Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has tried a Capture the Sun Mercury Vapor Bulb from Big Apple Herp. I already tried a Powersun UV and it burned out within 4 months. Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Call the manufacturer, I had the same problem with my powersun uv and zoomed replaced it free of charge.

HTH
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

n/p

No bulbs can be guaranteed to not break over a given time due to the materials and how they are manufactured. I've experienced the same with both ActiveHeat and PowerSun bulbs, actually every bulb type I've purchased has had a 'bad egg'.

If the manufacturers are reputable, they will replace the bulbs with a new one for free if you inquire, send back the bulb and show proof of purchase often within one year of purchase.

You should look out for a reputable mfg that will back their product should one of them be faulty. Looking for a bulb that won't break is not worthwhile.

Paul

I have not noted any major differences between Mercury and ZooMed (done no studies though). I personally buy the one that I can find at the best rate backed with a warranty.

Paul

Currently using 7 of them in various pens. Have had problems with two, but overall they seem to perform as well as the others and are cheaper. Also, for what it's worth the UVB output is higher, but don't tell Melissa.

Our Middle Eastern Greek's seem to be more active with them versus the PowerSun or ZooMed's.

Ernie

How do you maintain temps with them? I have one (Capture the Sun) on a hanging lamp stand over a 3' x 2' indoor pen (Hermann's hatchling). The morning temps are in the 80s, but in the afternoon they start going up, up, up. I've been switching to a regular flood light and a Reptisun 5.0 in the afternoons, but I'd rather use the mercury vapor bulb due to higher UVB output. Any hints on how to get a more even temp?
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Sohni
(aka Jeannie, but other people have similar names, too confusing, so I switched)
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa (Bella)
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake (Bess)
1.1 Rubber Boas (Esther & Isaiah)
1.0 Leopard Gecko (George)
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Moxie)
2.0 Adopted DSH Cats (Amos & Silas)
1.0 Rescued English Springer Spaniel (Jimmy)
and...
2.0 Kids (Riley & Noah) w/ 0.0.1 California King
Snake (Rex), 1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa (Lucas), 0.1
Leopard Gecko (Geico)
1.0 Husband (no pets, just us, lol)

Our smallest pen is twice the size of yours so my first thought is the heat radius of the bulbs. They seem to have a 15-18" heat radius so in a 3 x 2 pen that covers too much area to get a reasonable tempurature gradient. You may want to try a smaller ESU UVB bulb. I believe they come in 20-40-60 watt sizes and mix that with a 60 watt ceramic heat bulb. That combination may give you the temp gradient that would be reasonable for a 3 x 2 pen. When your little one graduates to a 3 x 6 or larger enclosure then the 100W Capture the Sun or any other UVB Heat bulb won't be an issue.

Do you mean the ESU fluorescent bulbs or do they make a smaller wattage mercury vapor bulb? I do have the Reptisun, and I was considering using an additional one to boost the UVB. The only 60 watt mercury vapor UVB bulb I've seen has an external ballast at an additional cost of $40, and I was reluctant to spend that much money for something I might not be able to use very long. Guess I need to do some more investigating.
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Sohni
(aka Jeannie, but other people have similar names, too confusing, so I switched)
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa (Bella)
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake (Bess)
1.1 Rubber Boas (Esther & Isaiah)
1.0 Leopard Gecko (George)
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Moxie)
2.0 Adopted DSH Cats (Amos & Silas)
1.0 Rescued English Springer Spaniel (Jimmy)
and...
2.0 Kids (Riley & Noah) w/ 0.0.1 California King
Snake (Rex), 1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa (Lucas), 0.1
Leopard Gecko (Geico)
1.0 Husband (no pets, just us, lol)