Hello Everyone,
I regret to have to tell everyone that the Exo terra Hagen Solar Glo 125watt & 160watt MVB's are not as good as previously thought. In the year of 2009, they tested very well with UVB meter testing, through Frances & a few other independent testers. However, after reading on the UVB discussion board this evening, Frances had made a post regarding some preliminary testings of both the 125watt & the 160watt MVB's. Apparently, a colleague or staff member confirmed that the president of the Exo terra UK parent company, Rolph C Hagen admitted that they had changed the specs of their bulbs.
In the past, the bulbs had been "hand blown" bulbs but now, they are apparently being made through an automatic machine process or something similar which has greatly decreased the UVB. He admitted that they had been changed from last year, more specifically, in November of 2009.
Her preliminary results are upon initial burn in the bulbs were emitting 48uW/cm2 after 30 minutes, & only a mere 29uW/cm2 after 105 hours of burn in. That is hideous for a MVB.
So, I have to say that I do not recommend this bulb for anything other than a basking light. They are changing their specs on their tube bulbs every time they manufacture new batches as well, which makes it increasingly difficult for Frances or anyone else doing testing on Exo terra bulbs to get any type of standard on their products.
If anyone would like for me to request a report from Frances to post on this board, just let me know & I will twist her arm!
So, you are probably asking, where does that leave us now if you do have the Solar Glo MVB currently? One positive is that at least they are not emitting any "harmful" UVB's. However, you are basically just paying money for virtually a basking light with just slight UVB emissions that will not last long.
Hopefully everything will be ironed out soon with the T-rex, & the Powersun. I believe that the Megarays are on the track to having it all fixed now, so, you are not without options.
Edit: I have spoken with Frances this morning regarding the readings & efficiency of the Solar Glo 125 watt & the 160 watt MVB's. While it is frustrating that her testing on the bulbs proves that they do not have the output as they previously did, unfortunately, there is no proof that every light will test the same. So, until further testing is done, her words are "we just don't know" is all that I can give right now as to how much UVB they are putting out. While you would think that the company would test their lights before sending them out, they obviously have not been or have been haphazardly doing so. She did say that the older lights were quite good, but cannot comment much further on the newer models other than the initial tests that have been done. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know & I will try to find the answers for you. The best would be to if you have any doubts as to what your light is putting out, you will need to get it tested with a UVB meter.
Tracie
I regret to have to tell everyone that the Exo terra Hagen Solar Glo 125watt & 160watt MVB's are not as good as previously thought. In the year of 2009, they tested very well with UVB meter testing, through Frances & a few other independent testers. However, after reading on the UVB discussion board this evening, Frances had made a post regarding some preliminary testings of both the 125watt & the 160watt MVB's. Apparently, a colleague or staff member confirmed that the president of the Exo terra UK parent company, Rolph C Hagen admitted that they had changed the specs of their bulbs.
In the past, the bulbs had been "hand blown" bulbs but now, they are apparently being made through an automatic machine process or something similar which has greatly decreased the UVB. He admitted that they had been changed from last year, more specifically, in November of 2009.
Her preliminary results are upon initial burn in the bulbs were emitting 48uW/cm2 after 30 minutes, & only a mere 29uW/cm2 after 105 hours of burn in. That is hideous for a MVB.
So, I have to say that I do not recommend this bulb for anything other than a basking light. They are changing their specs on their tube bulbs every time they manufacture new batches as well, which makes it increasingly difficult for Frances or anyone else doing testing on Exo terra bulbs to get any type of standard on their products.
If anyone would like for me to request a report from Frances to post on this board, just let me know & I will twist her arm!
So, you are probably asking, where does that leave us now if you do have the Solar Glo MVB currently? One positive is that at least they are not emitting any "harmful" UVB's. However, you are basically just paying money for virtually a basking light with just slight UVB emissions that will not last long.
Hopefully everything will be ironed out soon with the T-rex, & the Powersun. I believe that the Megarays are on the track to having it all fixed now, so, you are not without options.
Edit: I have spoken with Frances this morning regarding the readings & efficiency of the Solar Glo 125 watt & the 160 watt MVB's. While it is frustrating that her testing on the bulbs proves that they do not have the output as they previously did, unfortunately, there is no proof that every light will test the same. So, until further testing is done, her words are "we just don't know" is all that I can give right now as to how much UVB they are putting out. While you would think that the company would test their lights before sending them out, they obviously have not been or have been haphazardly doing so. She did say that the older lights were quite good, but cannot comment much further on the newer models other than the initial tests that have been done. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know & I will try to find the answers for you. The best would be to if you have any doubts as to what your light is putting out, you will need to get it tested with a UVB meter.
Tracie