Other Turtle Discussion :: YEAH! I got my 1st MVB today!!!

[camee1991]

Im so excited! It is sooo bright! Its a 100W T-Rex Powersun MVB. Anyone have one of these? Are they good?

Im still trying to figure out how far away to put it..right now its about 11 inches away, is that ok? Dont wanna burn her or anything. Its just so strange having just 1 bulb for everything!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Good for you! My turtle loves her MVB light (basks daily for many hours) & I think your turtle will too! Is yours a spot or a flood lamp?

[camee1991]

Its a flood. I read that was "better" than a spot lamp. Is almost a foot enough away from her? I feel the heat; but she dont feel too hot. !?

[PinkyTurtle]

Neato, does that provide both uvb and uva rays?

[steve]

Neato, does that provide both uvb and uva rays?

Yes.

camee1991, have that bulb pointed straight down if possible.

[DavidY]

11 inches is too close. The instructions say to position it at least 12" away from the animal because of the intensity of the UV radiation. I have mine almost 20" from my basking area. Make sure to use a thermometer to check the temp of the basking dock.

[Kallistos]

Keep adjusting it until you get the temperature about 10 degrees higher than the water temperature. The MVB's are quite powerful so 11 inches seems a little too close. Just keep adjusting the distance until you get the correct temperature.

[camee1991]

Ok. I got it about 13" away and Tobi LOVES it and it drying off well and basking like nuts although her shell doesnt even feel warm?! Not like with the house bulb... So...I suppose this is ok? The deal is we dont want to burn the turts right? So if thats all...she sure isnt burning, just basking away!
And I have it as straight down as I can get it
(I think if I had to get it 10 degrees higher than the water I would have to measure quite a bit further up and not on the dock... since she likes it and it isnt hot, Im gonna figure its ok?)

[DavidY]

Well, temperature heat is one thing to be careful of, but the reason why the manufacturer warns against putting it closer than 12" to the animal is because of the UV radiation. Even though it's levels are not as intense as natural sunlight at noon time, the sun does not stay at noon day height for hours at a time. Nor do animals in the wild always get a cloudless noon day sun to bask under every single day. The danger is the damage the radiation will cause to exposed tissue at the levels that are generated by the bulb.

[camee1991]

Ohhhhhhh -K! I didnt realize that! Thanx David. U B Smart

Ok...a question...since I have it a least a foot away and the "heat" doesnt make her shell hot or the basking area too hot...should I think of moving it even farther back for the UV radiation not to bother her? Or do you think its ok now??? (I dont want her to freeze) (you know what I mean...)

[iac637]

ok question I can not seem to find a MVB bulb anywhere can anyone help with where they get one.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I think most people order them online. Try www.bigalsonline.com or www.drsfosterandsmith.com

[camee1991]

I got mine at 4littlepets.com for 39.95 and they ship fast too and have the "veggie clips" too!
Its a Gr-8 store!!!

[iac637]

They don't just have them in the store:(

[camee1991]

Not that I have seen, but at 4littlepets..they are at least 10.00 cheaper than the other stores. Search for Powersun.