Heat bulb woes...

[hlester22]

So I got up this morning to find that the great bulbs in both the tortoise cage and the iguana cage have burned out some time in the night. And it snowed last night, so it's cold this morning. Really, what are the odds of that happening? They are plugged into different outlets and all other bulbs are working so I doubt we had any electrical issues. Good thing theres a heater on in that room.

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Heat bulbs, not great bulbs..stupid auto correct

 

[wildponey21]

well they only last about 4 weeks. i have had them last longer but it does happen. i had blow on my red foots and the next day on my sullys. i bought one and 3 hours later it blow is yes it can and will hapen. i by bulbs in bluck now i always them on hand

 

[wellington]

What kind of bulbs are you buying that they only last 4 weeks? The only time I had a problems with my MVB bulb was when I had a bad new hood for my lizard and it blew every bulb, I returned the hood. I would buy a new kind of bulb. My MVB so far has lasted since approx. June 2011. Also make sure it is in the right fixture for the wattage of bulb.

 

[hlester22]

Just went and checked the PDFs and found their uv bulb has burned out since I turned it on this morning. It's gonna be an expensive day at the pet store.

 

[wildponey21]

my heat lamp blubs die about 4 to 6 weeks and mvp blub is fine i use zoo med 100 watt and zoo med 150 watt and they are all inferred.

 

[NudistApple]

My MVB so far has lasted since approx. June 2011. Also make sure it is in the right fixture for the wattage of bulb.

I was always under the impression that you had to switch MVBs out every six months or so? I thought I read somewhere that the UVB stops being emitted long before the light burns out. I always switched them when my beardie was still among us.

I just did a quick search on this forum, and is looks like yea, the general consensus is 6-12 months. Definitely 6 for the tube UVB bulbs.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-zoomed-powersun-mercury-vapor-lamp#axzz1lpLkkaVw

 

[dmmj]

The UV does decrease over time, a UV meter can tell you the output and see if it needs to be replaced.

 

[wellington]

The tube UVB is six months. Not the MVB. However, I still need to research the UVB/UVA in the MVB. I was told by several people, not on TFO that the MVB last three years. However several people on TFO has said that they don't last that long at all, that they burn out within a year?

 

[jaizei]

The tube UVB is six months. Not the MVB. However, I still need to research the UVB/UVA in the MVB. I was told by several people, not on TFO that the MVB last three years. However several people on TFO has said that they don't last that long at all, that they burn out within a year?

I would not trust any bulb for more than 6 months without testing it. I do not rely on bulbs for UVB but if I did, I would have a solar meter just to make sure the bulbs are putting out what they should be.

 

[wellington]

This is one of the places I got my info.
Powersun UV 160 watt

The PowerSun UV is a high intensity source of UVB, UVA, heat and visible light.  Because the PowerSun UV is a self-ballasted bulb it can be used in any ceramic socket that is rated to handle the wattage.  The PowerSun UV has nickel-plated threads to ensure that it will not corrode in humid reptile habitats.  These lamps project useable UVB radiation greater distances (up to 6 feet) than conventional fluorescent tubes. This makes them ideal for large enclosures and reptiles with high UV demands. The PowerSun UV has all of the benefits of our award winning ReptiSun bulbs with the added benefit of increased intensity, heat and a one year guarantee.

The PowerSun UV is a self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb with two main components. The first is a standard incandescent filament, which is the first to light. The second is a mercury vapor arc tube, which takes a few minutes to heat up. There will be a noticeable change in hue (or color) when the bulb is completely warm and fully functioning. Because the PowerSun UV is a self-ballasted bulb it can be used in any ceramic socket that is rated to handle the wattage.

The PowerSun UV has nickel-plated threads to ensure that it will not corrode in humid reptile habitats. This new bulb also incorporates a short neck design, unique among mercury vapor lamps, that allows it to better fit into "clamp lamp" type fixtures.

PowerSun UV projects useable UVB radiation a far greater distance (up to 6 feet) than conventional fluorescent tubes. This makes it ideal for large enclosures and reptiles with high UV demands. PowerSun UV has all of the benefits of our award winning ReptiSun bulbs with the added benefit of increased intensity (50µW/cm2 UVB!!) and heat. UVB radiation has always been the safest, most effective way to ensure proper levels of vitamin D3 in captive reptiles and the PowerSun UV will continue to emit significant levels of UVB for all of its 10,000-hour average life (over 2 years with normal use.)

Reptile Supply .com was the source.
The price of these bulbs are so expensive because of their longer uv life. Does anyone know for a fact they don't last as long as they say? The bulb itself is guaranteed for a year. I will post a thread asking for any info.