Equipment Review and Discussion :: Zoo Med Powersun

[sai_dee]

I'm planning to use a single Powersun bulb for the basking light.
Is it good enough?

[steve]

It's a MVB, so it would be the only bulb you need (for UVA, UVB and heat). I would look at other MVBs, the Powersun doesn't have the greatest reputation.

The T-Rex Active Heat and the Mega-Ray are highly regarded.

[sai_dee]

Thanks Steve. I can't find the Mega-Ray anywhere but i'll pick up the Active Heat series.

Just curious, what's wrong with Powersun?

[steve]

The Mega-Ray can only be found here: http://www.reptileuv.com/

There's nothing "wrong" with the Powersun, but people generally have had better results with the T-Rex. I haven't tried the Powersun, so I can't add any first-hand experience with it but a good deal of people on this site use the T-Rex. Make sure you get the "Flood" type, not the "Spot".

[DavidY]

I've used both in the past and the Powersun was fine (didn't notice any problems and the reptiles love to bask under it) but I do notice that the T-Rex Active Heat bulb seems sturdier and brighter (and all my reptiles seem to like it too).

[SpotsMama]

I've used both bulbs (100 watt flood bulbs) and Spot basks much more under the t rex. It seems to be stronger. I had trouble getting the basking area warm enough with the powersun - to get to the ideal temperature it would have had to be too close so in the end the basking area was a little cooler than Spot likes. I think another person on the forum uses a Powersun along with an incandescent bulb and that seems to work, but then you're back to a two bulb setup.

[sai_dee]

I'm picking up a T-Rex Active Heat flood off Ebay, what wattage should I get for a 40 gallon breeder tank?

[SpotsMama]

100 watt flood is the maximum you would ever want.