Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a 10”, “BROODER LAMP” dome fixture from Home Depot, ($8.99); it says it’s rated for 300 watts. I though I saw something about them here on the forum. Are they OK to use as a terrarium heat lamp fixture? They don’t have the fancy powder coated paint job like the “reptile” ones at PetCo., just an aluminum dome, but it is rated for high wattage and has a ceramic socket. Should I use it, or am I at some form of risk.

BTW: They had light bulbs there labeled as “mercury vapor”, these can’t be the same as the Power Sun variety, can they? They were only like $14.00.

Thanks all,
Jason

There is nothing wrong with those brooder fixtures. They are fine to use for heating. As for the mvb at home depot they are not the same as the reptile mercury vapor bulbs.
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I was at Home Depot today and asked the same question about the mvbs. The difference is that the mv bulbs made for reptiles are self-ballasted, which means that they can be used in an regular incandescent fixture. The bulbs use a LOT of electricity, and if they are not self-ballasted you need a fixture with a transformer. They will not work in regular incandescent fixtures. Bummer, huh???

Laura