Mega Ray and Crossfire

[SDBeardieFan]

Hello!

I'm planning on building a Crossfire enclosure for my beardie and I was wondering if I could use a megaray 100 watt MVB using the template found on http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/

If not, would it be better to use a reptisun 10.0 and a normal household incandescent light bulb or a halogen bulb?

Thanks for your help!

 

[beardieaddict]

sure u can use a mega ray i dont see why not. soon ill be putting megaray's in my condo's

 

[citrusdragon]

Depending on the height of the cage...

4 x 2 x 2 I recommend a 100 watt Megaray and a normal fluorescent bulb.

4 x 2 x 1.5 I recommend a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent and an incandescent bulb for heat.

The reason for the difference is that I love the MegaRays but they are just too hot for a cage 18" floor to ceiling. With a 24" height there is adequate penetration of UVB and just enough cubic feet of space that over heating is less a problem. More vents can help this too.

In the 18" high cage you can adjust temps buy changing the wattage of the incandescent bulb giving you seasonal adaptability.

Jeff

 

[SDBeardieFan]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm doing the 4x2x2, and yeah I was mostly worried about the heat since I know those get pretty hot. Do I need to get a specific fixture for the megaray? I have it currently in a deep dome but that wouldn't really work with a crossfire, would it be ok to put it in a regular fixture or is there a specific type?

Thanks.

 

[citrusdragon]

I would use a ceramic incandescent fixture (normal type), some use the ones that adjust angles like an out door spotlight, and just be sure to put plenty of vents, you can always cover one or 2 in the winter if necessary.

Jeff

 

[glitch_in_the_system]

Another issue to watch out for is that the mega ray will get real hot in that size of an enclosure. I would use a 36" florescent strip with a full spectrum bulb (non-UVB) for the additional lighting (you can get these pretty inexpensively at Home Depot). You are going to want plenty of ventilation so the heat doesn't get out of hand. Unlike tanks where most of the heat escapes, a solid enclosure like the crossfire contains most of the heat so it will require a lot less wattage to heat the tank. You can always seal vents closed during colder months with a small piece of plastic or cardboard placed between to the vent covers to heat it up if needed.

That being said, after reading through a bunch of articles on reptileuvinfo.com and using MegaRay SB's myself over the last few years, I would highly recommend using a Mega Ray MVB. They are a lot more beneficial for your dragon than any other lighting product available. I saw the difference in my dragon. When I switched to the Megaray and when I switched away from it. Even the reptisun 10.0 that everyone on her raves about cannot compare to it. The UV output of a Reptisun is sufficient for maintaining a dragon but not optimal.

 

[SDBeardieFan]

Oh yes I love my Mega Ray, I think I'll do the additional vents, or even a few large horizontal vents in order to allow it in. Thanks for the advice! I'm thinking of starting construction after christmas

 

[Twobeardieguy]

We are going to need some pictures after its done! :wink:

 

[shiver905]

Megarays dont burn very hot. My 75 watt bulb burns hotter then the megaray.
I got one in my 4x2x2 .

Its not hot enough

 

[GoFast]

Megarays dont burn very hot. My 75 watt bulb burns hotter then the megaray.
I got one in my 4x2x2 .

Its not hot enough

I have also noticed this since putting my megaray in 2 days ago. At 12" the hottest I am getting is 91. I threw a 40w regular bulb next to it to see if that heats things up.

 

[andrewlloyd]

What do you guys think would be the appropriate sized enclosure for using a Megaray?
Would it be better with a screen top? or and enclosed viv like the crossfire?

I had just changed my whole lighting system around, because keeping the right temps with an Aussie Sun (Similar to the Megaray, but in Australia) was way too hard.
You cant put them on any type of thermo. which makes it even harder to control the temps.

Ive always wanted to try a Megaray, but i cant seem to get ahold of one in Australia, and now that i have changed over my lighting, (which cost me around 150$) i dont think ill be looking for a Megaray until i get my second beardie, which hopefully will be in about 6 months or so.

 

[mishelly58]

I build my crossfire enclosure last year 4x2x2 and I'm using a 100wt Megaray. As you can see from the picture below i cut a circular hole in the top of my enclosure and the Megaray sits on brackets this way i can regulate the temp. If it is too hot in the summer i can raise the bulb and lower it in the winter if needed.

In this picture the enclosure is not finished and upside down:

here is a picture finished

hope this helps

 

[andrewlloyd]

I build my crossfire enclosure last year 4x2x2 and I'm using a 100wt Megaray. As you can see from the picture below i cut a circular hole in the top of my enclosure and the Megaray sits on brackets this way i can regulate the temp. If it is too hot in the summer i can raise the bulb and lower it in the winter if needed.

In this picture the enclosure is not finished and upside down:

here is a picture finished

hope this helps

Wow, that looks great!
Just wondering, what does your dome fixter (With the Megaray in) sit on? do you have like a clamp or something that you use?
And your temps are perfect with this setup?

Cheers

 

[mishelly58]

Temps are running perfectly. I put 4 straight metal brackets (like the braces that you can use to holdtwo pieces of wood or furniture together so that they can't come apart) so that they are screwed into the enclosure and the dome fixture can sit right on top.

 

[andrewlloyd]

I put 4 straight metal brackets (like the braces that you can use to holdtwo pieces of wood or furniture together so that they can't come apart

Do you mean like a G Clamp?
Sorry not to sure what you mean, do you have a picture of them? Or if possible, could you take one for me?