Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings everyone!

I come to you with a lighting question. I was recently shopping for a new UVB source for my iggy Kain when I came across the Reptile UV website with a good selection of mercury vapor bulbs. However, after re-reading some of the ICFS PDF by Melissa Kaplan I am reconsidering the safety of mercury vapor bulbs for me and Kain. Has anyone experienced any problems with them (skin problems, leaking mercury vapor etc.)? What products would be best as far as UVB goes for a green iguana? My light fixture (a ceramic socket deep dome) is around 15 inches from his basking spot. Also, would any UVB bulbs also function as a good basking/heating light? Im finding the colder temperatures are making my setup go from producing 90 degrees Fahrenheit day temperatures to 80-88 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanks in advanced.

-Michel
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Take two...

As a former employee of a major reptile supply company and a herper w/ a lot of indoor living iguanids...

I always use Repti-Sun 10.0s no matter what, but that is also because my guys are in big cages and within a distance where the UVB will reach. MVBs are good if your enclosure allows for them and the animal cannot touch them. They reach just a little further than the fluorescent. Currently at the Aquarium i intern at they are quite fond of them They provide the 4 things I always look for in a reptile setup (all in one);
1.Heat
2. Physical light (UVA)
3.UVB
4. Temperature Gradient

Also these bulbs are highly sensitive to water. I ALWAYS go with ZooMed (Powersun) based on my own testings of products. ZooMed lights are manufactured out of Germany, and not china, and are tested and I have never had a problem with any of them. Other lesser known companies may source their lighting from elsewhere and the UVB may be too low (in most cases) or too high. (not AS common) Good luck and remember there are MANY MANY ways to do up the UVB bulbs, if you use a tube fluorescent you can always cut your costs and use a basking spot bulb from home depot and also make sure (VERY IMPORTANT) to change them EVERY year or more!

Thanks for your input. I am actually using a Powersun UV 100 watt bulb and have been since last April when I purchased my iggy. Its worked great for all 4 things you mentioned until winter hit. Then I purchased a CHE to keep the day and night temperatures up. With all this contradicting information on the internet and books, I decided to come here in search of some clarification. Thanks again.

You will always find contradictory info, LOL!

The MegaRay has long been considered the gold standard of mercury vapor bulb for reptiles. They have been shown to last longer with less decay than any other brand. That said, I also use the Power Sun because of the lower cost.

If cages do not allow for a MVB, then I use a 10.0 linear fluorescent.

I've noticed the discrepancies in iguana info since I first started researching how to care for them. Its a bit frustrating to a beginner.

I would really like to get a MegaRay but considering my lack of ability to measure its UVB as it decays and my restricted funds I think I'll stick to a new PowerSun for now. Now I can focus more on taming my little friend.

Thanks for your help. I've always found the info you post in this forum quite useful.