Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thinking of converting over to MVB's. What results should I be hoping, looking for? What's the best products out there? What's the difference between the ballasts, etc. Do you like your's?
Thanks

what's an MVB and is it important?

>>what's an MVB and is it important?

triad-
An MVB is a mercury vapor bulb. Your uro must have exposure to UVB light and an MVB is one of the options (best option, of course is natural sunlight).

Mastino177-
I use them on my two cages since they are too high for fluorescent fixtures to be effective (18". I also have a UVB meter to monitor when the bulbs are safe to use at the beginning and effective toward the end of their life. I currently use T-Rex Active heat SPOT bulbs, as the floods don't produce any more UVB than a fluorescent after burn in at those distances. This is an internally ballasted bulb, which is prone to early failure, but the high UVB is worth it for me. There is a fabulous Westron externally ballasted bulb with excellent UVB and lower failure rates (mentioned in an earlier thread). They are expensive to get started on, but are probably VERY worth it.

If you don't have a meter, and can get fluorescents close enough (6"-12", you're better off with a pair of Reptisun 5.0s.

If you really would like to know more, join the yahoo group UVB meter owners. You don't have to own one to join and the benefits to you and your reptiles are enormous!!
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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)
0.0.1 Apple Snail
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

Ok. I've never heard of that term before. All I use (right now) is 150 watt Heat bulbs *zoo med* during the day, and when I get my paycheck I'm going out to buy some Black light (incandescent) heat bulbs.

>>Ok. I've never heard of that term before. All I use (right now) is 150 watt Heat bulbs *zoo med* during the day, and when I get my paycheck I'm going out to buy some Black light (incandescent) heat bulbs.

Black lights are not the same as UVB bulbs. If you can get your uro outside in the sun several hours a week (if the outside temps are at least 80F), that will work. UVB bulbs are expensive, but absolutely necessary to the health and life of the lizard. There's some good talk about the new ZooMed 10.0 compact fluorescents - I haven't seen them, but they're supposed to be good. They would work in a regular clamp light without having to buy fluorescent fixtures.
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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)
0.0.1 Apple Snail
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)