Posted by:
j3nnay
at Sun Nov 29 23:30:56 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by j3nnay ]
Heh, replied earlier but didn't seem to post.
Mercury vapor bulbs should be replaced yearly, like a traditional UV light. They'll still light up but there'll be a distinct yellow hue that indicates the light is decaying, or putting off UVC instead of UVB.
The biggest thing with the mercury vapor bulbs is ensuring that you have a large enough cage to allow the heat to dissipate. Also, check to make sure that while the monitor can get close to the light, it doesn't get too close. It's a big, hot, bright bulb and it's possible for the lizard to burn itself.
To clarify what Spyder said - my argument is that the average beginner tends to have more success using UVB than without. And, that a tube light is the same as no light (in the case of monitors) because the relative amounts of UV are so different.
Frank's a pro, and illustrates very well that great care and husbandry leads to minimal problems. I stress that most people aren't Frank, and the easiest route to success for the beginner, especially with babies, seems to be with good lights in addition to a good diet.
Animals I've seen housed under merc vapor bulbs or outdoors in natural sunlight seem to have better color, stronger feeding response, and grow quicker and thicker than others from the same batch that are not housed in that fashion. Imports appear to acclimate quicker as well.
Like Spyder said though, Frank has had a lot of success without UVB. And like I said, I'm a minority by remaining in favor of UV. 
~jen
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"We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words."
- Anna Sewell (1820-1878)
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RE: tristis vs ackie - j3nnay, Sun Nov 29 23:30:56 2009