Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My old vet highly recommended mercury vapor lights and uses them in her practice. My new vet, who I also respect, says he isn't a huge fan of them and still uses the tube lights, although he does use two of them versus one. What is the concensus on lights here? Who uses tubes and who uses mercury vapor and why?

JIM

I hope this doesn't come across as conciet or arrogance....
I use them, and You won't too many lizards that are as colorful as the ones I have. And I will say that I am NOT by NO means an expert!!
My list of experts include... Will Wells, Eve, Brock Nelson, Johne and a few others.
All I am saying is, that the MV lights thatI bought seem to be doing ALL that they claim!!
*brighter colors
*better appetite etc.

here's my little fella...
I tad thin, this was RIGHT before lights out for brumation

Dang that is colorful! Man, he looks great! I notice that you use a brooder fixture versus the open one... I have Dexters in that open wire sort of fixture and wonder if I should put in brooder one - I'd like that b/c it seems like the light was be directed down and not light up my room so much. I just used the one they recommended. Which brand do you use? I think I should just get rid of the basking light and just use the MV.

Curious as to what brand you use, there is a lot of discussion about these, I think the zoomed is the best in heat and light output. The T-rex works nice but I understand they don't last very long. JUst Curious.........
-----
Phrynosoma.com

______

signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

My first one was a ZooMed Power Sun 160W spot and it didn't last that long... maybe 6 months, but I didn't return it for the warranty b/c I was moving the light every day when I would open the top to feed - I had a wire top that was one peice. Now, I have one that has a hinge in the middle so I can have it on the left and open the right without disturbing it. I now have a T-Rex 160W Flood. I am not sure I am too fond of the T-Rex... but I dunno. I think I need to get right of the basking as the MV is probably enough.

I have 2 zoomed bulbs 160 watt floods.
I also have other lighting and one under "tank" heat source.
But I am heating and lighting 45 sq feet!!

reptisun 5.0 uv tubes in all of my tanks, and Mercury Vapor Bulb in a basking site on the floor for free roamers, and for who ever is out for a run that wants to bask.

The only kick I have is the Mercury Vapor Bulb is expensive and burned out after 2 1/2 months. I had to send it back to the company and get a replacement.

They were extremely good about it, (as long as you have the orginal receipt) garenteed for a year. BUT..... you are without it for a couple weeks. I do like it, just wish they would come down in price and not burn out as fast.

How is Dexter?
-----
-----

PHEve / Eve

Hey Eve... yeah! They are expensive! But I have searched quite a bit and found some websites that sell them for about half of what would would pay at a petstore. I have bought one (ZooMed) from www.petguys.com and I have ordered some other stuff from them and really like them. The 160W is $45 and the 100W is $40. Same deal with www.LLLReptile.com My new vet suggested them. I also ordered one from Drs. Foster & Smith, who are more known for dog/cat care, but also has reptile and decent prices.

I've always used either zoomed or reptisun flourescents. I'm going to give the 10.0 bulbs a try. My lizards get several hours per week of natural sun. I think the mercury vapor light bulbs would be too hot for my cages here in Phoenix.