Fireside, while I use mercury vapor, in smaller cages I have found a 10.0 works very well less than 12 inches off the sand substrate. I cureently have some very healthy fringe-toed sand lizards under a 10.0, I find the UVB from these mercury lamps at that close not to be my first choice. In a 40 gal. cage I do use both or either is it may be. I totally understand your perspective, but I am not at all convienced that mercury vapor should always be the choice, given my experience with small southwast lizards under a 10.0 bulb which i can give you a list, I have never had a problem with raising Hls or any other under a good flourescent. I understand that Lesters 9 year horned lizards were primarily raised under flourescents as well, that doesn't amke it right or wrong, just a whole lot of people such as myself that does see the flourescent having good application especially with smallwer cages. I have seen the comparisons back and forth and the arguements both ways, I'm cool if thats what you recommend, but for the samller cages a 10.0 works just fine, I have never had a problem, and before 10.0 was available I used ESU 7% approximately 10 or less inches from the substrate, all my baby chucks, horned lizards and others did fine under such a bulb. So I am not going to be dogmatic myself and feel comfortable with the flourescents, In my 2 x 2 x 4 cages I use mercury vapoer as well as in my 36" cages, so it's not like I don't use them, but I have found that correct tempretures is just as important as to whether you use a mercury or flourescent. Its the whole thing. Obviously you are more comfortable with the mercury and thats cool. I prefer to use the T-Rex because of the light and heat it puts out compared to some others offered on the market, including the short neck bulb as well which I prefer.........Cheers!!!
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