HELP ME!!! I have heared they are great vand evil. Which is it, I'm so confused!
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Mercury Vapor Bulbs
sk8erdude360
Feb 17, 2004 06:43 PM
Replies (6)
Johnstud56
Feb 17, 2004 06:48 PM
Stick to using a strip light with a reptisun 5.0 uvb bulb and a basking light. Just my opinion.
lkt
Feb 17, 2004 10:55 PM
.
Johnstud56
Feb 17, 2004 11:29 PM
Well I like having seperate in case one stops working, like if the UVB stops you would never know becuase you cant see it, so if you have 2 you can tell if it goes out or not, you see what im saying?
DraconisAntiquus
Feb 18, 2004 07:54 AM
"Well I like having seperate in case one stops working, like if the UVB stops you would never know becuase you cant see it, so if you have 2 you can tell if it goes out or not, you see what im saying?"
The light from a Mercury Vapor bulb is a different color once it's warmed up, so if it stops working, you should have no trouble noticing.
It takes about 5 minutes for the secondary elements to warm up and get going. Once they are warm, the light has much more of a blue color to it.
The Powersun bulbs also have an "Over-heat protection mechanism" that won't let the light re-start for 15 minutes, if it's turned off then turned back on.
We're currently using a 100 watt Powersun in a dome over one end of a 40 gallon tank, and a 100 watt fluorescent spiral bulb in a dome over the other end. The 100 watt spiral is one of the fluorescent bulbs made to replace a standard lightbulb in a lamp or other fixture, and gives off quite a bit of light without much heat.
Since we went to this arrangement, the tanks have been much brighter, and keeping the temps right has been much easier. Also, all three of our dragons seem much happier and more colorful.
So, from what I've seen with the Mercury Vapor bulbs, I would not go back to the fluorescent tubes.
Just my opinion, and worth exactly what you've paid for it.
D.A.
beardiedragon
Feb 18, 2004 07:15 AM
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_Meter_Owners/
all the info you want and more about UV lighting, brands, types, how long they last...
Link
-----
Bennett
mismodliz
Feb 18, 2004 10:16 AM
IMO--I have always used the MVB, and I love them. I use the Powersun brand from reptiledirect.com in my 40 breeder tank. Temps are great, and I've never had a problem with them. Plus, they come with a warranty card (make sure you mail it in right away). 
-----
1.0 Bearded Dragon - Telamon
0.1 House Cat - St. Stephen
1 Saltwater Aquarium
1 Freshwater Aquarium
