Metal Halide lighting

[ArcticMonkey]

Does anyone use this in their enclosures? I recently ordered a few units from China that were not too expensive.

Haven't set them up properly yet but would be keen to hear of others experiences.

I should add that I'll be using them for basking lights.

 

[imported_Varanus]

I'd be interested to see how they go....supposedly good for monitors and larger elapids. Can you PM me the contact for these?

 

[ArcticMonkey]

PM sent, no secret really I just ordered them from Ali Express which is kind of like an eBay for Alibaba.

They took less than 3 weeks to get here. The light output is amazing and they are only 70w. Apparently they put out more UVB than a $160w MVB but I don't own a UV metre so can't check.

 

[Pilbarensis]

What sort of temperatures do they produce? Also mind sending me a pm too? Always looking for ways to lower the wattage of my monitor enclosures.

 

[ArcticMonkey]

Haven't been able to test them properly yet but a quick check (with my hand) suggests they would get up to 50 degrees at 30cm.

None of the sponsors sell MH lights so shouldn't be an issue. If you just search "Metal halide reptile" on AliExpress you should see them. Order one at a time though to avoid DHL shipping charges. I got 3 units sent by Hong Kong air mail for $15.

 

[imported_Varanus]

Are they a spot or a flood beam?

 

[ArcticMonkey]

They have both PAR 30 and PAR 38 so you can choose either.

I'll be getting my new enclosures within the next month so will set them up properly and do some testing then.

 

[reptalica]

Nice thread. I knew they worked well in an aquarium environment as they are pre-dominantly used for plant growth but I too would be curious as to what levels of UVB they output and at what distances. I presently use the Megaray 100w MVB for my CND's.

I was under the assumption that halides throw out a shiteload of heat.

 

[ArcticMonkey]

They are the most efficient lamps available in terms of light/heat output vs power consumption. Megaray are now selling a MH package that they claim are even better than their MVBs. Cheaper to get it from China though.

 

[reptalica]

I took this snippet from an article I found....I have asterisk'd out where brand names r mentioned.

"It is impossible to set up proper lighting husbandry with only one bulb. Dr Brames states "reptile lighting is a process, not a bulb". Even with the great compliments we received with the new **************, this is still true; the halide provides "mid-day sun" and is excellent when combined with a more golden, softer light for early morning and evening. .

These bulbs are extremely bright, and much more like the natural sun after 8 or 9 AM in the morning and should not be considered for use for the complete 12 hr photo period and should only be used in the over head position. 8 hours a day is more then sufficient for the new ***********. Lamps in basking areas should be on multiple timers to allow a more natural lighting effect. As an example; Halogen on in basking area at 7am, Halide and additional heat (halogen or heat projector) on at 8:30am, 5000K tube daylight fluorescents at 10am, and off in the opposite order during the afternoon. This will reduce stress and prolong the life of any captive creature. "

 

[Dutchy88]

Does that 75w globe just go in your regular ceramic fitting or did you get a whole new set up

 

[ArcticMonkey]

You need an electronic ballast but other than that it works just like an ordinary bulb. The ballast costs around $50 and the globes are around $25 each after that. They last a lot longer and use less energy than other bulbs though so in the end would work out to be cheaper.