Habitat - Indoor :: ENOUGH HEAT FROM NEW MVB?

[adam85491]

Well, I thought that a silver/aluminum one would heat up an area faster and in turn increase the amount of UVB rays. Since it does increase the rays, would that mean a weaker/cheaper bulb, like 3%, put in a reflective fixture would still give a turtle the proper amount of UVB?

[marisa]

Heat isn't connected to UVB rays. The aluminum/silver just reflects the UVB rays to the turtle more. (Regular flourescent UVB lights don't really give off heat.)

I'd still get at least a bulb that emits at least 5% UVB if I had the choice (10% even). The ESU bulb is the only one I can think of offhand that gives 3% UVB rays, and the amount is really minimal, even with an aluminum reflector.

[adam85491]

So a regular heat bulb in a reflective fixture will not make the basking area hotter as opposed to a lamp with a white inside? Also, would the 7% ESU coil UVB bulb be OK in one of those glo lamps that have like a greenish inside?

[marisa]

I think the silver dome would reflect more heat as well, therefore warming the basking area more (sorry I wasn't clear on this). But my comment about heat and UVB rays was in response to your comment about the heat "in turn increasing the amount of UVB rays" as if the heat itself would increase the UVB rays. The aluminum would reflect more heat and UVB rays.

7% is better than 3%, but if I had the choice between an ESU and a Reptisun, I'd get a Reptisun. That said, I don't know why the bulb you mentioned wouldn't be OK in a glo lamp. I've seen those glo lamps, I've never used one. If you haven't aleady bought one, I'd get a regular reflective dome instead. I don't know what the purpose of the glo light would be, other than to give the effect of the moon after the lights are turned off??? I'd want to maximize the amount of UVB rays my turtle gets.

[LKitsch]

I removed the dome because the MVB was larger and barely fit inside. I figured it had a built in reflector---are you saying I should get a larger dome and use that?

The rescues are doing well---they seem quite healthy and are active and eating. One's shell has shown considerable improvement; the one with the really bad shell is improving, but has much further to go.

Thanks!

[LKitsch]

OK, I bought a nice big shiny reflector dome with a new ceramic socket from the local hardware store and it throws off a lot more heat now, so I think I'm set. Thanks all!