Mercury vapor bulbs

[AxolotlRocky]

I have heard that Mercury vapor bulbs provide good uv, is this true? and what brands to you recommend? what are your personal experiences with these bulbs. :dontknow:

 

[CooperDragon]

Yes, they do provide a good amount of UVB and are nice and bright. Not all are created equally though and it's worth investing in a good bulb and fixture. I've done testing with some of them and the lower end bulbs are pretty poor (especially National Geographic brand). The best I know of are MegaRay and Arcadia. These bulbs are good for providing heat and UVB to a basking area from about 12-18'' up depending on the wattage and brand. They have a limited range to the sides though.

Another good alternative for UVB is to use a T5 tube with a reflector. This allows you to create a gradient across the enclosure and provide basking level UVB across a large area which makes it easy for your dragon to regulate and bask. The heat and bright light comes from a basking bulb so it's a two bulb setup. This is what I use and it works well. Both MVB and T5 are very good ways to provide UVB to the enclosure, they are just different approaches.

 

[AxolotlRocky]

Thank you for your advice, and by the way isn't mercury poisonous

 

[CooperDragon]

Yes. Mercury can be poisonous but isn't likely to be a big issue if exposed to a small amount of Mercury Vapor from a broken compact fluorescent or MVB. http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientif.../mercury-cfl/l-3/2-release-health-effects.htm

 

[AxolotlRocky]

What kind of fixture do you need for mvb bulbs of the 100 watt type? :book:

 

[CooperDragon]

If they are self ballasted bulbs they can fit in a 100w or 150w rated (I'd go with the 150w rated) dome fixture with ceramic base. You may want the deep dome unless you're hanging the fixture from a lamp stand and it doesn't matter if the bulb sticks out a bit at the bottom.

 

[AxolotlRocky]

thank you for the help I will be getting my beardie very soon now.