dome reflector

[monny1369]

Hi guys, so anyways I will be getting 2 mercury vapor bulbs that are 160 watts each, and I'm looking for fixtures for them, and I can't seem to find any for bulbs over 150 watts, there are all the 8.5'' reflectors that say: max 150 watts, Do you think it would still work with them, or will I have to pay lots of extra money for a bigger one?

 

[CooperDragon]

You can get bigger fixtures that can handle that easily. Look at farm supply stores for brooder lamps. The ones I use are rated up to 300w and cost less than $10. https://www.theisens.com/products/brooder-lamp-18/2-sjeo-x-6/40820211/

Which MVBs are you picking up? Be sure to keep them at a safe distance. The 160s are pretty powerful and should be at maybe 15-20'' depending on the brand (or set via Solarmeter readings).

 

[monny1369]

thanks for the quick reply, my brand for mvb is luckyherp, they are the only affordable ones in Canada, but for the dome reflectors you get at a hardware store, are you sure they work? Arn't the reflects we buy coated in the interior, made out of a special material or something?

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm not familiar with that brand so I can't say what the appropriate mounting distance is for them. Be careful with some of the cheaper brands of MVB as they can produce erratic patterns and can have quicker degradation than they should. It's best to double check them with a Solarmeter if you can get one. Otherwise I'd go with a PowerSun or MegaRay.

Yes, the fixtures work well. They have a heavy duty cord and a ceramic base. The dome reflector doesn't matter as much since the bulbs have reflectors built into them anyway. There isn't anything special about the reptile specific fixtures when it comes to basking lights. The UVB tube fixtures are a different story.

 

[monny1369]

So, if I get a brooder lamp it will give give all the uvb and heat of a 40 dollar dome reflector for reptiles?

 

[CooperDragon]

The fixture will work just as well as a fixture for reptiles. The bulb you put in it makes the difference regarding UVB and heat output.

 

[monny1369]

do you think you can tell me what self ballasted means? last thing

 

[CooperDragon]

Sure, that means the bulb has a built in ballast to control the light. This is common with modern mercury vapor bulbs and means you can use any fixture that can handle the wattage. There are other bulbs that require a specific fixture with a ballast to control them.

 

[monny1369]

I know im asking a lot, but do you think you could find me one in canada that sells for under $20, you know what to look for, my local hardware stores don't have it

 

[CooperDragon]

With shipping, I'm not sure. Do you have a local tractor supply store? Home Hardware or TSC etc? or perhaps a canadian tire? Which area are you in? You may be able to find a similar work light fixture from a hardware store.

 

[monny1369]

I'm in Quebec, can't I get a naked fixture for normal lightbulbs?

 

[CooperDragon]

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/...Z67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5220515?Ntt=brooder This might work if there is one nearby. Save money on shipping.

A ceramic ceiling fixture would work too if it's rated to handle the bulb wattage. They are commonly used in enclosures with wooden/solid tops because they can screw right into the ceiling.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures