Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Maybe this is just a stupid question, but do "normal", not reptile, mercury vapor bulbs give out uv rays, or is that something that is added to the bulbs? I have just noticed normal MV bulbs last much longer and are much more sturdy. The normal MV bulbs, used in shops, etc., can last for year and can take a beating. I know they are a lot heavier than reptile MV bulbs. Are reptile MV bulbs just a wimp version of normal MV bulbs? Sorry if these question are just stupid, but I don't really know how MV bulbs, or any other UV bulb really works, so please, enlighten me. Thank you for you help, jrbl

They probably don't emit UV B. But don't feel bad about the question. I have been chasing this topic on and off for years. Unfortunately the only data available seems to come from the companies that sell UV bulbs to the pet industry. A little one sided, I would say. I have found test cards, that are credit card sized pieces of plastic that have a treated strip on them that reacts to UV. They are actually for testing sunglasses etc. I mail ordered them from Edmund Scientific. They have been able to tell me some things about some bulbs. I have yet to find a UV meter. I suppose someone out there sells them. I guess I have'nt looked hard enough.
So far my only real conclusion is that the flourescent bulbs lose their UV production long before thy actually burn out, and that the UV Heat bulbs (mercury vapor) work well and produce UV longer.

Check them out here:
http://www.professionalequipment.com/xq/ASP/ProductID.978/id.13/subID.121/qx/default.htm

Otherwise i dont know the answer to your question. Sorry!