MVB Bulbs

[DragonBeards]

I've been reading up on the controversy surrounding UVB bulbs (and there is a lot of info out there) and have decided that I am going to use the bulbs (due to the unknown cost/benefits for the health of Uro lizards, I decide its best just to ere on the side of caution and use them, in the correct manner, rather than gamble on the use of artificial vitamin D3).

I can't seem to find them online though. I must be typing it in wrong or something, haha. I just looked for "mega ray bulbs" (the brand I have heard works best, and lasts longest) on google shopping but nothing really comes up. I've read that they can be found as low as $40. Can someone point me to where I could purchase these bulbs?

Thanks,

Dragonbeards

 

[DragonBeards]

Also, I have a ceramic domed light fixture. On the part the bulb screws into (sorry, my brain is blanking out on the name), it has printed onto in some random numbers, then "250V 660W", however, in the dome it has a sticker on it that says nothing stronger than a 150W "type A or smaller lamp" should be used, to reduce the risk of fire. I got this with one of my tanks at a garage sale, so I have no clue what type it is, but can anyone tell me what the numbers mean? Can I use it for my Uro tank?

 

[Dog Shrink]

250 volt 660 watt is what it's rated for as it's maxiumum voltage going into it and the maximum wattage bulb going out of it. So for example if you had a 600 watt bulb you could put it in there (but good luck on finding that). No one is running 220 outlets so no worries there, and it means nothing to you unless you're going to europe any time soon with it. Type A is the type of bulb (bulb=lamp) it's the shape. The numbers on the part you put thebulb into is what it can handle, the sticker is kinda junk. Those numbers are what the rating is as far as what it can truly handle. They build in a 20% over run as a safety feature.

*all this info provided by my hubby the electric genius *

As far as what I could find on the "mega-ray" that is apparently a name brand produced by This Mac Industries/Westron Lighting, original design provides the necessary UVB, UVA and heat for your UVB-dependent basking reptiles. From what I've found it is a european company and could be hard to find in the states. It is a metal halied light which in the states is VERY hard to buy on a private consumer level because of the EPA disposal regulations of halied.

Here is a web link that pretty much comes up on all my google searches when I input the company name: http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-european-high-voltage-hv-eb-60-220-volt-zoo.php

 

[DragonBeards]

Dog Skrink, thanks for the link. From it, I also found this:
http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-sb-100-watt-self-ballasted-flood-uvb-lamp.php
which is the same type of bulb, only found based in the US. Along the sidebar, it looks like they have for sale 100 Watt, 100 Watt Low, 160 Watt, 275 Watt, and 160 Watt Zoo. I just need to figure out what kind to use for a Uromastyx, for my type enclosure.

 

[Dog Shrink]

You're welcome but keep in mind that halied is an odd bulb. You touch it, get your skin oils on it and it will shorten it's life. If you have one that has a ballast built in it takes forever for them go get up to temp and going, and disposal is a bear. They do put out fantastic light tho but I honestly think there are better options out there in the long run.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I use a mega-ray 100 watt for my desert horned lizard. The warm end needed 105* areas but the bulb could be no closer that 18" without harming my animal, so a UTH is also used. The bulb does great in a large deep dome fixture which allows it to set on a screen top. According to bulb directions, it is not to be angled at all, so you will need to hang it if you cant set it flat. It is so bright that my little Floyd began to keep his eyes closed after a couple days of use, so the screen top was necessary to difuse it. Something you will want to watch for with your uro. It's a fantastic bulb, well worth the $$ considering how long they last.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Oh, and when you touch it for any reason, use a cloth to avoid direct contact.

 

[SnakeKeeper]

There is a lot of controversey over MVB's because many of the MVB's out there do more harm than good and are just plain dangerous. However, I will vouch for MegaRay's any day of the week. The best artificial UVB source out there.

 

[DragonBeards]

Thanks, thats what I had read other places about the mega-ray bulb. I wasn't, however, aware of the issues with touching it. I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

 

[Dog Shrink]

It is that way with any halied bulb from spot lights to car head lights to reptile bulbs. Something with the oils in our skin shortens the life according to hubby.

 

[M_surinamensis]

due to the unknown cost/benefits for the health of Uro lizards

That statement is confusing me.

Are you saying you have some source that is claiming uromastyx do not need UV?

Can you direct me to it so I can hunt the author down and shake them until they wet themselves while crying?

Uromastyx have it hard enough in captivity as most pet owners have difficulty manipulating the micro-environment to provide a proper range of temperatures and humidities and some issues with balanced diets, the last thing the group needs is someone claiming that UV lamps can be ignored. It's tough getting end consumers aware and set up for what is necessary, without someone out there spreading dangerous misinformation.

 

[DragonBeards]

That statement is confusing me.

Are you saying you have some source that is claiming uromastyx do not need UV?

Can you direct me to it so I can hunt the author down and shake them until they wet themselves while crying?

Actually, I do. This post was one of the first things I read when I was searching for info on UVB: http://www.repticzone.com/forums/Uromastyx/messages/2146869.html
Which sprung from something on another well known breeder's website. But reading through all three pages... I just came to the decision I'm going to use it