Mvb

[Tyl3r]

Hi everyone,
I have a question about the MVB range.. I have been told by a reptile specialist shop in Sydney (of whom I can't remember the name sorry guys) that MVB's don't give enough UVA/UVB for Beardies? They said that they don't stock then anymore because of that reason, the lady that helped me said that they only produce small amounts of UVA/UVB light.

Would I be better off to just buy a basking light + 10%UV + ceramic heat emitter (for night time heat)? Or if I did get a MVB, where in the tank should it go?

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[Marzzy]

MVB are 10 times better then compact globes. They probably told you BS because there more expensive then compact globes and MVBs won't sell as much as there more expensive.

In MVB the UV rays penetrate down deeper and emit more powerful UV whilst also they provide heat. They also last a lot longer between 1-2years.


Point to remember

UV is filtered out if going through glass.
So place it in direct line or ontop of the enclosure with minimal objects in the projection of the light.

 

[BloodRunsCold]

I use mvb as a basking globe plus I have a uv tube for pyg beardy's

 

[lizardwhisperer]

I wouldn't believe much of anything told to you by know-nothing sales-staff in pet shops about reptile needs or reptile lighting and heating. Most of them know diddlelysquat.

Probably same goes for some owners of online shop too.

If anything MVBs produce more UV (A and B) UPCLOSE to the globe than beardies need. That is UPCLOSE. It's a focused beam of UV cf the internal reflective surface. Move outside the beam (you can google all this info yourself) and the UV falls away rapidly.

There is the possibillity that continuous use of MVBs will lead to blindness in reptiles as well.
(Been some discussion of this issue on other herp boards.)

Plus if for some reason the MVB's powersupply is cut off (a black or brown out) even for a few seconds , don't expect the MVB to come back on like an ordinary spot or lamp, the circuitry inside must cool off (a lot) before the MVB will restart. So you could come home to find all your MVB's off and cold even if everything else is working.

 

[reptalica]

Hi everyone,
I have a question about the MVB range.. I have been told by a reptile specialist shop in Sydney (of whom I can't remember the name sorry guys) that MVB's don't give enough UVA/UVB for Beardies? They said that they don't stock then anymore because of that reason, the lady that helped me said that they only produce small amounts of UVA/UVB light.

Would I be better off to just buy a basking light + 10%UV + ceramic heat emitter (for night time heat)? Or if I did get a MVB, where in the tank should it go?

Thanks,
Tyler

Whoever that lady was at the pet shop tell her she has No idea. Little to no UVA/UVB huh? Maybe the brands they stock r el cheapo no name types.

Go back and ask her what she based her "informed" decision on.

I use Mega Ray MVB's. Have done so for 5-6 years and will continue to. Period.

 

[Tyl3r]

Ok, thank you guys Should I have the MVB in the middle of the tank or the 'hot' side? Also, how far away should I have it so I don't blind my Pygmy Beardies (when I get them of course)?

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[Tyl3r]

Plus if for some reason the MVB's powersupply is cut off (a black or brown out) even for a few seconds , don't expect the MVB to come back on like an ordinary spot or lamp, the circuitry inside must cool off (a lot) before the MVB will restart. So you could come home to find all your MVB's off and cold even if everything else is working.

So are you saying that if I run it on a thermostat it will have to be a dimming thermostat?

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[Simon_Archibald]

MVBs can not run on a thermostat and should not be used in closed in enclosures.

 

[Tyl3r]

So if I used in a glass enclosure it should be fine? As long as some heat stays in the tank to keep the Beardy warm of course

 

[lizardwhisperer]

MVBs can not run on a thermostat and should not be used in closed in enclosures.

Why not (MVBs in closed in enclosures) ?

 

[Simon_Archibald]

Well, more specifically in small closed in enclosures, because of the heat build up.

 

[B_STATS]

MVBs are the twisty globes right? I heard they were bad too.

 

[Tyl3r]

I am planning to build a rack system similar to the photo bellow, which will only have room for the following ventilation:
1. 1 side vent with 2 back vents
2. 2 back vents, 1 at the bottom left, the other on the top right. They will be off centre to help cycle to hot and cool air.
3. 6 small circle vents the side

If I went with the first or second option the vents would be 16cm x 8.5cm in size but if I went with the third option the vents would only have a diameter of 5cm.

It will hold 6 enclosures, all will be 120cm x 60cm x 60cm.

Will a MVB be suitable for each enclosure?

What ventilation would be advised, 1st, 2nd or 3rd option?

Would it be better off just to get 1 basking light + 1 UVA/UVB compact globe + 1 moonlight globe (for night time heating)?
I can't have ventilation on both sides of the enclosure.
View attachment 291415

 

[littlemay]

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/herp-help-38/mercury-vapour-globes-questions-81981/

Have a read, MV globes put out serious amounts of heat

 

[Tyl3r]

I think I am just going to stick to 1 basking light + 1 UVA/UVB compact globe + 1 moonlight globe. Then I know the temps will stay ok.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[lizardwhisperer]

MVBs are the twisty globes right? I heard they were bad too.

The twisty ones are COMPACT FLUOROS , they come in 2%, 5% and 10% UVB (and some produce the same amount of UVA and UVB - or so are the claims of the sellers).

The twisty globes are fine. Only some are cheap chinese clones of brand names (or so say those who sell the Brand Named versions that cost more to buy).

 

[lizardwhisperer]

I am planning to build a rack system similar to the photo bellow, which will only have room for the following ventilation:
1. 1 side vent with 2 back vents
2. 2 back vents, 1 at the bottom left, the other on the top right. They will be off centre to help cycle to hot and cool air.
3. 6 small circle vents the side

If I went with the first or second option the vents would be 16cm x 8.5cm in size but if I went with the third option the vents would only have a diameter of 5cm.

It will hold 6 enclosures, all will be 120cm x 60cm x 60cm.

Will a MVB be suitable for each enclosure?

What ventilation would be advised, 1st, 2nd or 3rd option?

Would it be better off just to get 1 basking light + 1 UVA/UVB compact globe + 1 moonlight globe (for night time heating)?
I can't have ventilation on both sides of the enclosure.
View attachment 291415

I've read that you'll need a minimum height of 600mm for MVBs (100W) , not sure about the higher wattage versions.

The last option will be fine (and cheaper), substitute a CHE or heatpad or the moonlight to give some nighttime heating.

 

[Bushfire]

I think the heat output of MVBs are abit over rated but then my main use for them was with monitors. In a 4ft sliding glass melamine cage with only light ventilation, to get to 65+*C on the basking spot I had to lower the bulb to within 12cm of the tile. At this distance I was well within the safety distance for the UV. The main brands used to be excellent for monitors till they stopped having the clear face and went to a frosted look face.

 

[Rogue5861]

I think the heat output of MVBs are abit over rated but then my main use for them was with monitors. In a 4ft sliding glass melamine cage with only light ventilation, to get to 65+*C on the basking spot I had to lower the bulb to within 12cm of the tile. At this distance I was well within the safety distance for the UV. The main brands used to be excellent for monitors till they stopped having the clear face and went to a frosted look face.

Most MVB's are reccomended to be minimum distance of 15cm from animal and maximum of 60cm, this is to stop issues with high uva/uvb that could cause damage to your reptile (eye damage, cancers ect). For most dragons a distance of around 35cm gives a hot spot around 42c.

MVB's produce alot of radiant heat throughout an enclosure, if the enclosure was 1200x600x600 a fully vented back would probably be more suitable then a few 40mm vents. Its really trial an error but enclosures with screen tops work well with mvb's.


Rick

 

[dragonlover1]

Okay Tyl3r,I have read all the posts here and some are close and some have bits and pieces that are right,here is my setup;
My pygmies are in 120x60x60 with 2x75w basking lamps plus a 2' 5UVB flouro tube.View attachment 291429
I built 120x60x70 for my centrals to lift the MVB (44cm from base of globe to sand)View attachment 291430,with a MVB I only use a standard 2' flouro because MVB provides all the heat plus all the UVA/UVB required.The flouro is only to add extra light for the rest of the tank.
I use 30x12 vents in both ends low on the hot end,high on the cool end.
This seems to work well, I know it seems complicated as there is so much info out there including a lot of wrong info so I hope this helps you.