TRex UVB Mercury Vapor?

[Rockymountain]

Hi All,

Should I purchase a 100 or 160 or a 55 gallon setup?

Patty

 

[midnight_962002]

I guess it depends on how high or low your basking spot is.

 

[Rockymountain]

I am going to purchase a mega ray but am unsure which wattage for a 55 gallon. Right now I am using a 100 watt powersun uvb and have not been able to get the temp to 100

 

[h0ndap0w3r]

ask the people on their site. . .they will recommend the wattage

 

[RioReptiles]

What are your temps now and how far is your Power Sun from the basking spot?
You should try to use the recommended distance to get the right temps, it seems to work out perfectly for me. The 100w is 12" and 160w is 18", so if your tank is over 12" tall, you could try the the 160w. You just have to be careful that it doesn't get too hot. I have Power Sun and Mega Ray, and I think the Mega Ray is a little hotter by a couple degrees. It might be better to get the 100w and raise the basking spot to get your temps. Cheryl

 

[Rockymountain]

What are your temps now and how far is your Power Sun from the basking spot?
You should try to use the recommended distance to get the right temps, it seems to work out perfectly for me. The 100w is 12" and 160w is 18", so if your tank is over 12" tall, you could try the the 160w. You just have to be careful that it doesn't get too hot. I have Power Sun and Mega Ray, and I think the Mega Ray is a little hotter by a couple degrees. It might be better to get the 100w and raise the basking spot to get your temps. Cheryl

my temps with the power sun get to 90 degrees. 12 inches from the basking spot.

 

[Rockymountain]

What are your temps now and how far is your Power Sun from the basking spot?
You should try to use the recommended distance to get the right temps, it seems to work out perfectly for me. The 100w is 12" and 160w is 18", so if your tank is over 12" tall, you could try the the 160w. You just have to be careful that it doesn't get too hot. I have Power Sun and Mega Ray, and I think the Mega Ray is a little hotter by a couple degrees. It might be better to get the 100w and raise the basking spot to get your temps. Cheryl

my temps with the power sun get to 90 degrees. 12 inches from the basking spot.

Is the TREX an ok bulb to use? I've never used this one before?

 

[Drache613]

Hello Patty,

The T-rex is just pretty much as good as the Megaray is. It does run a little hot, so, for a 55 gallon, I would recommend a 100 watt. Just make sure it is 12 inches from your dragon, for safety & he should be fine.

Good luck.

Tracie

 

[RioReptiles]

The T-Rex is one of the best next to the Mega Ray. They are very much alike. I think it will get way too hot with a 160w unless you can get it the recomended18 inches above the basking spot. It could be that your Power Sun is getting old and isn't putting out as much so I would stay with the 100w but upgrade to the T-Rex. They have a different lens then the Power Sun too, its not smooth, so I think it puts out a better quality UV over a broader area. I was going to get the 160w but I'm glad I didn't. Cheryl

 

[midnight_962002]

What kind of temperature gauge are you using? I can't believe that at that temperature it isn't going up higher.

Ernie

 

[diamc]

You have to be sure that you are using either a temperature gun or a digital with a long wire and probe on the end or your beardie could overheat and possibly not survive. I have a T-Rex 100 watt in my 55 gallon tank and the bulb is 14" from the basking area. The basking temp is 106. Now that the weather is cooler and because the tank is next to a window, I have a 40 watt household bulb on the cool side and get a temp of 79 to 81. With a 100 watt MVB you would have some choices of getting a higher temp if needed by either raising the basking surface (bearing in mind that it can't be any closer than 12") or putting a lower wattage household bulb alongside the MVB. But, if you got a 160 watt and the basking temp was too high, your options are very limited in trying to lower the temp and have the bulb distance right. Also make sure that you get a deep dome and it has a ceramic top as the MVB's put out a lot of heat. With the MVB's you also need to get calcium without D3.

 

[Rockymountain]

What kind of temperature gauge are you using? I can't believe that at that temperature it isn't going up higher.

Ernie

I am using a digital with a wire.

 

[Rockymountain]

You have to be sure that you are using either a temperature gun or a digital with a long wire and probe on the end or your beardie could overheat and possibly not survive. I have a T-Rex 100 watt in my 55 gallon tank and the bulb is 14" from the basking area. The basking temp is 106. Now that the weather is cooler and because the tank is next to a window, I have a 40 watt household bulb on the cool side and get a temp of 79 to 81. With a 100 watt MVB you would have some choices of getting a higher temp if needed by either raising the basking surface (bearing in mind that it can't be any closer than 12") or putting a lower wattage household bulb alongside the MVB. But, if you got a 160 watt and the basking temp was too high, your options are very limited in trying to lower the temp and have the bulb distance right. Also make sure that you get a deep dome and it has a ceramic top as the MVB's put out a lot of heat. With the MVB's you also need to get calcium without D3.

I did not know to get calcium WITHOUT D3. Thank you for that advice for sure. I ordered the 100 watt yesterday so things will probably be just fine now. She is brumating anyway right now. While she is brumating I want to have the UVB and heat still cycle as normal correct?

Thank you ALL for all the great advice.

Patty