How long does a mvb last? I can't seem to get a good answer.
mvb how long do they last?
- Thread starter Raymo2477
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Depends on the brand. The arcadia are good although a lot of people have found they blow after about 6 months but then can be replaced free of charge due to their 1 year warranty. If the bulbs are kept ideally they should last at least 1.5 years. I know some people have ones that are still going from 5 years back, just producing heat though not UV-if they are your sole source of UV I would make sure they are changed every year.
FLINTUS said:
Okay that's what I needed to know. I know with the standard flouresecent tube are 6 months and wanted to be sure to replace me he before it does bad.
Yep, wouldn't leave it over a year. Why are you switching to an MVB, certainly for hermanni the good tubes and then a basking spot will be better? At the moment I am using an MVB for my reds, but may switch to the Arcadia T5s soon
Changing the bulb annually can be wasteful, some bulbs have produced UVB for twice that. I think anyone relying on a bulb as a significant source or as their sole source of UVB should have a meter to test their bulbs.
I do agree regarding the UV meters. And as said keep the old bulbs anyway. Although they'd produce UV after a year I doubt they'd be producing the 'desired' amount
Where do you get UV meters?
I bought my current meters from Light Your Reptiles.
I have MVBs that are 6 years old and still work fine. I'm sure the UV output is tremendously diminished, but they work fine as a heat bulb for me. I rely on real sunshine as my UV source, so it doesn't matter to me if my bulbs stop putting out much UV after a while. When they do finally burn out, I just replace them with regular incandescent flood bulbs.
The manufacturer of your bulb will usually print a recommendation for replacement interval on the package. It generally works best if you start this cycle in the fall when it gets too cold to go outside any more. This way your bulb is fresh over winter, and by the time the UV output starts waning, your tortoise will be able to get out for some sun.
The manufacturer of your bulb will usually print a recommendation for replacement interval on the package. It generally works best if you start this cycle in the fall when it gets too cold to go outside any more. This way your bulb is fresh over winter, and by the time the UV output starts waning, your tortoise will be able to get out for some sun.
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