Mercury Vapour Bulbs ?

[DiXX]

What do you guys think about these bulbs. ? Do you need to keep the uvb T5 d3 strip-light ? Also would you need to get a different ceramic bulb holder. And finally will it need a dome and dimming thermostat ?

 

[KarrieRee]

The T5 is that a Reptisun? Are you talking about a CHE? Yes it will need a different dome--- I have a 100 watt that only runs during the winter--- off during the summer--- you will need a basking bulb--- one that will keep your temps 90-105-- some where in that range--- some use house hold bulbs -- I cant use them they dont keep my tank at the desired temps--- I use a Exo Terra 100 watt basking bulb --
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

You can't dim MVBs.
You definitely want a dome to help direct the heat and uvb output. They really are only suitable in larger tanks.

Personally I prefer a tube uvb and a basking bulb.

-Brandon

 

[DiXX]

Thanks Brandon. You just saved me £50 +

 

[kingofnobbys]

MVBs are an excellent solution in that they can provide all the UV (A & B) a resptile requires + heat + a very nice level of visible lighting.

Best situations for using MVBs are
>> portable basking stations for an reptile who is allowed some freeranging time (on the floor) , under a lamp stand or using a springclamp to hold the domestyle light reflector fitting to a handy piece of furnature (chair's armrest , chair's seat (if just a plain timber dining chair) , coffee table , or even a doorknob.
>> very small rearing tanks/tubs (say 80 - 150L capacity), if you have more than one (a single MVB can provide light+heat+UV to at to 4 tubs at once if placed in the middle of the array of 4 tub over the central corner of all 4 tubs. ( I know breeders who do this when they have multiple clutches of hatchlings to rear .)
>> to provide a perfect basking spot in a larger tank , using a T8 10-12% UVB or T5ho 10-14%UVB tube in a reflector hood to provide the UV gradient needed for the rest of the tank.

 

[DiXX]

So what size vivarium is suitable ? I know you go in gallons but our vivarium is in inches so I have In English 4ft long 2ft high 1.5 feet wide. And have the t5 14% tube and reflector.

 

[kingofnobbys]

So what size vivarium is suitable ? I know you go in gallons but our vivarium is in inches so I have In English 4ft long 2ft high 1.5 feet wide. And have the t5 14% tube and reflector.

Yeh the yanks use a quaint measurement of volume called US Gallons which tells you nothing about L , H and W of the tank. They also seem obsessed with glass tanks with mesh lids.

This will help you decide :
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611
and performance of Arcadia T5 tubes
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=249112

The aims are about 180 to 200 microW UVB / sq.cm and 1 milliW UVA / sq.cm at the basking spot .
80 to 100 microW UVB / sq.cm and 500 microW UVA / sq.cm in the warm zone.

Your tank is 2 ft tall (60cm), so call the distance to the floor of the tank 45cm (this will take into account the height of a MVB in a low profile ceramic e27 fitting).

Is the tank a screen top or solid timber top ?

If it's a screen top, you can use place the MVB ontop if it's a metal mesh. Be aware the very fine mesh used often is going to block (shadow) about 45% of the UV from an MVB (or other UV source), but mounting on top or above the mesh will allow more climbing options for the dragon .

The 14%UVB T5ho tube will give perfect levels of UVB at 45cm from the tube when in a reflector hood, a naked tube will give perfect levels of UVB at 23cm , if unobstructed .
If you choose to mount ontop the mesh lid you need the basking spot to be 45% closer.



So a T5ho 14%UVB will work , and an Arcadia 80W MVB will be OK and give an really good basking spot , though the MVB is not necessary and can replaced with domestic Philips par38 incandescent flood globe

 

[Drache613]

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