MegaRay Lamp Review - Reptiles Australia Magazine Vol. 4 Issue 3

MegaRay® Mercury Vapour Lamp Review

Written for Reptiles Australia Magazine Vol. 4 Issue 3 by Shannon Plummer

“It has always struck me as bizarre that humans, which can perceive just 50% of the sunlight incident to the surface of the Earth, still consider their vision to represent the “truth”. Anything outside the narrow spectral band of 400 to 700 nm is either non-existing to the human mind, or is “false.” ” Dr. Bjorn Rorslett

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of properly caring for UVB-dependent basking reptiles. It cannot be emphasized enough how critical it is to provide an ideal lighting set-up for the physical and psychological health of captive reptiles. In the wild, the sun fulfils all the reptile’s heat and light requirements.

Reptiles are tetrachromats, meaning they possess four cone types in their eyes. This gives them the ability to view the UVA range. Studies show that correct reptile colour rendering of artificial light is not only necessary for intersexual recognition but also motion perception for foraging and for maintaining the animals’ sense of well being (Brames, 2006; Holick & Jenkins, 2003). The immune system depends on the correct heat and light as much as the nutrients derived from diet.

Brames (2006) states:

“Light . . . serves to dry the skin . . . providing a less comfortable surface for the growth of bacterial pathogens while promoting the growth of defensive bacterial flora . . . UV light itself has a direct disinfectant action. Body movement and gut peristalsis to prevent bacterial overgrowth are dependent on appropriate body temperature . . . in combination with vision, light allows foraging and digestion to take place in order to supply the reptilian immune system with nutrients.”

Reptiles have a ‘third eye’ called the pineal organ that is light sensitive and assists in thermo-, immune and reproductive regulation (Brames, 2006; Ralph, 1979; Hamasaki, 1969; Meissl, 1980).

While no artificial light can replicate the full benefits of direct sunlight, there are ways to provide the best substitute possible using current technology to fulfil the reptile’s needs.

As Dr Henry Brames states: “Reptile Lighting is a process not a bulb.”

[http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/docs/aspects-of-light-and-reptile-immunity.pdf]

So we've determined that Ultraviolet Light is very important to your reptile’s health, in particular the spectra known as UVA and UVB. UVB readings taken in tropical and sub-tropical regions can reach up to 300-500uW/cm2 in direct sunlight and even up to 50-100uW/cm2 in shade.

UVA

UVA light influences a reptile’s behaviour and without it they will not be happy or healthy, likely resulting in a shorter life span and unnatural behaviour. UVA light is especially important for mediating reproductive behaviour.

UVB

UVB is also critical to many reptiles’ health. UVB light allows the reptile to synthesize Vitamin D3 in its skin, which in turn mediates the absorption of calcium and development of strong, healthy bones. Vitamin D3 is also needed for the health of muscles, including those of the gut and reproductive system, and the immune system. Without UVB, sun-worshipping reptiles of any age will develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). However, UVB light will not prevent MBD without adequate levels of calcium. Vitamin D3 allows the reptile’s body to absorb the calcium needed for bone strength.

Mega-Ray® Mercury Vapour Lamps produce high levels of UVA and UVB as seen at mid-late morning and early-mid afternoon. They also produce visible light and in the case of Self-ballasted versions, infrared light (perceived as heat); however, they do not compare to natural sunlight and should be used in conjunction with a halogen bulb to create the widest possible spectrum of light for your reptile.

The quality of Mercury Vapour bulbs on the market vary greatly and many of the Chinese made versions use cheap glass that does not distribute the light well and can be extremely dangerous to your reptile’s health, especially their eyesight. Some brands emit far more UV than the sun while others emit only low levels of UVB.

For this reason I only use the Mega-Ray® (www.reptileuv.com) brand that was independently tested and performed very well in tests (www.uvguide.co.uk).

Self-Ballasted Mega-Ray® External-Ballasted Mega-Ray®

The Mega-Ray® bulbs were designed by Robert MacCargar for use in iguana rehabilitation work and use a specially designed frosted glass in the world's first “narrow flood” design to disperse the UVB in a 760mm (30”) circumference at a 508mm (20”) distance which creates a smoot UV gradient.

Another benefit of Mega-Ray® lamps is the ‘quality of light’ they produce, with a Lux reading between 12,000 and 18,000 at 305mm (12”). Many enclosures have a lux reading barely over 5000, compare that to natural sunlight ranging up to 150,000+ Lux. However, the use of a Mercury Vapour lamp on it’s own will not create the necessary spectrum of light or in some cases the desired heat required for a basking area and therefore should be combined with a halogen bulb.

My experience with the Mega-Ray® Self-ballasted 100W has been incredibly pleasing with a marked increase in breeding and basking behaviour. I positioned the mercury vapour lamp based on the manufacturer guidelines that the reptile does not come within 12” (305mm) of the lamp. See my enclosure diagram for details on the exact positioning within a Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) enclosure containing a male and female. Note the use of a Halogen bulb to create an appropriate basking temperature and to contribute to a full spectrum lighting system.

Enlarge Diagram

As the owner of a Solarmeter UVB Meter model 6.2 (www.solarmeter.com) I was able to take accurate UVB readings within my enclosure to verify the claims made by Mega-Ray® and position the lamp in relation to the basking area.

Mega-Ray® Mercury Vapour lamps produce more UVB than other true Mercury Vapour Floods, yet are safer for owners. Their design directs the majority of the UVB from the face of the bulb, rather than diffuse it across a 180° angle. Shown in tests to produce similar amounts of UVB to natural sunlight at the recommended distances.

SAFETY NOTE: The misuse of any UVB emitting bulbs, such as placing the lamp too close to the animal can result in eye and skin conditions such as photo-kerato-conjunctivitis.

Mercury Vapour Bulb Facts by Robert MacCargar

Self Ballasted Mercury Vapour (SBMV bulbs) bulbs have a filament inside that works as a ballast, which ignites the arc tube, making it a hybrid lamp. This filament is the weak point in the bulb. Just as you will have to replace standard incandescent bulbs in your habitat due to vibration failure, so will the self-ballasted need to be changed. SBMV bulbs that are mounted in solid fixtures, such as on walls and ceilings in your house will fail less often due to being mounted on a solid foundation rather than inside or on freestanding habitats. The less vibration the longer lasting the bulb. The obvious advantage to this bulb is that it performs 3 functions, heat, light, and UVB. The disadvantage is that when the filament fails, all three are gone.

External ballasted Mercury Vapour lamps will NOT fail due to tungsten filaments. They have proven to be excellent sources of UVB. They will require optional light and heat sources such as halogen lamps. Halogen lamps run “hot” for the wattage so be careful when setting them up.

While all UV lamps will have a decay rate, meaning that the ultraviolet diminishes over time, the MegaRay design lamp has the least decay of any Mercury Vapour lamp on the market. Most Mercury Vapour lamps will decay up to 80% over three to six months. The MegaRay only has an average of 20% to 30% in a year's use (12 hours a day, seven days a week)

Mercury vapour bulbs do NOT emit any strange or mysterious rays. The entire electro magnetic spectrum can be, and is mapped by spectroradiometers. Regardless of what you may have read on some sites, Mercury Vapour bulbs do not emit any UVC at any distance. I have taken readings from MV lamps producing over 2,000uW/cm2@12” and have never registered even 1uW/cm2 of UVC.

IMPORTANT: Adequate levels of UVB cannot pass through glass or plastic and UVB is greatly diminished by fine mesh. The ideal set-up involves nothing between the UV bulb and the inhabitants. An open mesh is also an option and will allow a significant amount of UV light into your enclosure.

Purchase Information

Available in Australia through Animal Attraction www.animalattraction.com.au

Or direct from the US manufacturer Mega-Ray® at www.reptileuv.com

Mega-Ray® Mercury Vapour Products

Self-Ballasted

Mega-Ray® European High Voltage (HV) SB 100watt - 220volt flood

•All-in-one lamp
•100 watt SB Par-38 Narrow Flood 220-volt Lamp
•Warranty - 6 months

Mega-Ray® European High Voltage (HV) SB 160watt - 220volt flood

•All-in-one lamp
•160 watt SB Par-38 Narrow Flood 220-volt Lamp produces more UVB and UVA than a standard Mega-Ray® Euro 100 watt lamp, along with more heat, and can therefore be used at slightly greater recommended distances.
•Warranty - 6 months

Mega-Ray® EURO ZOO SB 100 watt 220volt Flood

•100 watt Self-ballasted Par-38 Narrow Flood 220-volt ZOO Lamp
•Minimum distance of 915mm (3 feet)
•This bulb produces very little heat at a distance of 915mm (3 feet)
•Warranty – 1 year
•This lamp is a quality, very high output UVB source. It will only be sold to zoos, qualified herpetologists or individual hobbyists who own a UVB meter. Most Hobbyists should use the regular Mega-Ray® Flood Lamp range (EB or SB).

External Ballasted Kits

Mega-Ray® supply replacement bulbs for all EB Kits so you can continue to use the EB Ballast Box indefinitely.

Mega-Ray EB 60 watt 220-240 Volt Flood UVB Lamp Kit

•Unique 60 watt EB Par-38 Narrow Flood Lamp
•Significantly reduced decay rate
•Comes equipped with a long-life external ballast that reduces bulb failures
•60-watt energy-efficient bulb produces very little heat.
•Bulb Warranty - 1 year
•External Ballast Warranty – 1 year

Mega-Ray ZOO EB 60 watt 220-240 Volt Flood UVB Lamp Kit

•Unique 60 watt EB Par-38 Narrow Flood ZOO Lamp
•Significantly reduced decay rate
•Comes equipped with a long-life external ballast that reduces bulb failures
•60-watt energy-efficient bulb produces very little heat.
•Minimum distance of 915mm (3 feet)
•Bulb Warranty - 1 year
•External Ballast Warranty – 1 year
•This lamp is a quality, very high output UVB source. It will only be sold to zoos, qualified herpetologists or individual hobbyists who own a UVB meter. Most Hobbyists should use the regular Mega-Ray® Flood Lamp range (EB or SB).