Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As the topic 'mercury vapour lamps' is coming up again and again it seems to me, that a lot of people are using them or wondering about using them.
As mentioned in an earlier post I personally have problems to find a brand different from T-Rex here in the Canadian Capitol region. And my experience with these is terrible: 4 bulbs at almost 100$ each within a little bit more than a year!
I am expecting an order of 'Capture the Sun' as well as 'Powersun' from Big Apple any of these days, and want to put them to the test.
But I would find it really useful, if people could post short notes on a) which brand they are using, b) who their suppliers are and c) what the average life expectancy seems to be.
This might help all of us and save us $$$ in the longer run.

Thanks for your cooperation, Gaby

I am not sure which is the best, but www.reptiledirect.com has the zoomed ones pretty cheap right now.

NOT T-Rex. Unscrewed my after one week and the metal part of th bulb was mostly melted. When I unscrewed it separated. $79.99 piece of crap.

Metamorph Enterprise makes a very good bulb which appears to be very long lasting. I have not noticed ANY of the problems that seem to be associated with the some of the other brands.
On the downside, their customer service SUCKS! It took me almost 2 full months to finally get mine.
I have also had exceptionally good results with Big Apples' Capture The Sun. My first one was still going when I replaced it after almost a year.
Best of luck with your bulb quest!
Jackie

I have been very happy with Zoomed's Powersun bulbs. I had one burn out prematurly, and Zoomed replaced it with a new one. I have heard a lot of good things about Big Apple's Capture the Sun, so I think I am going to give that one a try next. I was using the Reptisun 5.0 fluorescent bulbs with Russian tortoises, and I saw a huge difference in their activity level and appetites after I switched to the Powersun mercury vapor bulb!