, and they loosing their properties after three months of use. Are these things true...don't want to go with product unless good experiences from users behind it.

Flourescent bulb= NO UVB
MVB-testing at 12"
MV capture the sun 100 watt flood-brand new-13 microwatts per cm sq.
MV T-Rex Active UVHEAT 100 watt flood-brand new-16 microwatts per cm sq.
Powersun 160 watt flood-brand new-47 microwatts per cm sq.

UVB flourescent-testing at 12"
Reptisun 5.0-brand new (highest test result)-12microwatts per cm sq.
Exoterra 8.0-brand new-24 microwatts per cm sq.

as you can see the result varies. all that info was got at beutifuldragons.com
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I am without notes as my primary computer is in the shop but here are a few things that I do remember:

Out of the standard uvb bulbs I have tested, ESU's Desert Sun 7% tested highest in uvb.

Compact bulbs: Arcadia tested much higher than ESU's Super Coil.

If using a uvb source other than mv, try to get it as close as possible to the reptile.

Ordering supplies from an online supply house will usually save you money when compared to purchasing from a local pet store.

weird. beautifuldragons.com had a ESU lamp that had bad results.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I can only tell you what my results were. I had three of these bulbs that were approx 3 months old when tested and all tested higher than newer bulbs of other brands. I also remember that the readings were pretty similar between all three bulbs which I found surprising.

All of my bulbs were/are in slimline fixtures. If you do not remove the plastic covering the bulb on this fixture, your results will be zero.

For the heck of it, I just did a couple more test to see what they are reading now. Keep in mind that this bulb is now close to 6 months old.

Beautiful Dragon lists the following results (uWcm2) for ESU Desert 7%:
3" 20
6" 10
12" 0

My current results for my almost six month old Desert Sun 7%bulb:
3" 126-128
6" 60-61
12" 30

Readings will differ on a standard bulb depending on where you take your readings. The readings that I just gave are from the center (strongest) part of the bulb.

I have a feeling the person that offered this information may have been using a slimline fixture with plastic covering the bulb. If not, I have no idea why their readings would differ so much from what I am seeing. Bad bulb maybe?

A recent discussion on the UVB meter owners group on yahoo brought up variations in readings from the same fluorescent bulb (not same brand, same actual bulb) in different fixtures. It definitely makes a difference - less expensive fixtures or older ones might not allow the bulb to work as well as it can.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Uromastyx Maliensis (Tank and Turtle)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras (Frank and Jesse)
0.0.2 Dwarf Sucking Oto (Tootsie and Dum-Dum)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

very interesting....