Which is the best combi Bulb Heating! Mega Ray VS T-REX
 

I have 2 Russian Tortoises which are around 3yrs old, they both live in a open top enclosure which is about 52'' by 23, I am torn between which bulb 2 buy. In the past I have used the Zoo Med Powersun but they always seem to blow after a few months, I heard that the Mega Ray and T-REX perform very good but not sure which 1 to purchase or the wattage could somebody please help?

Hi and welcome i use tubes for UV and a spotlight bulb for heat for the very reason you say the others keep blowing and by having a spotlight bulb you can set up a thermostat to control the heat :smile:

Hi there

the Arcadia D3 combined lamp is liked by many keepers on this site. It is available in 100 watt and 160 watt and if you go for this one you would need the 160w.

I have used the Arcadia and found it to be good and I have also used the megaray lamps and found them to be good as well. If you get the megaray then again I recommend the 160 watt.

An alternative is to use strip lights for uvb and general light. Of those I think the best one by miles is the arcadia T5 desert D3+ tube which I find to be excellent. A separate heat source is required and I like to use halogen lamps for this. I like the sylvania halogen lamps.

Hope this helps.

Hi there,
My Arcadia 160w just blew yesterday, only 5 months old, so not going to replace it. I have started using the t5 slimline canopy lights and found them to be far superior when it comes to uv count. As Ozric says you then only need a spot lamp for heat.
Hope this helps
Andy

This is why i don't use them:|:|

If you contact your place of purchase they will send you a replacement. They are covered by a 12 month guarantee.

i have used and still use the Zoo Med Combi bulbs and have no trouble with them at all, i also use UVB tubes and heat bulb with thermostat as this is better for controlling the temperature x

I also use the Arcadia 160w bulbs. I have two which have been running every day (apart from 10 days) for around 32 months and 28 months respectively. They were still producing good levels of UVB at the last test four months ago - see here http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...0&postcount=96

Bulbs will blow for various reasons, moisture getting on the bulb from a spray or the bulb not getting a good connection with the contact in the holder, lack of a surge protector and just a duff bulb. The good thing about the Arcadia is that you get a 12 month no quibble guarantee. Megaray used to be 6 months. I have had duff Megarays in the past as well as duff Solarglo

I also use an Arcadia D3 combined lamp and have the 160W version. It didn't kick out as much heat as I expected. But this was because previously I had just used a heat lamp and these are not designed just to kick out heat. (I was new to everything back then)

My setup now uses the Arcadia D3 and a halogen flashbulb with a habitat thermostat to manage the temperature for me.

The D3 bulb was fine for month until I hit it against something during a move - but I was able to replace it and it has been fine ever since.

My torts are happy and healthy so I would recommend them

Not sure that a 160w Mega Ray would provide like for like the same heat as a 160w Arcadia.
The 160w Arcadias are IMO less intense in their heat - during winter you might even need additional heat. I think the MR 120w is more like the Arcadia 160w.
If you get a 160w MR my only worry would be that it could be too intense, especially now we are getting the milder temps outside - even if its on a stand there's only so far a stand will raise in height to lessen this heat.
Easier to add heat (if its needed) by getting the lesser intense Arcadia IMHO. I have had a 120w MR and I still have it as my spare. I also have an Arcadia that I'm using now and their warranty and service I have to say is superb.
I can't comment on the solar Glo bulbs but I trust what Al's test showed in that - they are not that great.
If you do get a combined, think about investing in a solar meter (if you got some money rattling around;)) This is the only test kit that will give you the true UVB output of your bulb - new or after a period of use.
Good luck :)xx