First Beardie Questions - Page 2

Abraxxos · 08-19-13, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

You need to find out exactly what the minimum distance should be from the surface of the bulb to the surface of the animal. I`ve been using MVB`s for many years, if the manufacturers instructions are not followed precisely they can cause serious burns (the info should be in the instructions that came with the bulb).
The bulb looked to be on a slight angle, if that`s the case it shortens the life of it considerably, it needs to be hanging straight down.

I am actually not at my house right now because I'm with my sister looking for those... hook screw things so I can properly hang and lift the light.

Abraxxos · 08-20-13, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

You need to find out exactly what the minimum distance should be from the surface of the bulb to the surface of the animal. I`ve been using MVB`s for many years, if the manufacturers instructions are not followed precisely they can cause serious burns (the info should be in the instructions that came with the bulb).
The bulb looked to be on a slight angle, if that`s the case it shortens the life of it considerably, it needs to be hanging straight down.

Okay it's a Solar Glo from exo-terra. It says a min of 12 inches however I'm going to leave it mounted an inch above the screen. 12 inches? At 12 inches my temp is at 88 degrees. Not 90. Not 95. And certainly not over 100 or any where near 110. I'm getting a nice gradient from one end of the tank to the other. Call it a bad decision if you will, but I'm going to let the dragon decide. I have multiple breeders at the con who were telling me it was fine to let them within 12 inches of it because if they weren't comfortable they'd move so...

Like I said, 12 inches is giving me a surface temp of less than 90 and an ambient air temp of 81. That's not hot enough. If you have a better solution, please tell.

murrindindi · 08-20-13, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxxos

Okay it's a Solar Glo from exo-terra. It says a min of 12 inches however I'm going to leave it mounted an inch above the screen. 12 inches? At 12 inches my temp is at 88 degrees. Not 90. Not 95. And certainly not over 100 or any where near 110. I'm getting a nice gradient from one end of the tank to the other. Call it a bad decision if you will, but I'm going to let the dragon decide. I have multiple breeders at the con who were telling me it was fine to let them within 12 inches of it because if they weren't comfortable they'd move so...

Like I said, 12 inches is giving me a surface temp of less than 90 and an ambient air temp of 81. That's not hot enough. If you have a better solution, please tell.

Hi again, whatever the "multiple breeders" tell you, the dragon needs to be a MINIMUM of 30cm (12 inches) from the surface of the MVB. As far as you saying you`ll let the dragon decide, that`s ridiculous, YOU are responsible for providing the safest, most supportive conditions, the animal has no say in the matter, it will bask under the bulb no matter how close it may be, completely unaware of the danger.
These bulbs are for use in relatively large enclosures, not tiny fishtanks such as this. (No disrespect, I`m try to offer some reliable info)!

Abraxxos · 08-20-13, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi again, whatever the "multiple breeders" tell you, the dragon needs to be a MINIMUM of 30cm (12 inches) from the surface of the MVB. As far as you saying you`ll let the dragon decide, that`s ridiculous, YOU are responsible for providing the safest, most supportive conditions, the animal has no say in the matter, it will bask under the bulb no matter how close it may be, completely unaware of the danger.
These bulbs are for use in relatively large enclosures, not tiny fishtanks such as this. (No disrespect, I`m try to offer some reliable info)!

I understand you're just trying to convey information. No offense taken.

However, these are people breeding them. Lots of them. In these conditions and they have no problems with the beardies they have. Moving the bulb away gives me insufficient heat. If a bulb supposedly so powerful can't even heat up a 20 gallon tank how could it ever manage heating a larger tank? My beardie needs temps over 90. 12 inches isn't going to give me temps over 90. If there is a better bulb I can use, please tell. Apparently the bulb I have bought won't be good enough which is annoying considering the money paid for it. I have a 75 watt basking bulb a third of this size that at 20 inches gives me heat spots of 110. Shame it isn't a UVB or I'd switch to using that bulb.

And this isn't me ignoring a problem. This is me realizing that dealing with one problem is creating another one I still don't have any ideas on fixing..

murrindindi · 08-20-13, 04:51 PM

It doesn`t matter whether the people breeding them tell you the dragon can move as close to the MVB as it wants, you need to follow the manufacturers instructions, THEY know what`s best/safest! I believe this enclosure is far too small for this bulb, as I`ve already said.
The main problem you have with getting the temps up is that the MVB is outside the enclosure with screen between it and the basking site, in effect much of the heat`s lost to the room, and if the holes in the screen are less than 1/4 inch much of the UVB`s blocked, too!

I haven`t used that particular brand myself, so I`m not sure of the precise details on minimum enclosure size, but these instructions are for the "Powersun" MVB`s:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6...c7a45d86_z.jpg

Abraxxos · 08-20-13, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

It doesn't matter whether the people breeding them tell you

Really? Because considering they've been keeping them and breeding them successfully for years... I sort of have to think that y'know, just maybe they know what they're talking about. Sorry but what are the problems of having them this close? Do you know? I don't. There doesn't seem to be any problems. I'm not saying there aren't problems, I'm just saying I've been talking to people who have had them and didn't have problems with this. Is there a bulb that can do what I want and need it to do that you recommend?

Edit: I'm also not entirely sure this is an MVB. Would MVB be written somewhere on here. I read that MVB do heat, UVB and UVA... This box says nothing about UVA

murrindindi · 08-20-13, 05:13 PM

The Exo-Terra 125 and 160w bulbs ARE MVB`s.
Incubating Bearded dragon eggs has nothing to do with knowing the minimum distance a particular MVB needs to be from an animal!

You can accept or reject my advise and the advise from one MVB manufacturer that I`ve shown, the responsibility for this animal is all yours.
When you say you cannot get the temp over 90f which temp is that, ambient or surface?
EDIT: The problem with having them closer than the recommended distances is that the intense heat and light will probably cause serious burns.

Abraxxos · 08-20-13, 05:29 PM

Here ya go

Quote:

12 inches is giving me a surface temp of less than 90 and an ambient air temp of 81. That's not hot enough. If you have a better solution, please tell.

smy_749 · 08-20-13, 05:31 PM

Wasn't abraxxos banned? O.o

Abraxxos · 08-20-13, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Wasn't abraxxos banned? O.o

It was a requested temp ban, actually. I'm super, thanks for asking. ^_^

SKYlord · 08-20-13, 08:57 PM

Yes, I'm sure you requested it with all of the swearing you did.

smy_749 · 08-20-13, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKYlord

Yes, I'm sure you requested it with all of the swearing you did.

lol thats what I was thinking.

Abraxxos · 08-20-13, 09:00 PM

Believe whatever you wish. Either way it's too insignificant to make any difference. I'm here now. Stay on topic ^_^

Lankyrob · 08-21-13, 03:38 AM

We used to use a 125w MVB in a 4x2x2 foot vivarium and it gave us surface temps of 140f, i am estimating that the bulb was approx 18inches from the substrate.

murrindindi · 08-21-13, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

We used to use a 125w MVB in a 4x2x2 foot vivarium and it gave us surface temps of 140f, i am estimating that the bulb was approx 18inches from the substrate.

Hi, the OP has his bulb outside with screen between it and the animal, it`s hardly surprising much of the heat is lost to the room the tank`s in. With a solid top (I presume yours was?) it means you have a "self contained" environment for the most part, and it`s much easier to control the conditions. Unfortunately the OP`s current fishtank is much too small to be using a MVB anyway.