Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 7 month old male veiled. I bought him a new 100 watt powersun mercury vapor bulb about a month ago. It was a piece of crap and quit working after only a month and, of course, I didn't fill out the warranty paperwork so I'm out of luck. I replace it with a 100 watt Mega-Ray bulb. Today I received an email from the pet-store I purchased it from stating that the Mega-ray puts out too much UVB light and can be harmful to chameleons. It has been found to produce bulging eyes, conjunctivitis and anorexia (loss of desire to eat). Does anyone know if this is true? When my cham is basking he's about 10-12 inches under the bulb and the temp is just under 90 degrees. Anyone have experience with a mega-ray bulb causing these problems?

I have heard pretty much the exact same thing. I got some recently, and 2 burned out on day 3. Then just a week or so ago I also was informed that they put out too much UVB for chameleons and to stop using them. I'm gonna hang on to them for the tortioses and desert lizards but skip them out on the chameleons. I love the white light they put out, and the chameleons seem to like it. I haven't been using them long enough for any good or bad to come from it though. I'm switching them out tonight or tomorrow (once they cool down, ouch).
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

I had heard about these on the beardie forum and know that Veronica at Beautiful Dragons has done an extensive UVB project and includes this bulb along with several others. She also frequents that forum and is great at responding to email. I linked below.

I stopped using the 160w power sun with Luna (only used it when she is gravid) as I thought it was just too much even though I had it a good distance away. I am using it on my bd, however. The only reason I even HAVE a 160w is b/c ZooMed replaced the 100w twice in the year and offered an upgrade. I will say that the 160 has given me no problems (the 100watt sucked!) but it is some strong heat! Luna's eyebulging (a while back) may have been due to this.

Interesting that the store emailed you about the MegaRay!

UVB Project

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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

I suggest reading the scientific studies and comparison studies done at this website if you haven't already: (Link at bottom)

The MV bulbs that are self ballasted will only last 6 months on average, the external ballasted bulbs will last longer and are reliable because of different filaments used. Westron lighting is the only company I've seen that makes reliable externally ballasted mv bulbs. Regarding the amount of uvb that these bulbs emit, in the article it states that "Dr. Gehrmann and associates, of spiny tailed iguanas, showed that MV SPOT lamps brought the hydroxyl (OH25) levels in the blood equal to those found in the wild." Read more about his study on the website...it is very interesting. They do emit 3 times more uvb than the tube style bulbs but if its placed 6-12 inches from the herp it should not be on a dangerous level....also get a uv meter if you're concerned. Hope this helps!
Reptile UV info

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Experience and appreciate nature's creation.

www.zenexotics.com

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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

I used a 100 watt "UV Heat" bulb in a large enclosure with a veiled chameleon. He would often bask about 12" under it and he developed a "sunken" eye orbit (right side only)and anorexia. I took him to the exotic animal practice at the Vet. School (university) and they did an opthalmologic exam but could not determine the cause of his eye closure (we tried all kind of techniques, including many hydration methods). After a year of force feeding, I decided to put him down as I couldn't bear to put him through the agony of force feeding anymore (he hated it). I think these high UVB mercury ballasted bulbs can have significant adverse effects.

if any of you haven't been to the www.ReptileUV.com site recently you should visit. they now offer bulbs specifically spec'd for chameleons-if you ask.
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago