uv single light VS uv/bask light 2 in 1?

[Rani-May]

I was just wondering, and this being a uv light question will most likely be based on different opinions, but what do people think is better for blue tongues; a single lamp for uv lighting, or one of those 2 in 1 lights that is used for a basking heat spot as well as giving out uv? Ive heard the 2 in 1's do not give out the decent heat like a singular one would. But it would be handy if there wasnt a difference between the two options.
BTW i have a 4ft x 2ft open tank that is 20" high for now while my new bluey is a baby. just in case it would effect the 2 in 1 light if anyone knows much about them?

[NOP]

I use a 100w Zoo Med PowerSun Mercury Vapor Bulb which give a good amount of heat and uvb. They are a bit expensive and can only produce a reliable amount of Uvb for 6 months but they are nice i can keep temps of 95-100 on my basking spot at about 15 inches from the bulb. They come in 100w and a 160w so at 20 inch you could use a 100w and just elevate the basking spot a lil bit.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/rep ... eat-bulbs/

[Rani-May]

nice thank you, i have found one for $74AUD and its a 125watt. the other is 160watt for $85. thing is, im using a 150watt for her basking light now, so i was just a bit iffy about using only 125watts. but itd be much better than having 3 lamps for a uv light, bask light and night light all hanging around being all messy and what not haha

[justyna.ewa]

Jeez, you're fast, Rani-May XD

[Rani-May]

haha, yup, im eager to know so I can buy it straight away. plus im over tired, its 3:45am here :O

[justyna.ewa]

I will keep an eye on this thread as I want to know all the answers as well...

[Rani-May]

yeah I really am going to be thorough, asking on this forum, along with the pet store and my herp vet!

[Fatal_S]

Mercury Vapour Bulbs give off UVB for the life of the bulb, not just 6 months like regular UVB bulbs.

[Rani-May]

do you have any suggestions, or preferences Fatal?
I also found this along with the bulb I found, has anyone used/seen these ones before?

http://www.reptilesuppliesdirect.com.au ... 220-p-8279

[Fatal_S]

That's a MVB. I happen to really like MVBs, but they come with some restrictions. You need either no dome, or a wire-dome. A closed dome will overheat the bulb and it will stop working. The bulb needs lots of airflow around it. You cannot use a dimmer with a MVB. And with any UVB bulbs, make sure the reptile has a dark place to retreat to (think sunburns - you need to have shaded areas).

[justyna.ewa]

Fatal_S, I have a question in this vein:
If I have a 20" high terrarium and the bulb says it reaches 12", should I just place is on the side of the tank, so it shines in from the side, or suspended below the cover, or just above his basking spot?

[Rani-May]

oh wow, thank you I was thinking of putting it into my current clamp lamp i use for the basking spot, but now that i know that, i might as well just buy a singular uv light and another clamp lamp and just try to make it look roomy XD

[AnnaMonroe]

Fatal_S: I'm feeling nervous about your comment lol.
I have the ZooMed PowerSun 100W MVB bulb, and use the ZooMed Deep Dome Lamp Fixture with it.
I know plenty of others who do the same thing, especially since ZooMed stated the Deep Dome was absolutely perfect with their MVBs! Is what you're saying really true? I don't want my bulb to die :'{

[Fatal_S]

MVBs are self-ballasted. That means if they get too warm, they simply turn off (if a normal bulb is running too warm, it just goes ahead and keeps going until it explodes). Then they wait until they cool down and then turn back on. Repeated on/off is bad for the bulb. The airflow is to make sure they don't get too warm. In a cool room, or a room with a lot of airflow, the closed-dome may not hold enough heat to cause an issue. In my room, even the wire lamps don't work because my room has very little airflow and lots of bulbs spreading heat. Upstairs in my sisters room the MVBs work perfectly all the time. So if it's working in it's current dome and not turning itself off all the time, I probably wouldn't worry about it. The dome itself isn't the issue, it's just that the closed dome holds a lot more heat.

[AnnaMonroe]

That is very very very useful information, thank you so much!
My room isn't really that ventilated, so hopefully soon I can find a way to have good airflow in my room so my MVB doesn't die faster than it's supposed to LOL.

[Richard.C]

74 dollars for a light bulb ,sheesh,its debatable if skinks even get benefits from uv lighting,apparently the reflective nature of there scales deflects it

Personally i could think of better things to blow money on,eg dietry supplementation and a heck of alot of spare light bulbs from the hardware store,an accurate thermometer ect ect

If you are inclined to want to use uv lighting,look into a uv tube,especially in smaller cages and rooms that dont hold consistant temps,the mvb types dont like being hooked up to thermostats

[Rani-May]

thank you Richard I have the calcium supplement with D3, and I also take them outside in the sun every few days for half hour or so, I thought that was perfectly fine but then I have been reading so much about it also helps their metabolism, which I honestly thought the heat was what helped the metabolism. Ive never had any issues and my regular herp vet has never whispered a word about uv lighting. I might still ask him specifically. Also does anyone happen to know an Australian online store that sells frozen pinkies? Cant get them in pet stores here