I personally try to use both in my larger setup, the tubes have the benefit of letting the critter fully expose its body to UVB and different intensities of light, MVB’s tend to be able to provide just a focal point of “some heat” and some UVA.
The pros of a standard MVB stand as.
1. It provides a decent amount of UVB when set up appropriately.
2. It emits (some heat).
3. It can provide a focussed intense beam of light.
The cons of MVB
1. They emit a narrow wave length of UVB so are not very good for an elongate animal to get the full body underneath. They should be used with another source such as the Arcadia T5 lighting irrespective.
2. They do not emit enough heat to be used at the recommended UVB distances so need to be used in conjunction with another heat source.
3. They do not provide the day light spectrum of 6500k-7000k
Pros of the Arcadia T5 lamps.
1. They emit very good levels of UVB.
2. The iguana can get right under neath the lamp
3. They provide about 30% UVA.
4. They are flicker free
5. Offer some protection to water when fitted properly.
6. They emit some warmth surrounding the lamp.
7. Brilliant white visible light 7000k
8. They are easily distanced and setup.
9. They garuntee them for up to an entire year.
10. There are some reporte that these bulbs can last up to an entire year plus sometimes. (Solar meters are advised to check this otherwise play it safe)
Cons of the Arcadia T5 lamps.
1. They require a starter to kick start the lamp.
2. They are prone to electrical surges and faults so better put them in surge protectors.
3. They should be used with reflectors.
4. They must be used in conjunction with other heat bulbs. (This is the ball ache for me when attempting to mimic a true vertical gradient across 5-8ft of space (you probably should be better easier to accomodate this in a smaller enclosure.
This link explains UVB tube flourescents a little more indepth.
UV Lighting for Reptiles: Introduction to UVB Fluorescent Tubes
In my own opinion and experience I have found myself getting more and more frustrated with the whole lighting thing because it should really be looked at as a process rather than just a practice of one bulb over another.
They can all play a part in husbandry but it ultimately comes down to where you are at and what you want to see out of it.
In my largest vivs, I have something like MVBs, Jungle Dawns and T5 lighting going at once, (its frustrating because it costs more and I find myself running out of plug sockets faster)
That said, if you opt to go for the T5 you will still require some additional basking source, an MVB may provide this, but then standard R80 lamps or PAR38 can acheive the same.
The reason in my mind especially with my lizards as to why I use so many bulbs is quite simply it makes no difference what I am using alone, its not replicating sunlight in the true sense, (and I see HUGE) behaviour differences when exposing my animals to the outdoor enclosures in the summer months and to the trees. Id like to eventually see some product developed and designed that addresses all the spectrums/hear controlling nicely rolled into one plug socket that can just be fit to the roof of larger vivs but we will probably be waiting ages to see something like this emerge.
