**Mega Ray Issues** / Megaray RECALL

[vickson420]

John
Thank you for your response.While I understand your point in regards to not being able to verify it will heat all tanks appropriately as sizes and climates vary do you have any data showing what the coating did in regards to decresing heat output? In otherwords compared to what an individual bulb was putting out prior to the coating verses with the coating? Also maybe I missed it but do you know what the UVB output range is now with the coating? Also judging by your last statement is it safe to say that the coated bulbs will not be a permanent fixture and at some point the manufacturing willk return to the way they were prior to these issues?

 

[MontysMom]

Just wanted to say that John has been incredibly generous and helpful with me and I am very appreciative.

 

[vickson420]

Just wanted to say that John has been incredibly generous and helpful with me and I am very appreciative.

Yes John does do his very best and we do appreciate it. I hope he knows that nothing being said or asked is meant to reflect anything otherwise.

 

[Germ]

The point being, I ordered the original Mega-Ray, received a modified version. As I can appreciate Reptile UV's efforts to rectify their problems, it is their problems, not mine, as the consumer, I am the one stuck with an inferior bulb. If the problem warnings had been posted on your site, with the process that was being done to fix it, when I ordered the bulb, and I ordered the bulb anyway, then I would be responsible for my own actions, the fact remains, they weren't.

Germain

 

[Germ]

Come now folks, there is absolutely nothing at all personal here. I am talking about the product.

 

[JMWolff12]

Thank you for the support. I don't take thing of this nature personal. This is business, plain and simple, and I don't have the time or energy to allow something like this to hurt my feelings. I do have a range of the UVB readings, as well as the UVI readings, and I will post that shortly. I also can tell you that the temperatures seem to have fallen anywhere from 5-12 degrees from the original bulbs. You are absolutely correct in thinking that we anticipate the bulbs going back to their original design. This is no more acceptable to us than it is to our customers, we are merely trying to work throught the difficulties and get back to being the best of the best, as we have been for many years. Germain, I do not take offense to anything you say. I wish that the post had been up at that point, but we did not know how far reaching the problem was at that time. As soon as we realized how widespread the problem was, we halted all shipping immediately, and that same day I joined this forum, and posted a response to the situation. I am stil trying to catch up from this mess, and will continue to do so. As I have said before, if anyone needs me, just email me.

John

 

[beardie parents]

John, you talked about some thinking the mega ray's were to hot according to some people. That's why we ordered the 60 watt eb setup. I mentioned earlier on the last page how happy I am with that bulb and the way they have improved our girls' appetites. I watched this thing unfold during the last 5 months, more or less, and I was very pleased as to how you handled the problem when it was plain that it was a wide reaching problem. We could have gone back to the reptisun 10 tube but, replacing them every 4 to 6 months (usually less than 6 months) makes them a little more expensive than the mega rays. I like the one we have as it's really easy for us to keep the temps where they need to. All we have to do is change the wattage of the heat bulb we use up or down depending on the heat of the day and time of year.

Thanks for a really great product. The eb setup we got from you has shown us to be better, uvb wise, than the t-rex we had, which didn't have any problems until the problems showed up with your product.
We will be continuing with this bulb next year sometime when it's time to replace it again.

 

[puffsmama]

I did not order a Mega Ray with the expectation that it would be an "all in one bulb". I ordered it for the superior UVB output. I actually like the fact that the MegaRay doesn't get as hot...after my first couple of weeks of use, I noticed my temps were not running as warm as they initially did, so I added a halogen bulb, which I can adjust nearer or closer as needed for my temps. I actually prefer that the MegaRay not get as warm. Being that it also has a max distance in order to be effective, I'm glad that I can have the bulb at max distance and not have it overheating the basking spot. I like that I have the flexibility I need to manage Kiera's UVB and temps.
John, Kiera and I continue to be very happy with her Mega Ray!! thank you again for a great product and for the way you all handled the issue with the bulbs!!
Cindy and Kiera

 

[acwood04]

It also has been recommended by many professionals that you pair the bulb with a regular halogen or incandescent bulb. I've done this for a while and it always makes getting the best temps easier. I would much rather a bulb that produces too little, since you can add a bulb/wattage but cant subtract it when you've only got one light. Also, all MVB bulbs give off that greenish tint, so I like to have a regular bulb next to it so the visual light looks warmer. I think you'll find you get the best results when you pair the bulb with a regular household bulb or a spot bulb.

 

[puffsmama]

It also has been recommended by many professionals that you pair the bulb with a regular halogen or incandescent bulb. I've done this for a while and it always makes getting the best temps easier. I would much rather a bulb that produces too little, since you can add a bulb/wattage but cant subtract it when you've only got one light. Also, all MVB bulbs give off that greenish tint, so I like to have a regular bulb next to it so the visual light looks warmer. I think you'll find you get the best results when you pair the bulb with a regular household bulb or a spot bulb.

My point exactly...it is much easier to add to it than to subtract from it. also, it was my understanding as well to have a bright halogen or fluorescent along with the UVB to help protect their eye from the UVB. It is my understanding that the bright light shields them from the type of light produced by the UVB.

 

[Germ]

The theory is that brighter light makes the pupils smaller, therefore not allowing in as much UV rays.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It is no theory however. Bright light will cause the pupil to constrict, protecting the eye from any UVB damage, but any UVB will still penetrate to the skin & body. The extra lighting being used in combination with the Megaray will increase the CRI which helps even more with eye protection & overall balance of the lighting spectrum for them.
That is one of the reasons why there has been eye damage from the compact/coil lights because there was not enough UVA to stimulate brightness & reduce eye fatigue. The dimmer light causes the pupils to dilate leaving the eyes more vulnerable to UVB damage & penetration.
So, you want brighter light & higher CRI to encourage basking & to protect the eyes.

Tracie

 

[ajkry2]

I installed a 160W MegaRay last night, and couldn't be happier. I'm still playing with the temps, but 10 mins under the light, and saharas belly was creamy white and she munched up a toooonnnn of roaches. I will take the advice to use a flood lamp to increase temps, and see if I can make it work better that way.

Its only been about a day and a half -- but so far so good :mrgreen:

 

[LawDragon]

As always, thanks BD.org for your help! I have been noticing Helios (formerly Buddy) leaving one or the other eye closed since he came out of burmation in February, but discounted it as his usual odd behavior. But the situation escalated and he started refusing to open his eyes even to eat!!! Luckily for me, BD.org not only had the answer, but had placed it in a sticky to draw my attention. I'd switched from a PowerSun to a Mega-Ray in November and I just looked and it is indeed flaking. I've already turned off the UVB and sent John an email, all thanks to this site. Thanks to the administrators and contributors for all their work!

 

[binger]

Hey Guys,

To each of the users, admins, and John @ Megaray, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I replaced my Megaray 100w bulbs 5-6 days ago, and 2 days ago, my male adult beardie wouldn't open his eyes, became very lethargic, and just seemed sick. I was freaking out, and came to BD.org for answers as I always do.

Looks like my new bulb(s) might be the problem. I've emailed John and am waiting for a response. My last 2 experiences with Megarays have been great, so I'm confident this will be a one-time issue.

Now that I have his light off, should I have her's turned off, too???? She seems fine, is dancing and eating like normal. I'm concerned about their temperatures, but I know that I have to keep the Megarays turned off no matter what until I get this straightened out.

They both have household bulbs in place, 40W frosted indoor bulbs. They'll provide *some* light/heat, but will my babies be ok until I sort out the UVB situation?

Hopefully I hear back from John soon - from what I'm reading he's excellent with dealing with these things.

P.S. - What are the minimum and maximum distances for having the Megaray 100w bulbs? I thought I read somewhere on here about a 16" distance, but that seems high. At 16" I'd be WELL under temps.

Thank you