New Mega Ray 70w Metal Halide

[jaf2212]

I got talking to someone about these today in my local reptile shop and they said I should post my review here for all

Last November I built 2 new vivs 4x2x2, one off which has been fitted with the new Megaray MH bulbs. I wanted a way to provide uv without having a uv tube hanging in the middle of the viv, I was also worried that a MV bulb would produce far too much heat in a small viv. I was lucky enough to get one of the proto-types from Darren @ Kimbo's, this is the review I wrote back in November.

I have run the bulb for a few days now, with an empty viv and noticed a big difference in the light out put from these bulbs over any uv bulbs prevously used. I have not been able to monitor the temps all day due to work and other stuff. I have tested the viv without a basking rock and at 14inches I'm getting a basking temp between 100-110F, hoping this will increase to 105-120F once I've added the rocks

The kit was very easy to wire up and fit, it was all fitted with plugs ready to plug straight in. I have removed these.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/07112008254.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/14112008264.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/14112008263.jpg

As you can see, I have wired both vivs together so they will be easier to control. I have installed a second bulb next to the MH one for early morning/evening lighting and will only be running the MH light for 7 hours a day.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/11112008261.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/11112008260.jpg

The normal basking bulb will be on for around 12 hours a day, which will let the beardie have a period without high levels of uv, similar to the desert.

The light produced from one of the MH Bulbs against a standard B&Q 60w bulb is 10 times better

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/14112008265.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/jrscdelsol/Megaray%20MH%20Viv%20build/14112008266.jpg

I'm expecting alot from the MH bulb, so I'm hoping to see a big change in Houdini, my Beardie as he has become lazy and won't hunt

These are not a cheap bulb and retail at £110.00 each from Darren@megaray.co.uk, but when you price up uv tubes and fittings, within 18 months these bulbs will have made a saving

If any one is looking at getting a MV, I would suggest speaking to Darren about the MH first.

[jaf2212]

The above review was written last november when these where still in proto-type form, I have seen a big change in Houdini, he is more active, very randy and eats loads should I let him.

The final product is now fully on the market and Darren currently has these on offer - Mega-Ray 70w Metal Halide by: Kimbos (http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/megaray-metal-halide-p-158.html?osCsid=b5e6b6196e910961b932dd7aae564252), well worth every penny

I have just recieved my 2nd bulb today and looking forward to seeing the results with my blood red/yellow phase male beardie. There are a few differences with the kit and the Ballast has been put through some serious testing at a great cost.

Anyone interested in giving your reptiles a huge dose off uv should really check out these bulbs, there is nothing which comes close to these apart from the sun, the following review was written by Francis @ uvguide on the proto-types - http://www.reptileuv.com/docs/MegaRayPrototypeMetalHalidesOct2008.pdf

Since using these bulbs, I've also been able to cut back on the supplements as there is higher levels off uva and uvb. My male which since has been move has gone into a full shed within 2 days and is far more active

[Alison]

Im thinking about these for the chameleons. Just might get in touch with Darren for more info!!

[jaf2212]

Im thinking about these for the chameleons. Just might get in touch with Darren for more info!!

They are well worth it, at the moment I know Darren loads of these in stock as there is only 2 other people with the final setup apart from me

[TyMilsom]

Hi interesting.

I notice your last sentance :
"Since using these bulbs, I've also been able to cut back on the supplements as there is higher levels off uva and uvb. My male which since has been move has gone into a full shed within 2 days and is far more active "

and this worries me because by supplements you presumably include calcium. I understand you would adjust your D3 supplemention, but certainly not your calcium as the increased UVB and subsequent D3 production could lead to resorption of calcium from bone, which can result in decreased bone density.

[jaf2212]

Hi interesting.

I notice your last sentance :
"Since using these bulbs, I've also been able to cut back on the supplements as there is higher levels off uva and uvb. My male which since has been move has gone into a full shed within 2 days and is far more active "

and this worries me because by supplements you presumably include calcium. I understand you would adjust your D3 supplemention, but certainly not your calcium as the increased UVB and subsequent D3 production could lead to resorption of calcium from bone, which can result in decreased bone density.


I use calcium twice weekly which my local reptile vet has advised me is plenty and he said my last beadie looked fine and healthy, I wouldn't suggest this to anyone else unless they knew what they was doing

[jo x]

I like the idea of a all in one bulb like the mega rays i used the 100watt until it was replaced by the 120watt which I now use and I speak highly and will always recommend these bulbs to anyone, but my concern with these lamps are there emitting high levels of UV which in turn couldnt it cause cell damage or photo-kerato-conjunctivitis caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation.

[jaf2212]

I like the idea of a all in one bulb like the mega rays i used the 100watt until it was replaced by the 120watt which I now use and I speak highly and will always recommend these bulbs to anyone, but my concern with these lamps are there emitting high levels of UV which in turn couldnt it cause cell damage or photo-kerato-conjunctivitis caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation.

These lamps have been tested over the last two years with no known problems, the MH actuall produce safer uv levels than the 120w MV lamps. If you also compare the uvb output on the report posted above and the uvb out for the 100w MV on the uvguide site - http://uvguide.co.uk/images/megaraysbdecay.gif, you will see the the levels of uvb at 12inches is almost identical

The first lamp (ref. BMH11 – inscribed L3 on the collar) had already been in use for
approximately 1,000 hours and was sent with the following information:
Initial output 123μW/cm² at 12 inches. Output after 1,000 hours: 115 to 130 μW/cm²
at 12 inches.

The biggest differnce is the amount of light the MH produce over the MV with less heat

Visible light output
Recordings with a lux meter (SkyTronic LX101 model 600.620 digital lux meter) confirm the visual impression that the lamps produce extremely effective, intense illumination. Figure 6a gives the data in numerical form, from 2 to 36 inches distance. The chart (Figure 6b) gives the full range of measurement to 50 inches distance.

At 12 inches, BMH11 is emitting approximately 70,000 lux and the two new lamps are emitting 110,000 – 120,000 lux.

For comparison, direct solar readings (the meter sensor pointing directly at the sun) five minutes after sunrise reach 3 – 5,000 lux. Levels of 50,000 are reached within half an hour, and 100,000 lux is often recorded 23 hours later. In clear weather, midday direct solar readings of 120,000 to 150,000 lux are often seen. Hence, these metal halide lamps produce the equivalent of full morning sunlight at 12 inches distance.

In contrast, a typical 18-20watt UVB fluorescent tube produces around 500 lux at 12 inches distance, and a typical MegaRay 100watt mercury vapour lamp produces between 12,000 – 16,000 lux at 12 inches.

If you have any concerns with these bulbs I would strongly suggest speaking to Darren or even with Francis @ uvguide.

[jo x]

i will give Darren ring some time today

[jaf2212]

i will give Darren ring some time today

Cool, I have spoken to Darren in lenght about these bulbs and spent another 45 mins discussing the issues mentioned here. This bulb is a professional bulb and will not be sold just to anyone.

There is a lot off money and testing gone into the design off these and the proto-types have been in use around the world by various people and was fully tested by Francis. I have been fully assued no such issues can ocur due the the brightness off these bulbs the reptiles are unable to look directly at them.

[jo x]

havent had chance to speak to Daz yet but i will ring tomorrow.

[TyMilsom]

Hi interesting.

I notice your last sentance :
"Since using these bulbs, I've also been able to cut back on the supplements as there is higher levels off uva and uvb. My male which since has been move has gone into a full shed within 2 days and is far more active "

and this worries me because by supplements you presumably include calcium. I understand you would adjust your D3 supplemention, but certainly not your calcium as the increased UVB and subsequent D3 production could lead to resorption of calcium from bone, which can result in decreased bone density.


I use calcium twice weekly which my local reptile vet has advised me is plenty and he said my last beadie looked fine and healthy, I wouldn't suggest this to anyone else unless they knew what they was doing

So you are saying that you have NOT cut their calcium supplementation. Thats the point we need to emphasis. And not least because your post did suggest to everyone.....

Please understand im not having a dig at you, but clarifying a very important point.

Good luck with your trials.

Thanks

Ty