Yes, I don´t like the mercury vapor bulbs either. I use the "Vita Lite" fluorescent bulbs. And you are right when you say that reptiles don´t spend the whole day basking. And that´s why I use the "Vita Lite" bulbs. They don´t produce much uvb, and twelve hours of these fluorescent bulbs would be the same as two-to-three hours of direct sun light. I don´t know about uros, but igs can´t get D3 vitamin by eating supplements(with D3). They still need the UVb to absorb the calcium.
This subject is always very hard to discuss. Some will say that the lizard will do well if given the right diet, some will say that even with the perfect diet they still need the UV rays.
I don´t know what is right or wrong, so I provide both to my igs.. and until now they seem to be doing great.
Anyways, thank you very much for the info.
Take care,
Later,
Dan

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