Travel light and reflective for current light

[Rampagingraptor]

So, as the title suggests, I am looking at getting a travel light for my Beardie. I already have a 2 light fixture combo with a stand, and I like the basking bulb I have, but I don't really have a proper UVB bulb to go with it. What I was looking for was a UVB bulb that could fit into the light fixture combo, a good MVB bulb (never really used one, so I don't know too much about them), or something else that could work out. While I like tube lights, I don't think its really prudent to use one for traveling (especially with how fragile it is and how easy it can break), so I wanted to try something more compact.
For a bit of reference for what I am going to use, I am going to be using this playpen. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PQ0FJGE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
The other question I had was where I could find a good reflector for my UVB tube light and how to hang it. Right now, I have a cheap light fixture with a reptisun 10.0 t8 36" bulb in it, and it screwed into the top of Diablo's cage. Is there any sort of reflector that I could attach to it, and how would I go about doing it?
I also wanted to try to get both of these sooner rather than later (especially for the travel stuff as I go somewhere this weekend), so having on of them work with Amazon prime would really be nice, but I am open to cheap prices and other places.
Any suggestions would really help me out.

 

[CooperDragon]

Copy cat with the playpen. Sheesh! :wink: I like that pen a lot. Please let me know how it works. For travel I've been using my PAR38 halogen flood because it has such a tough glass piece in front. Seems to handle moving around much better than the ZooMed spot lamp. I have a MegaRay 100w MVB on order that I'm going to use in one of my portable basking areas and probably bring that along for travel as well. I want to do a bit of testing with it but it should work out well. You'd need a fixture that is rated to handle it. Not sure if an MVB will work with a dual dome or not in terms of wattage and size/shape. I can get you some dimensions though when my bulb arrives. Until now I've tried using a T8 UVB tube and it worked well enough but when traveling for only a few days it really hasn't been an issue to use only a basking light.

 

[CooperDragon]

Lightyourreptiles has reflectors http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-t8-36-lamp-reflector/

 

[ruben0311]

depending on where you are going you probably wont even need a uvb source. unless it is going to be for more than a weeks time he's good to go with just heat. setting up that sweet enclosure near an open window will suffice as light bends around objects and reflects so UVB will still enter a room, even though not as strongly as direct light, but enough to keep him going. plus not having UVB for a short period of time doesnt immediately hurt em... unless he's already got MBD then yeah you'll need some type of compact, maybe reptisun compact? it'll fit in your dual too

 

[CooperDragon]

You could go with a compact UVB in the dual, maybe the Exo Terra UVB 200. The rub with those is that they really don't do much at a distance. I've tested the 150 and it's similar to a T8 in output distance with optimal being at around 6-8''. That won't do when you have that mesh top and it's 25'' tall. You'd need to cut the top off and lower the light fixture into the enclosure. I think you're better off with a more powerful light for the greater distance or just going with a decent basking light for shorter trips.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Hey, when an idea is good, I see no reason to "borrow" it.
You'll have to keep us informed about how well that works out, Cooper! Wouldn't mind hearing how the MVB holds up!
Would this be the Exo Terra UVB you are referring to, Cooper? I remember the whole coil things being bad a while ago, but I heard they were ok again. Figure that is right, but doesn't hurt to check.
http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Intense-Compact-Fluorescent/dp/B00B4ZRXSW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1458673889&sr=8-3&keywords=exo+terra+uvb
I understand I can go without a UVB, but if I can take one with me, I see no reason not to. It makes it easier for me to take care of her in future events, too. I do also have a smaller uvb, but its a reptisun 5.0, the first UVB I got when I was in a rush to get stuff for Diablo (should have prepared, I know, but it was spur of the moment. ). Obviously its a bit lacking, but it does provide a decent UVB source short term.
That reflector is also exactly what I was looking for! Wish it wasn't so expensive. :/
O well, I'll order it in a sec, and the installation should be pretty quick!
That's the nice thing about the Playpen, it actually has a removeable top! Obviously I will have to come with a setup so that the light can easily hang from it and not have to worry about it falling out, but I am very handy scout and I'll figure out something. I am heading up to my parents for a couple of days for Easter, so I am sure my dad can help me figure this out as well.

 

[CooperDragon]

The adjustable lamp stands are perfect as a travel light holder. The UVB light you linked is the one I was thinking about. I wouldn't bother with the 5.0 as it's too weak to provide useful output at any distance. I'm not exactly sure what the optimal distance is for the 200 but here are my results from the 150. You can see how the output really falls off a cliff at any real distance. Optimal output is around 3-5 UVI.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Yeah, I actually have one of the adjustable lamp holders, I think that it might be an issue cause I would have to put this one directly in the playpen. If its not too much of an issue to just put it in, I can easily make this work out by creating or using a makeshift weight to hold it in place with little to no wiggle room. My only real concern is if she would crawl on it.
I am trying to see if I can find a good chart for the 200 to see if there might be a better one, and so far I have found this one on there site. http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_uvb200.php
I'm not too sure how accurate it is, but I figured you might want to take a look at it, and I will continue to see if I can find a better chart.

 

[CooperDragon]

The best charts are from Frances Baines but I don't know that she's tested these out. Kingofnobbys uses them and swears by them. I'm just not certain of the output at various distances and you don't want to get too close because they're visually intense (eye irritation). The chart on their site puts it at 90uW/cm2 at 8'' which is so so. I'd say 6-8'' on that one too. Based on test results for other bulbs I'd say the optimal UVB exposure is (roughly) 100-160 uW/cm2 in the basking area. This is similar to the 3-5 UVI that I suggest.

I take the adjustable stands and set them up backwards with the plate facing away from the bulb. Having the plate face forward is fine when it's under a heavy tank, but when it's backwards I can put it under a heavy chair or bedpost or stack of books to easily offset the weight of the fixture on the other side.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too for distance. I am not too sure if the lamp stand that I have can reach all the way over the outside edge of the playpen to reach into the playpen. Would it be a good idea to keep the lamp stand inside the playpen as long as I keep it properly secure?
I might be able to find something else online, but if I can safely use it in the playpen, that would work out nicely.

 

[CooperDragon]

What kind of lamp stand are you using? One of these? http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Reptile-Lamp-Stand/dp/B000255OUO The top arm can reach out pretty far and get over the edge of the enclosure in most cases.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

No, the one that I have is this one. http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Reptile-Stand-Economy/dp/B000HG76B8/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1458680224&sr=1-2&keywords=reptile+lamp+stand+zoo+med
I don't think it would be able to properly fit over the rim of the playpen I ordered.
I was starting to wonder if the one you posted would be able to reach down far enough, but then I realized I can just use something to prop her up high enough. :roll:

 

[CooperDragon]

Ah OK. That's just the smaller version. Yeah if you can build a portable basking area (double it as a hide) to bring her up to the right level that would work too. I usually bring a habba hut and one or two driftwood pieces.

 

[jenh010112]

This might be old news and you might already have a solution, but came across this today in Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A98HM94?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A3LRDQCJ73A2H4

I think I might get it for yard time! I took my rescue, Jack, outside yesterday. Just chilled on my shoulder and enjoyed the sun.

 

[ruben0311]

This might be old news and you might already have a solution, but came across this today in Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A98HM94?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A3LRDQCJ73A2H4

I think I might get it for yard time! I took my rescue, Jack, outside yesterday. Just chilled on my shoulder and enjoyed the sun.

that thing is huge!!!! nice find