This might be a sillly question but I have to ask anyways. If you put a MVP on a dimmer will that effect the UV light coming from it? Never mind, just read you can't put these light on a dimmer....
MVB on a dimmer question?
- Thread starter Lilithlee
- Start date
- Status
Every MVB I have ever seen says specifically in the manual to never use a dimmer since it can damage the bulb.
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2012
- Messages
- 4
What's the best alternative to an MVB?
Instead of MVB's, you can...
FOR THE UVB ASPECT...
- Offer real sunlight. They only need about an hour a week over several sessions. Some people can even do this in the winter, if the sun is strong enough and there is not a lot of wind.
- Use long-tube fluorescent lights. One interesting study got the best reproductive results from some geckos using low-output UVB long tubes- even better than high output and MVBs.
FOR HEAT... Ceramic Heat Emitters (CHE's) are great since they don't put out visible light so you can use them 24/7, and they do well with thermostatic controllers.
FOR LIGHT... A plain incandescent bulb (or two) is cheap, can be found in whatever wattage you need, offers a pretty balanced white light, offers a little heat, and is easy to mount or work with. They also do well with dimmers and timers.
When I redo my indoor habitat, I will be using 2 independent fluorescent bulbs- a low-level UVB that will be on for about 6 hours a day, and a 'deluxe white' or 'warm white' plain fluorescent that will be on for 12-14 hours a day depending on the season. Heat will be provided by a small electric furnace (because of the size of the space- otherwise I would use a CHE or two.)
FOR THE UVB ASPECT...
- Offer real sunlight. They only need about an hour a week over several sessions. Some people can even do this in the winter, if the sun is strong enough and there is not a lot of wind.
- Use long-tube fluorescent lights. One interesting study got the best reproductive results from some geckos using low-output UVB long tubes- even better than high output and MVBs.
FOR HEAT... Ceramic Heat Emitters (CHE's) are great since they don't put out visible light so you can use them 24/7, and they do well with thermostatic controllers.
FOR LIGHT... A plain incandescent bulb (or two) is cheap, can be found in whatever wattage you need, offers a pretty balanced white light, offers a little heat, and is easy to mount or work with. They also do well with dimmers and timers.
When I redo my indoor habitat, I will be using 2 independent fluorescent bulbs- a low-level UVB that will be on for about 6 hours a day, and a 'deluxe white' or 'warm white' plain fluorescent that will be on for 12-14 hours a day depending on the season. Heat will be provided by a small electric furnace (because of the size of the space- otherwise I would use a CHE or two.)
Madkins007 said:
Thanks,
I don't use any bulds right becouse it summer, and my russian enjoy outside. Right now I'm just playing around with light idea, for winter, in my head. I have CHE... Not worried about light but thank again for the advice. I'll keep it all in mind.
- Status
