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Post by luvmyiggy on Jul 12, 2007 8:11:00 GMT -8
I am currently planning a new enclosure for Reaper and I'm trying to figure out what the best lighting scenario would be. I see many people just attach a domes in the enclosure. Is there an advantage or disadvantage to using recessed lighting? I will be using MegaRay's for lighting. My thought was to have 4 recessed outlets. 2 for MegaRay and 2 for ceramic in the event of a cold night (or any combination that will heat the enclosure adequately.) I'm planning the enclosure to be 6ft tall x 5.5ft wide x 3ft deep.
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Post by prism_wolf on Jul 12, 2007 9:24:33 GMT -8
Nothing wrong with recessed lighting at all. It looks very nice. Just don't recess it too deep or it will be difficult to get the lamp aimed in the exact area you want to aim it.
Are you going to use the Mega Ray SB or EB?
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Post by luvmyiggy on Jul 12, 2007 10:21:57 GMT -8
Actually, I was researching the two options. I'm still a novice so I am trying to understand the difference between the two.
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Post by prism_wolf on Jul 12, 2007 14:17:18 GMT -8
If you mean the differences between the two lights, I can clear that up pretty fast...:-)
SB (self-ballasted): Heat and UVB combo light: Pros: You have the heat and UVB from one source removing the need for another clamp lamp for added heat (unless you end up needing to supplement for winter). You can turn it on and off by any ceramic socketed clamp lamp. Cons: Being a combo light means that if the basking area is too hot, you need to move the source farther from the basking area, which means you move the UVB, too. Moving the UVB farther means, of course, it's no longer as strong as when it was closer. It has a warranty of only 6 months.
EB (External Ballast): UVB - little to no heat: Pros: Stronger UVB with less decay than the SB. You can leave this in one spot keeping the UVB the same while being able to move just the added heat source as needed. Bulb has a one year warranty, ballast has a two year warranty. Cons: You need an added heat source. The initial cost is more expensive since the ballast is a whole separate piece of equipment. MUST remember to turn light off at ballast. Turning off at fixture will kill it. Timers work well for this eliminating the reminder.
The only one I use is the EB. It is far and above any other UVB source out there besides the good old sun. For rehabilitating reptiles...and then for just general care...I haven't seen or heard of other bulbs doing the things the EB does. I've been using them for about 4 years now. As soon as they became available to the public. I also use it for the African gray. Birds benefit from UVB, too... ;D.
They're both good bulbs. I just know what the EB can do.
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Post by luvmyiggy on Jul 19, 2007 11:29:31 GMT -8
Thanks for the clarification. I'll try the EB.
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Post by Tengtou on Jul 19, 2007 13:50:09 GMT -8
I've tried recessed but I like dome better because I can aim it better at the spot I want and I can mount it farther too.
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