Habitat - Indoor :: Can i use an MVB?

[octpusgirl8]

Here is my setup:

It's a 40 gal breeder tank. I have the lamp for the heat bulb hanging from the ceiling and the UVB lamp is clamped to the side. I was thinking how nice it would be to have just one lamp, so much less cluttered looking. I could easily adjust how far it is from his basking area since it would be hanging from a chain. The only thing is, i've read that they should only be used for 50 gal and up. So what do you all think? Would an MVB be good in my tank or would it be overkill?

[jenaero]

I used an mvb bulb with my 40 gal breeder and it was fine. I kept a close eye on the basking temp tho.

[N4784N R4613]

Just make sure you get the 100 watt FLOOD! If you get the spot it will need to be kept nearly THREE FEET AWAY from the basking spot!! The 160 watts are just overkill. And as stated above, make sure your not overheating the basking spot. The ramp you have now can be easily melted by a MVB if put to close. So good luck, and I hope you and your turtles enjoy the benefits of a MVB!

[DavidY]

Yea I use a 100w flood over my 40 gal right now. Like everyone else said, after you set it up, check the basking temp closely. Oh yea, MVB bulbs take about 100hrs to burn in properly. During that time, it may put out a little more UV than normal, so if your turtles are really small, you should keep the bulb a little higher at first, then lower it after about 10 days until you get the optimal basking temp. I don't think it's anything to get anxious about, just keep it in mind and watch your turtles during the first week or two after you add the MVB.

[octpusgirl8]

Sounds good, i think i'll be getting one in the near future. My turtle isn't small, he's about 5-6 in (shell length), but i will be careful and keep it a little farther away for a bit, i don't want a repeat of the eye problems he had after i got a reptisun 10.0 and put it too close to him. I still feel soooo guilty about that (i'm sorry Turtley!). I'll be sure to get the 100w flood too, don't want to bake my little buddy. Thanks for the advice!

[industrial_girl_2000]

100W flood is what I have & it works great. It never heats up the basking area too much.

[octpusgirl8]

Wow i'm all excited now, i love getting new and fancy things for my precious little Turtley (although my bank account isn't so happy with it...)

[iac637]

WE know what you mean!!!!!!!!!

[Tertule]

As my 68 year old finance teacher says..."If you want expensive toys and your regular job can't pay for them, GET A PAAAHHHHHHT TIME JAAAHHHHHB people!" (He's from BAAAAHHHHSTIN) It's hilarious to watch an old man get irate about the world today.

I'm not saying you should go out and get a job, I just thought it would be funny to pass on that little anecdote.

[octpusgirl8]

Ah yeah i have two part time jobs already, still working on getting that degree, i'm not loving school but it's gotta be done! I am looking into selling some of my art though to help fund my turtle endeavors, so we'll see how that goes. And yes i do love old man rants, there's always a few nuggets of really good advice in there somewhere!

[iac637]

yeah.... I need another full time job for ours.......... I understand the School think you have to finish up thats what I tell Tertule all the time.

[marisa]

I have a 100-watt MVB over the basking area in a 40-gallon stock tank and have had no problems with it. A glass tank might trap more heat (the stock tank has a bigger surface area), so keep an eye on the temp if you use one in your tank.

[octpusgirl8]

Thanks, i will, when i get it i'll install it in the morning on a day where i'll be around the house all day, so that i can monitor the temps and whatnot. I'm hoping since it's a breeder tank and therefore has more surface area it won't heat the water too much.