Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Once again, my mercury vapor bulb failed to come on this morning. This is the 3rd failure in 5 months--I haven't even gotten my replacement bulb from the last time! I love the results, but I just can't continue using bulbs that I can't rely on. If this had happened two weeks from now, I'd be up at Tahoe, and my husband wouldn't have known about the problem until he came home from work, because he leaves before the lights come on. In the winter, that's a definite problem.

Anyway, I need to revamp my lighting system, and I want to provide as much UVB as I can without using mercury vapor bulbs. Right now I have one Reptisun. I'm thinking about adding another one. I've also seen that ESU has a coil fluorescent that gives off 7% or 8% UVB, but I don't know anything about those. The tortoises do go outside for brief periods when it's sunny, and will be going out for longer periods in about a month or so. The main need for the UVB lighting will be from mid-October to mid-March.

Any input or advice greatly appreciated!
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

>. I've also seen that ESU has a coil fluorescent that gives >off 7% or 8% UVB, but I don't know anything about those.

Please, do not waste your money of the ESU coils. My vet says that you are lucky if they even produce 2% UVB and they also do not put off any heat, so your tort will likely not sit under it.

My opinion, go with the flouresents if the Mercurys are not holding up.

I hope this helps.
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Kelly Wood

1.2 Cherry Head Redfoots

1.2 Brazillian Redfoots

0.3.4 Leopard tortoises

1.1.2 Sandfire Bearded Dragons

0.2 Dogs

1.3 Parakeets

I did a little more research and the coil lamp only puts out 3% at best, so I guess I'll go with the Reptisuns and wait for spring.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Beautifuldragons.com has been doing testing with a borrowed UV meter and so far the only tubes that produce a good amount of UVB besides the MVB bulbs ( and believe me I understand your frustration) are the Reptisun 5.0 bulbs.
Beautiful Dragons Website

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Stacey

I'm honestly at my wit's end with those things. I use them exactly as the companies suggest, and I've yet to have one last more than 2 months. The only thing I can think of is that there is too much vibration in my house (2 boys, plus wood floors)--but really, how sorry of a product is it if it's that sensitive? It's true that the companies are good about replacing bad bulbs, but it's a pain, especially if you have to do it every month or two.

Sob...
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I am new to the bulbs. I have always used the Reptisun 5.0, so my bulbs are only two months old. I am waiting for them to fail because just about everyone has the same expereience you do. I have them in 10 inch ceramic based fixtures and haven't had problems yet, but like I said...

There is one guy on the beardie forum that says he has had his T-Rex ( the brand I have) last up to a year, but that is certainly the exception rather than the rule. Sorry I wish I had better news. They are great sources of heat and UVB, but too expensive to have them fail all the time.
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Stacey

Hi,

I have gone threw the same problems with MV bulbs, and I feel your pain Brothers and Sisters!

I am currently testing some new MV Bulbs for some friends and I have to say it looks good. I have yet to test the bulb with a UV meter for myself, but I do have access to one. I'll have to check it out and report back.

Anyways these bulbs are a lot smaller that those big old globes. I was using a 100watt premium life but I found that I am getting the same (if not better) results using a 60watt. I can't tell you the brand because it was given to me in a plain white box. The friends I got it from breed Veild and Panther chameleons and have been using these bulbs exclusively for the last 18 months with impressive results. These bulbs are also much more durable than any others I have tried in the past. (Survived a 4 foot drop)

Anyways Hang in there fellow herpers, help is on the way.