PowerSun Mercury Vapor Bulbs Research Help

[Drache613]

Hello Geo,

Sorry to hear about your two girls. That is too bad. You obviously got the new bulbs, especially since you described the "newly packaged box" then. If you want to ship the 2 bulbs to the UK for Frances to test them, let me know. I will give you her email address so you can converse with her to get her mailing address.
How close were the bulbs to them, the recommended 12 inch, & you had the 100 watt PowerSun, right?
I would recommend either the Megaray or the T-rex active UV heat instead of the PowerSun right now.
You can use just a regular basking light such as a regular household light bulb or a halogen flood light for now. It should take 1-2 weeks for their eyes to completely recover.

Keep me posted on them both.

Thanks.
Tracie

 

[tekkamangeo]

Hi Tracie. I did indeed follow the recommended height. The good thing was that they've recovered and rather fast. I caught them just as they were starting. It's been 5 days and since then, the baby one has recovered. The older one has recovered as well. I feel awful about it. As soon as the big one was able to see, she went ballistic and I'm working to earn her trust again. Anyone who doesn't believe that these dragons are smart should think again. They remember if you hurt it and she certainly remembers the burning thanks to the bulb by me. The little one wasn't so harsh on me and has let me hold her. The other thing I wanted to let you know was that Zoo Med gave me the run around. I told them on email that I went by their specifics. They then replied that I should have placed it as high as 24 inches?! That really bothers me. If a representative knows that it was better to place it at 24inches instead of 12inches, why not specify that on the insert?! I'm extremely disappointed in them as I thought that they cared about their customers (humans and animals). Tracie... for the Trex bulb, what is the recommended height? I am ordering those in and as soon as I do, I'll contact you about possibly send these bulbs over for research. Zoo Med won't give me a refund nor do are they taking responsibility for their inaccurate information on the inserts.

Geo

 

[Drache613]

Hello Geo,

Geez, how terrible! I am sorry that Zoomed was that unprofessional with you. I highly suggest that you report them to the Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce in your area or something. You should get a refund.
They gave the run around also?
They said that you should have had it at 24 inches? They have never specified 24 inches so why now? That is absolutely ridiculous that they would say that, they have no idea how bad that makes them look. I would file some type of complaint for misrepresentation.
Do you want to contact Frances to give her this information? I recommend that you do as she needs to know how they are treating their customers concerning this issue. If so let me know, I will get you her email.

Tracie

 

[tekkamangeo]

Hi Tracie.

Unfortunately, that was the situation with ZooMed... not a single word of refund or are you satisfied. The email that was sent back told me at the very least, to keep the lamp off which is like duh! Then when it heals, put it up to 20-24 inches. Now hmm... should we have been told that in the insert in the first place? Here's an excerpt from the email, "When they open their eyes back up, start with the bulb 20 to 24 inches away from the basking site. This should significantly cut down on the UVB dose that your pets receive but keep it in the beneficial range."

I found that rather offensive... beneficial but offensive. I mean... HAD I known that 20-24 inches was ideal in the first place, I would not be in the situation that I was in originally just so that she (the representative) would later tell me information that I should have had to begin with. The other problem I had with the email was this "beneficial range" and the use of the word "start." You mean to tell me that I have to try and figure out IF 20-24 inches works by starting it out there? Now I have to take their word on it again? No thank you! Once burned, twice shy... or in this case, my 9 month lady isn't shy, but angry with me and won't let me touch her (probably thinks I'm going to barbeque her again.) I'm still waiting for the T-Rex Bulbs. I'm waiting and so are my two ladies. For now, they are using a uva bulb as well as a fluorescent uvb bulb. When those bulbs come in, I'll contact you to get the information to send these PowerBBQ bulbs for research. ZooMed, thank you but no thanks. Until you can get your stuff straight, you've lost a customer... or three.

 

[tekkamangeo]

Hi Tracie... I forgot to add.. I would like to contact Frances concerning the bulbs and such. I've also written a very "nice" review of the bulb on our product reviews. After all, I had two bulbs in two tanks and two barbequed beardies so I guess I have some expertise... expertise that I didn't really need. =( I do admit though, the boxes design for those bulbs can easily entice buying with all its colorfulness and the red beardie and what not. I feel like such a sucker.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Geo,

OMG, that is absolutely completely unacceptable! I am positive that Frances is NOT aware of what is going on with Zoomed telling their customers that. I will PM you her address & please when you do talk with her, include that email you just posted on here to her. I will guarantee you that she will not be happy about that.
I agree, how on earth would anyone know to put it at 20-25 inches away? That is a long distance away, one that they have never recommended with any of their products. Good grief.
They should gladly cooperate with their customers since it IS their fault. I am so sorry that they treated you that way, & have no compassion for your dragons, either. Wow, in light of that, I most definitely will not be recommending them for awhile. I do recommend the Reptisun 10 tube though because it is a good bulb. In this day & age with the economy the way it is you cannot afford to treat customers that way, as they can & will go somewhere where they are treated with more respect.

Talk to you soon.
Tracie

 

[xxdragonflamesxx]

Wow! I am so happy I found this thread now. I am going to be picking up my new baby Elliott on Friday (that is when he will be 8 weeks old). I found this in the nick of time. I already purchased a Powersun 100W bulb and had all of my temps and everything right. I thought I was all set for Friday, until I read this. I have already ordered a Mega Ray, but have not been sent the shipping info yet. I don't know if it will get here in time. If it does not, does anyone know if it would be acceptable to use the Powersun Bulb as a larger distance away, or would some other temporary alternative be better? I noticed the last post was a little under a month ago, any new developments since then?

 

[tekkamangeo]

Hi there! Welcome aboard to the world of beardies. Glad you read up on this. If you are interested in the Trex bulb which was highly recommended by Tracie and others, http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/-/t-rex-100-watt-flood-active-uv-heat-bulb/
That's a direct link by the way. I actually physically went to this store located in Southern California. Prices were really competitive and they take care of their reptile stock rather well. I was thoroughly impressed. They do ship obviously and it isn't too bad. They are also having a beardie baby sale. http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/animals/bearded-dragons/-/baby-bearded-dragons/
I've looked at their beardie stock and they are hyper, hungry, and adorably tame.

In any case, do get this bulb as that way you don't have to second guess like i did when i had the power sun. Even zoo med people gave me different answers which i find scary and as a result of their "sound" advice, my beardies suffered burns and pains and what not. I've used the trex bulbs for a month at lower heights than the powersun (and as indicated by trex's instructions), and the results... No pain, no burning, normal shedding, crazy, crazy, crazy, appetites, and seem happy, relaxed and calm(my beardies finally forgave me for the powersun pain). Oh... and adequet heat and uvb and uva (LLL reptile store had meters on hand to test it for me =)... now that's love).

Have fun with your beardie! Give it attention everyday and you'll be amazed! Loyalty like like a dog... no slobber =)

Geo

P.S.
LLL reptile supply website should that link not work is
http://lllreptile.com
Save some money =) the bulb is under 45 compared to some places which i've seen in the 50s, 60s, 70s... and buy in bulk to save more money =)

 

[tekkamangeo]

If it does not, does anyone know if it would be acceptable to use the Powersun Bulb as a larger distance away, or would some other temporary alternative be better? I noticed the last post was a little under a month ago, any new developments since then?

By the way, i forgot to mention that yah... the powersun bulb can be used... but dont follow the paper insert... while i was waiting for the time to purchase my trex/megaray (same gentleman design both bulbs), i found that putting it at minimum of 17-24 (i put mine at 24 inches away) kept them from squirming or getting upset. Remember, that in Australia where they are native to, sun isnt there all the time. If you feel unsure while you wait for the awesome megaray, alternate days to use the powersun which i did. They will be fine. On the days i alternated, i used a incandescent bulb and combo-ed it with a ceramic heat emitter just so i could get the adequate temperature (i have a digital thermometer and hygrometer to do the job.

Geo
3 Beardies 1-12month on veggies, 1-7month on veggies and phoenix worms, 1-2 month on phoenix worm.

 

[xxdragonflamesxx]

Thanks for all your help! That is a good tup, I will follow the 24" rule alternating days and using an alternate heat source. I just got confirmation that my Megaray bulb shipped today so hopefully I will get it in time. If not, it shouldn't be more than a couple days without it. Hope everything works out! Thanks to this thread for sparing my new baby the thing your poor babies had to go through.

 

[MissT]

Tracie,

Have you had any updates from Frances? I filled in a questionnaire for her quite some time ago but am yet to hear anything back - I have been having some problems with my email account tho so that could be why!

Thanks

T

 

[xxdragonflamesxx]

Would it be acceptable to use a regular 75 watt soft white light bulb as a heat source and then have the powersun bulb raised up atleast 24" away from anywhere he can get to? That way he will be getting some UV rays, but not be too close to the powersun. Is there anything wrong with using a regular bulb for the heat source if I can maintain proper temps with it? Remember this is only a temporary solution until I get my Megaray (should be Wednesday) so he would only be exposed to this set up for 6 days tops (Friday-Wednesday). Please let me know your thoughts anyone.

 

[diamc]

It would be fine using a household light bulb to bring the temps up a little. But, if you notice any symptoms or have any concerns at all about he Power Sun even at the farther distance away, please turn it off right away. A few days without any UVB is fine.

 

[xxdragonflamesxx]

OK, I will do that for sure. It stinks, I had my whole viv set up and was all ready to go a week ago, and now I have to scramble at the last minute cause of stupid Powersun. I wanted to bring Elliott home to a perfect environment and get off on the right foot, and now this...I don't understand why a company with such a good reputation would reformulate. If it ain't broke, why try and fix it?

 

[Salient]

Hi all..

God, I just bought our 8 month old beadie a Power Sun 100W and in the last day and a half she started acting just as everyone here has been describing .. keeping both eyes closed. She'd only open one if I opened the cage, she had little appetite. Even when we took her out to hold her she behaved as if she was too pooped to pop and normally she's always running about.

I've just turned off the power sun and I'm crossing my fingers that it was that bulb that was making her unhappy!