mvb & light fixtures

[isearch12]

Hi people
Well I just went through my 4th 160 watt mercury vapor bulb in 6 months. Two where replace by the company I got them from with no hassle (both of these went in under a week two different brands). What I learned is this The bulbs are delicate and special. They cannot be dimmed (I never dimmed them). They cannot be used with a X10 module to turn them on and off (First lesson). They do not like to be turn off and on (second lesson). They do not like to be moved on and off a screened top (third lesson). After the third lesson I got one to last 3+ months. I would just say To h$## with these bulbs but my beardie likes them.
So now I am buying my next 160 watt mercury vapor bulb and a new lamp fixture. The old lamp fixture was a zoo med lf-17 deep dome fixture. I liked it because it kept the bulb off the screen but I think it is not wide enough and the bulb runs to hot. I have spent a lot of time tonight looking for a good fixture to use but could not find one. I would like to find a 10" 250 watt fixture deep enough for a megaray 160 watt sb bulb. Is the Fluker's sun dome a 10" fixture? Can someone help please? Or is my only option to hang a 10" brooder fixture above the screen. Why is it so hard to find pet products that work together?
Thanks for any help in advance Chris

 

[muzikfreakah]

I got a Mega-Ray 160 watt and surprisingly I get less that 95F at around 10 inches away from the screen top :-( I dont get it, but If I put an ordinary 120 watt par 38 spotlight, it goes even above 110F, but not UV.

 

[shermansmom]

I got my light fixture at cagesbydesign.com. I have a 100 watt Megaray and it works great. It was a little pricy, but well worth it IMO.

 

[muzikfreakah]

With your 100 watts, may I ask what your temp is on your basking area and how far is the MVB from your basking area? Thanks!

 

[shermansmom]

It is 12-13" away from the basking rock and my temp are in 100-115 range. I thought I would have trouble with the temps being too high, but they are in the proper range. I have only been using the Megaray for 2 days, but so far I love it.

 

[muzikfreakah]

Hmmm, could there be something wrong with mine? Both Analog and Digital Thermometers have similar readings.
Lamp: Mega-Ray 160 watts MVB.
Distance: around 10 inches away from the light source.
Temp: 90F

 

[shermansmom]

I use a temp gun. How old is your bulb?

 

[muzikfreakah]

The bulb just arrived the other day and I just placed it on. I dont think its the thermometer because when I replace the MVB with an ordinary Par 38 120 watt Flood lamp, I even get more than 110F thats why I had to move the hamock down, really low. But now with the Megaray 160 watt, I had to move the hammock up to about 10 inches and I am still getting low temps, will email Mega-Ray.

 

[shermansmom]

Yeah, I would contact Megaray. Maybe they send you a dud.

 

[NegativeCreep]

Yeah, I would contact Megaray. Maybe they send you a dud.

From what I understand, MegaRay checks every single bulb before it's shipped.. I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure I have heard that...

 

[isearch12]

Nice setup shermansmom. When you have time could you let me know how wide that fixture is at the bottom. Is it ~10" or more like 8".

 

[KINGSAME]

I have my MegaRay about 12'-13' inches away from the basking log and I am running 110 going thru the screen.

 

[beardie parents]

If I remember correctly, the 160 mega ray needs to be around 18 inches from the basking spot. The 100 megaray is supposed to be 12 inches from the basking spot. I would check his website: http://www.reptileuv.com that has the info on both bulbs, including what distance they need to be from your beardies basking spot.

 

[shermansmom]

It is 10"

 

[diamc]

Beardie parents is right, a 100 watt MVB should be a minimum of 12" away and a 160 watt a minimum of 18" away . They put out a lot of ultra violet rays and that is why they are so special but at closer than the minimum distances, damage to the beardie could occur. They also do throw off a lot of heat if they are working properly.

Also wanted to mention that the MVB's should not be used at an angle as that could damage the filaments in the bulb. The bulb needs to always be flat. That info is posted on the reptiluv website.