(another) Lighting question

[foolsgold]

So I've been reading through all the stickies at the top of the forum here and I was wanting to know if all the issues that popped up back in '09-'10 are still a problem or have they been fixed? Are MVB's safe to use again and if so what brand is the best?
I have a 75gal tank (48x18x21) and I was thinking of getting an arcadia and a basking light. If I went w/ the Arcadia should I get the 22" or 34"? With a tank height of 21" I wouldn't need to raise the basking spot more then 4-6" off the bottom of the tank correct?

 

[foolsgold]

*bump*

 

[foolsgold]

*chirp chirp* I'm hearing crickets and I don't feed them. :shock: :shock:
Any information on the MVB's? I assume that they have been fixed since I see them being recommended but the stickies are still up warning against them so I was wanting to be sure. Any opinion on the basking spot w/ the arcadia?

 

[Majora]

I don't know about safety, but I know I was going to get a Zoo Med Powersun MVB until I saw this thread on another forum -

http://www.herpcenter.com/habitat-lighting/42625-zoo-med-powersun-mvb.html

basically several different people have been testing the UVB output of their Powersuns and they're much, much lower than previously thought. I know I personally was under the impression that MVBs put out a lot of UVB... but it seems like the Powersun - one of the most recommended MVBs - is barely effective at all. You're probably better off going with an Arcadia and a basking spot. As far as the distance I'm not sure, different UVB bulbs have different recommended basking distances listed. I use a Reptisun, but I think certain Arcadias are stronger than the Reptisun so they're supposed to be placed farther away. But you'll have to wait for an expert to chime in on that. Lol

 

[foolsgold]

Thank you for taut link. All the stickies here in this forum are from a few years ago so that's why I was questioning if the bulbs had been improvedby now or not. It seems as though the answer is not.
The arcadia recommends 14-24" away from the basking spot so that's why I figured a raised spot of only 4-6" would be needed.

 

[scm133]

So I've been reading through all the stickies at the top of the forum here and I was wanting to know if all the issues that popped up back in '09-'10 are still a problem or have they been fixed? Are MVB's safe to use again and if so what brand is the best?
I have a 75gal tank (48x18x21) and I was thinking of getting an arcadia and a basking light. If I went w/ the Arcadia should I get the 22" or 34"? With a tank height of 21" I wouldn't need to raise the basking spot more then 4-6" off the bottom of the tank correct?

I am no expert, but I am presently using an Arcadia T-5 D3 12% with reflector in my 4x2x2 viv. There are different strengths of Arcadia lamps. My basking spot is only 5 inches high. Which gives me a distance from the light at 17". I am getting good results, and good readings from my Solarmeter 6.2. If your viv is 48" long, I would go with a 34" UVB lamp.