i am planing on getting a dragon and been looking into getting the set-up together. i have found a viv and think its big enough but not sure i am only getting one as i have no desire to breed and can't see me changing my mind in the next few yrs lol

Beech Vivarium 48x15x18in

i was wondering if i could use a MVB instead of a uvb and a heat bulb so one instead of two this one:

Exo Terra SolarGlo Mercury Vap Lamp 125W PT2192

in my opinion this is too small for a MVB bulb i recommend 48 x 24 x 24 for any of the bulbs i sell i have seen them used in a 48 x 18 x 18 before but the person cut a hole in the top of the viv and added allot of ventilation the bulbs i sell the 100w needs to be at least 12 inches from the reptile any closer and it may cause harm, these bulbs are also quite big in my vivs the basking spot is only 4inches high to allow 12 inches between the bulb and the reptile.

Graeme

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Check out my web shop www.rachelsreptiles.co.uk selling the cheapest Mega-ray bulbs in the UK

pm me if you require any more help

Graeme

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Check out my web shop www.rachelsreptiles.co.uk selling the cheapest Mega-ray bulbs in the UK

its ok i was going to use a heat bulb as well as a uvb but thought this one did the job in one light but will get the both. that means i guess i'll need some kind of timer on the uvb, is there any other bulb i could use other than a tube

some people use compacts i have never used them but i have heard that they aren't great.

Graeme

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Check out my web shop www.rachelsreptiles.co.uk selling the cheapest Mega-ray bulbs in the UK

if its a bearded dragon your after then i use a powersun for mine but you MUST make sure the face of the lamp hangs no closer than 14" to a 160w and idealy you need a solarmeter (can be rented) just to double check your output. and there is also some debate about using mercury lamps with snow/leucistics as they have less ressistanceto any side effects. most people suggest using two tubes in a reflector hood as they are seen as safer output levels.

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I too have read that the compact 10% bulbs are not good. I use powersun and didn't know until today that you had to have 12" difference between bulb and reptile, will be changing that first thing tomorrow! Can't believed I missed that, feeling guilty :0(

there is a uv guide on the net that gives FAB info on every uv light commonly available. tells you all you need to know about safety and health risks of each type. also the useable outputs and expected lifetime.

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did it not say on the box?

As for a MVB in a 4x18x15 viv, although I think this viv is too small for a bearded dragon adult, you could use a 60watt externally ballasted megaray available from Kimbos Reptile World | Supplies | Equipment | Housing | Lighting | Cleaning - Hygiene | Suffolk | Ipswich however this would mean to have the bulb inside the viv and still at the recomended 12 inch distance you couldnt have a basking platform built up to any real level at all.

I would go for a 3 foot zoomed reptisun 10% tube in a viv that size with a bog standard household 60watt reflector lamp for a basking bulb.

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Joan was quizzical, studied pataphysical
Science in the home
Late nights all alone with her a test tube
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Maxwell Edison, majoring in medicine
Calls her on the phone
"Can I take you out to the pictures Jo-o-o-oan?"
But as she's getting ready to go
A knock comes on the door

Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
came down upon her head
Clang! Clang! Maxwell's silver hammer
made sure that she was dead

Back in school again Maxwell plays the fool again
Teacher gets annoyed
Wishing to avoid and unpleasant scene-e-e-ene
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away
So he waits behind
Writing fifty times "I must not be so-o-o-o
But when she turns her back on the boy
He creeps up from behind

I'm sure it did say on the box, I'm one of those stupid people who tend not to read instructions, won't be doing it again!!