Habitat - Indoor :: UVB news I would like to share...

[SliderGirl]

I went to the vet today because our little Splat showed early signs of MBD.
Our vet told us there was a recent study published in a vet journal that verified most UVB bulbs out there on the market had suboptimal output. (we're talking Reptisun and those tube shaped bulbs, etc.) She said the study showed Mercury Vapor Bulbs provide the best/optimal source of UVB. (I think the journal she referred to was Exotic Animal DVM Journal?)
She reminded us that no matter how much calcium your RES gets, it does NOTHING for them if you don't have adequate UVB.

[Dillon]

Glad to know, im so glad that i went with my instinct and bought a MVB...I always thought those little 26 Watt lights wouldnt be sufficient..

By the way is splat ok!?

What symptoms was she showing, and what light were you using? Im just really curious!

Thanks for posting this piece of info.

[SliderGirl]

Thanks for asking about Splat. This afternoon she received shots of calcium and D3 and we're going back on Thursday for a follow-up. It's too soon to expect improvement but we're keeping our fingers crossed.
We were using a Reptisun 5.0, 18 inch. Tossing it!!
The signs. My husband puts it perfectly - it's as if your active playful toddler has turned into an old man. Splat loved to swim all over the place and she ate with such vigor. Now, all she does is bask bask bask and her little head at times will hang limp outside her shell. She doesn't eat. We didn't realize it but her shell is pyramiding. That is, her shell has rising sections as opposed to being smooth. I was never alarmed by her shell shape earlier -- I thought because she was female the shape was normal. (they say females are more "domed") She also has white ridges between the sections. I hope your turtles will never be afflicted with this.

[focus12221]

How many watts should a mvb be? (about 8in away)

[octpusgirl8]

8 inches is too close for a MVB. They should be kept a minimum of 12" away. A 100W flood is what most people use.

[SpotsMama]

Anything stronger than a 100W flood is too strong. And don't try a spot light (as opposed to a flood) either - it's also too strong.

My turtle absolutely loves to bask under his T Rex 100 Watt flood MVB by the way. He basks better than he ever has before.

[Dillon]

The only thing im going to add about the mercury vapor bulbs is be very careful about the basking temperature...these things get HOT, dont wanna hurt your little guy...minimum of 12" away...buy a dig. thermometer.

[marisa]

I think what wattage one uses depends in part on the temp of the room the tank is in and the size of the tank. I use 160-watt MVBs for my Eastern painteds, who are in a cool basement and for my RES, who's in a room that's also fairly cool.

For a 100-watt MVB you really shouldn't have it less than 12 inches from your basking turtle, and you should check the temp just to make sure that 12-inch distance isn't to warm.

[SpotsMama]

Marisa, do you use Powersuns or T Rex bulbs? Or something else?

[SliderGirl]

Yes our vet said we should get a 100 watt mvb. We have now a Sunforce bulb (hope that's a good brand - please let me know otherwise). The insert tells us that the minimum recommended distance from the mvb to your turtle should be 12 inches when the bulb is placed above a screen. This should increase to 18 when a screen is not utilized. I have noticed that when the turtles get on the dock they jump off. I think it's too hot so I'll check it with a thermometer. We have a dimmer switch and we used that with a UVA bulb, but I find it doesn't work with MVB. When you adjust the dimmer, the MVB shuts off completely.
Oh I am thrilled to tell you Splat is doing so well and she appears to be back to normal. Swimming and eating! But I won't cancel our Thurs appointment. We may not be out of the woods yet.

[Dillon]

glad to hear that Splat is doing better!!

[N4784N R4613]

Yes, the MVB's need "full power" to operate properly. As soon as you try to "dim them," they have a fail safe that will shut them off.

[erinemcgreevy]

Since this light is so hot can I replace the basking bulb with it?

[SpotsMama]

Yes - with an MVB you only need one bulb - it produces heat, UVB and UVA.

[DavidY]

I wonder what's going to happen in 2012 when the federal gov't finally phases out incandescent light bulbs. I suppose they'll still allow specialty bulbs for specific uses, but no doubt they're going to cost a lot more money by then.