3. The current situation with ReptileUV and T-Rex lamps including all MVB's, and the distances that lamps should be placed from the dragons.
In this thread, there are a couple of points made about the other MVBs, that maybe I ought to clarify.
As far as I know, ReptileUV are still hand testing every MegaRay that comes into their wareheouse, whether it is direct from the Westron factory, or stock returned by a customer after the recall; these are being coated individually with a specific heat-sealed treatment which filters out any excessively short-wavelength UVB, so their output should fall within the correct range.
I do not know what T-Rex are doing to correct the "problem" lamps. The last I heard, they were not doing anything except holding back on new purchases of the Westron lamps (which they sell as "Active UV Heat Flood" lamps) until they heard that Westron had fixed the problem. I have not yet heard anything to suggest this has happened.
They are now also selling an "economy" MVB called a "T-Rex UV Heat" lamp. This is a Chinese product. I am currently testing two right now. I don't have any definite results yet except to say that one has a far greater output than the other :?
As regards distances ... If you think about it, the minimum distance MUST always refer to the distance from the surface of the lamp, to the top of the reptile's head (or nearest part of his body)... how can it mean anything else? If I had a hatchling beardie, true, this would be very similar to the distance from lamp to basking spot - ie. the shelf, or log, or whatever. But what if I have an adult Green Iguana? If he stands 14" tall, and a minimum distance of 14" meant "to the basking spot"... his head would touch the bulb itself!
:evil: :evil:
The ReptileUV MegaRay lamps have a label that indicates a minimum distance from lamp to reptile's head should be 12" for their 100W lamp and 15" for their 160W... but those labels are the same ones they've used since the lamps first came out, it must be 5 years ago now. Recently they announced that, given the higher UVB they are seeing - even after treating the affected lamps - they recommend a minimum distance of 14 - 15" for the 100W lamps now. I don't think I've seen a recommendation for the 160W but I'm going to suggest 18 - 20" might be sensible. I hope they update their labels soon...
T-Rex say the minimum distances for Active UV Heat lamps are 12" for 100W and 18" for 160W on their boxes. Because I don't know what they are selling right now I can't comment on that, except I would suggest caution.
Best wishes,
Frances