help I want to upgrade, don't know how

[verena]

Hi I just got a used 40 gallon breader tank for my beardie, now when I thought I had done all my research about lighting, I just found out that for this tank size i could use MVB lights (took e awhile to figure what that meant ). So this is my question:
I was going to purchase a reptisun 10 36"/30watts because that is the numbering on the original bulb that came with the hood. But now I wonder if I should be one of Those MVB bulbs...Do I have to buy a new hood for these bulbs or can i use the hood that came with the tank? I am not really good at electrical stuff...so please help..I am willing to get the best for my beardie, but I do not want to get things that I might not need, or might not go together....I got her the tank this morning and I am dying to see her reaction when she goes in it.
Thanks for all the support. It is greatly appreciated. Verena

 

[Doonagoowin]

An MVB is not a long tube like the ReptiSun.
It's like an oversized household bulb, so you'll need a Deep Dome fixture to hold the MVB.

Something like this:

http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-light-fixtures/513264/zoo-med-repti-deep-dome-lamp-fixture.html

 

[Embee]

Hi Verena!

I just posted to your question in feeders, and I will try to answer your questions here as well. We recently upgraded to a 40 gallon breeder, as well. :mrgreen: Our beardie LOVES her new home, adjusted quickly and happily. Incidentally, I had to make the same decision myself just a few weeks ago.

We were using a ReptiSun tube in our starter tank, but with the big tank we went ahead and opted to use a MVB/100w TRex. Our beardie is really liking it, as she stands in worship of it most of the day. :wink: The MVBs do not require a hood, but rather a dome, a "deep dome" to be exact: http://www.petmountain.com/product/...264/zoo-med-repti-deep-dome-lamp-fixture.html We set it right atop the screen in the basking end of the tank. That, along with a 45w household flood on the cool side of the tank, is keeping our temps just right (105-110 basking side, 85-90 ambient, 78-80 cool side). We will likely be able to put the supplemental flood light away once spring hits.

That said, a ReptiSun 10.0, best price here: http://www.petmountain.com/product/...bs/504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-bulb.html is the best tube type UVB you can find, and can also do very nicely in a 40 gallon tank, along with a basking bulb for heat and bright light. You can get a specific reptile basking bulb, or use a typical household bulb for this.

Reasons for using the MVB, are two fold. First, it's a combination of heat and light, and for many, this means one bulb, period. Streamlined, nice. Also, the UVB emissions in the best quality MVBs such as MegaRay and TRex, are very high, and are especially wonderful for beardies growth and overall health (our beardie is more energetic and eating more than ever since moving her under the MVB). The MVBs are more expensive than the tubes, however only need to be replaced once per year, as opposed to twice, as is with the tubes. The most recommended MVB around here is the MegaRay, and the TRex is a close second. The PowerSun and Solar Glo are distant thirds, but also good bulbs.

Here is a thread I responded to last night of someone who is making the same decision as yourself, currently. In my post, I link a couple of further threads that may be helpful to you in making your decision:

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=100972&hilit=

The best, in whatever you decide.

Em

 

[verena]

Thank you sooo much for your detailed explanation...this forum is great!. I have one more question: the 40 gallon tank came with a really nice hood that has a flourescent bulb and three bulb sockets I guess for heat and light and maybe nighttime?
Can I take off the flourescent bulb and put an MVB bulb in one of the sockets and a regular bulb on the other end, or do I need a separate dome for the mvb?

 

[LJean]

An MVB is not a long tube like the ReptiSun.
It's like an oversized household bulb, so you'll need a Deep Dome fixture to hold the MVB.

Something like this:

http://www.petmountain.com/product/rept ... xture.html

MVB's get very hot and need a fixture with a ceramic socket that also holds a high wattage bulb. I don't think it would work in the hood you have. It could be a fire hazard.

 

[Laura123]

Hello Verena,

I am a newbie to the world of beardie's... but after many questions here and much research I bought a MVB for my 40g breeder tank. I orginally got the powersun 100w MVB, but decided that I wanted the best for my baby (who has MBD), so I purchased a Megaray MVB 100w. It has made a huge difference in my beardies behavior and eating habbits. He was having seizures, but since that light they have stopped. It also produces more heat than the powersun. I have that and a 100w housebulb to maintain my basking temp and cool side temps.

Good luck and hope that helps.

Laura

 

[verena]

Thanks for the info, I really want to get what is best for my bd. I tried to look for the megaray or the trex online, but I only found one place that sells the megaray and they are out of stock. Can anyone recommend another website where I can get these bulbs?

 

[LJean]

There aren't many places that sell the megaray mvb. Online at the site of the creator of the bulb is your best bet. If they are out, you may have to wait for it.

 

[verena]

I found the megaray bulb 100W at reptileuv.com. I just want to clarify the lights that i will need for the 40g breeder tank. Will I use the mvb bulb for the basking uvb and uva rays? do I need any other bulbs? What about a night bulb? do I need that too?

 

[Embee]

Hi Verena,

It sounds like your tank is really nice, with that hood set up. That said, I can understand wanting to do the best for you beardie. Will you have to make some pretty big changes to the lid, or can you manage the MVB without too much trouble?

I found the megaray bulb 100W at reptileuv.com. I just want to clarify the lights that i will need for the 40g breeder tank. Will I use the mvb bulb for the basking uvb and uva rays? do I need any other bulbs? What about a night bulb? do I need that too?

Indeed, reptileuv.com is where most here get their MegaRays. They're the best, most recommended around here. I got my TRex at PetMountain.com, and it's very good also. I swear I can see our beardie growing as she sits under it. Sounds crazy, I know. :wink:

Ok, so the MVB offers your beardie all it needs in terms of UVA and UVB, most likely heat. The MegaRays throw out intense heat, and for a 40 gallon, this may be the only bulb you need to achieve the proper gradient temps, and light. Voila! That said, our tank is in a room where it's not particularly warm (about 68-69 during the day in wintertime), so we use a supplemental bulb (45w household flood), on the cool side, which keeps our cool side at right about 78-80 degrees. We'll be able to put that bulb away once spring and summer hit however, as the room tends to stay fairly warm in warmer weather, and I imagine we might even need to raise the MVB during this time (via a lamp stand), to keep temps from running too hot.

Night bulbs are not recommended for beardies. They CAN actually see the light of say, "infra-reds" and this can disrupt their sleep. The prefer total darkness in the tank at night. If the room in which you house your beardie does not go below 65 degrees at night, you won't need any nighttime heat. However, if the room gets a little cooler or you want something just in case, you can opt for a ceramic heat emitter (CHE). We use a 75w CHE for ours as the room she's in does often go below 65 during thing night.

The best,
Em