Mercury Vapor Bulb Question

[CherryBP]

Its getting close to when I have to get a new Mercury Vapor bulb for my Beardy. I wanted to know the most affordable/most reliable bulb there is. I want the very best for my Beardy and the best health for him. Thanks for any input.

[SatanicIntention]

www.reptileuv.com

I've heard very good reviews. The others are just too overpriced and don't last nearly as long.

[CherryBP]

where do you think I could find there products? If they sell them on their website i must have missed it.

[Crazydude]

http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-products.php

On the left side, click on the different tabs, There is the Sb, and Eb. Once on the products invidual page, there is all the info in the world about it, and under a picture is a add to cart option, shipping should be $10.

The SB is just a scew in bulb, and works great, has heat and UVB. There is the 100 watt and 160, the 100 watt needs to be 12" away from the beardie at all times (or more, thats the closest it should be), and the 160 watt 18" away (thats the closest). These last 6+ months and are the strongest bulb on the market.

The EB is the same strength as the SB, but its 60 watt and needs to be 12" away, and produces very little heat, It has a ballast that it plugs into, just like what some florecent lights have, the little box on the cord that gets very hot. These last alot longer as they are a different design, and can last 12-18 months.

With both of these you may need to add an extra heat bulb to adjust the temps, expecially with the EB. You want to be able to use another light to raise them, not be too high so consider that, and consider the height of your enclosure and where you mount it, if inside the bulb is 6" or so deep, so take that into accoundability to give the right basking spot. Also with these though they have intense light in a area, the rest of the enclosure may be dull, so adding a bright white (High LUX, high CRI ) florecent bulb thats NOT Uvb should brighten the tank up and the extra bright light really does seem to help the dragons and makes a big differenfe in things like activity, appitite ext. Beardies thrive in bright white light,

Your other option is a T-rex active Uv heat, these are the same exact bulbs as the Mega-Ray SB's, same company ext. But can be bought at a petstore under the T-rex name. same things as above apply.

Make sure with these bulbs the calcium you are giving does not have vitamin D3, as the bulbs allow the dragon to produce enough of its own. You can order rep-cal without D3 on reptileuv.com if you need it.

Both these bulbs are the strongest on the market, and are great, but you may need aditional bright white light, and a larger enclosure. Anyway, They are the ones to get.

[CherryBP]

WOW, thanks for all the info! That was not expected, but was appreciated! What would reccomend for an adult Beardie in a 40 Gallon breeder?
Again, thanks for all the info

[Crazydude]

If the bulb is on top of the tank, wether clipped on, or on a light stand, or on a screen, and the basking spot is no higher then 4-5" off the ground id say a 100 watt SB, or 60 watt EB. I had a 100 watt T-rex (same as mega-ray SB) in a 40 breeder and then a florecent bulb (non-uvb), got perfect temps and lighting, but didnt allow much climbing.

You can always pick up a light stand like they sell at every petstore in the reptile section to raise the bulb up a few inches to allow a taller basking spot, and have some climbing on the cool side.

It really depends on alot of things, best bet would be to get a 60 watt EB, then if needed add another lightbulb to raise the temps, but a 100 watt will probably work fine as long as the household temps dont jump above 80ish.

[CherryBP]

Thanks ALOT Crazydude! So far, I think I need,

60watt EB
Calcium w/o D3

his basking spot is halfway up in the cage, but can be lowered.
Did I miss something?