UVB and Basking Confusion

[Vinnie223]

:study: I am a new BD Owner of a 2 yr old adopted him about 5 months ago, and I have been having issues with his solar glo and already decided to switch it out. what i am confused about is UVB and basking, I understand basking is when he is aborsbing the heat and UVB is supposed to simulate the suns actual rays? :study: If I am wrong please correct me, because I am getting ready to set up his new viv differntly and was considering getting the Mega-ray but the site says its not meant for heat purposes, so what I am confused at that part as too what should I use for basking, people here have told me just use a Home Depot Flood light. WIll that work because I do not want to bake my lil Iggy. I have grown to attach to him. Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, sincerly Vinnie

 

[Chaucer498]

Vinnie,

Hello and take my advice with a grain of salt as I am also new to all this but have been reading through the site and have been getting educated by these fine people.

I believe the Mega Ray is to be used as an all in one basking and UV bulb. They are Mercury Vapor Bulbs (MVB for short here on the forums). Be advised that there seems to be some quality control issues with these bulbs at the moment so that may be the issues you have been having with your Solar Glo as I just saw a post this morning on them being affected.

If you decide to switch up your lighting most people here on the forums recommend a Reptisun 10 bulb for UV exposure and then a basking bulb (any bulb that will give you 105D of heat in your basking area and 90 in the surrounding areas). Depending on your setup you could also use a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) if the cool side gets too cool or for night time heat.

Hope this clears things up a bit. I'm sure the experts will chime in with more advice and or correct any of mine that is not accurate.

Good Luck!

 

[diamc]

Vinnie, the MVB's do throw off heat and UV rays at the same time. I'm not sure what you read about "the site says it's not meant for heat purposes." Would you be able to post the info you read here? The Megaray had some issues that are currently being worked out. Now, the Solar Glo is having some issues too that you can read about here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=127476

It's hard for us to say what wattage basking bulb you would need if you're not using a MVB because it depends on the size of your tank, the height of the basking spot, your room temps and what temps you get inside the viv when using either an infrared temp gun or digital with probe thermometer.

The basking temp should be about 100 to 110 (but no higher) and the cool side 78 to 82 (with 80 being ideal). On the cool side, you can use a lower wattage household lightbulb to give off a little heat and light if needed. Most cool sides can be dark so just a little additional lighting there can also be projected by using a non-UVB fluorescent tube. For the basking bulb, you can also use a standard household lightbulb that gives you the correct temps. So, you do have some options.

 

[Vinnie223]

Here is what it says on the site, "Warning: Very Little Heat
This 60-watt energy-efficient bulb produces very little heat. Be sure your reptile is heated properly and if necessary, increase the heat at the basking spot using a good heat source like our Mega-Ray® Heat Projector. ALWAYS triple check the temperature at the basking spot - never risk burning your reptile." If you prefer a link I could do so no problem. I am currently using a 40 breeder, and is about 8" away from his basking spot as I think the bulb is dying and have a digital probe therometer. I dont use A/C just normal fans and his basking area is around 98-105F most of the time.