As i said this was an independent report and i quoted a bit of it on the 60-watt Mega Ray which is what people are buying and the manufacturer states that it is only for very large enclosures!! This report did not mention any kind of hobby version!!!

I still believe they are not safe for the size of tortoise tables that most people own!! i am thinking of the well being of the torts here, i'm not trying to upset anyones profit margin by doing this!

As you are avertising them in your banner, i can see where you are coming from, but safety should come first and until i can find a inderpendent report that says they are ok to use, i will carry on with my Powersun bulb!!

I am always open to new ideas that are better than the old ones but only when have been fully tried and tested over a long period of time!!

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They have been fully tested, in the USA where they have been available for a long time.

There's nothing essentially different about these bulbs than the ones you are using already, if the MegaRays worry you then you should stop using Powersuns too, or any other brand of MVB!

You can read an independent review of MegaRay bulbs here http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercvapourn...tileuvmegarays, both the larger internally ballasted models and the externally ballasted 60W version.
They also mention the special Zoo model which the review you quoted earlier relates to.

Sorry if I have missed something but what makes you think they are unsafe?

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

If anything the 60W MegaRays are safer than other MVBs because, as the UVGuide report states, the bulbs have no incandescent filament and actually produce less heat than a regular 60w lamp, so much so that in some cases the addition of a conventional basking lamp may be neccessary to achieve a high enough temperature.

Any perceived "danger" with these lamps is simply based on a misunderstanding of the way they work I'm afraid, nothing more.

Hi,

This bit of the report;

Mega-Ray 60-watt lamp has been designed for use in very large reptile enclosures.
The manufacturer STATES that the lamp will only be sold to zoos, Herpetologists or individuel hobbyists who own
a UVB meter and sale of each lamp needs to be phone call confirmed.
The instructions state that the minimum distance at which the lamp should be used is 36 inches.

it seems to me that they are just unsuitable for most of the tables that people use as they are not large enough for this type of bulb, i would rather be over cautious when dealing with anything with this type of UV levels, i would like to research further and find a independent which does clearly state it is safe for smaller enclosures and at the moment i have not found one the only one i have found gives those clear instructions that you see in the above quote!! I have said i'm all for new, i just want to make sure its safe and that can only come through time and a lot more research!!

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Mollbags, have you read the UVGuide report which says exactly that?

You are confusing the two different versions of the bulb, the professional zoo version which the report you are quoting refers to, and the hobby version which has been available in US reptile stores for several years for use by amateur keepers.

Out of interest where did you find that report, can you post a link to it, or the URL?

Been trying to post the link but the site seems to have problems and i does not work, will try tomorrow hopefuly by then it will be working!!

It does not mention a hobby version! and any other reports i can find that say they are ok are by the very people who sell them, so i don't trust the view of someone who has something to gain!!

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If there is more than one type of the 60 watt Mega-Ray can you give a link, cos all i am coming up with is this report that shows it is not safe for small enclosures and i would be more than happy to learn!

The link is now working here is the report i have read and this is same site that helped me decide to use Powersun so i do trust this site, when clicking on the link just keep scroll down as it on the first page;
High UVB Mercury Vapour Lamps in Zoos - Osram Ultra-Vitalux - ReptileUV Zoo Mega-Ray test results

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The link I posted earlier UV Lighting for Reptiles: Mercury Vapour Lamps is to exactly that! It's on the same site as the report you're quoting, and it specifically says that they are suitable for small enclosures because they give off less heat, they are referring to the hobby version of the bulb.

The report you are quoting specifically refers to the professional Zoo version of the lamp, look it says it right there in the page title...

"High UVB Mercury Vapour Lamps in Zoos.....ReptileUV Zoo Mega-Ray test results"

And in the text of the report it specifically refers to the "ReptileUV Zoologist Mega-Ray", and it even mentions the hobby versions of the lamps for use at distances of 12"-24", all you have to do is read the very report you're quoting and it's right there in plain English, it could hardly be clearer.

Now go back to the same site and read this report on the hobby version of the Mega-Ray UV Lighting for Reptiles: Mercury Vapour Lamps

I would agree with Graham that the megarays are completely safe and most likely the way to go from now on. Many experienced, responsible keepers use them and had I not still been using my existing supply of Powersun I would be too by now, judging by the reports and recommendations

__________________
Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com