Self Ballasted Merc.Vapor lamps - what's best?

[ladybriann]

okay...this seems to be a confusing topic but here goes....I'm going to buy a self ballasted mercury vapor bulb for my beardie, Sophie. Question is WHICH ONE???? Opinions anyone? There's #1 Fluker's SunSpot, #2 Zoo Med's Power Sun, #3 Exo Terra Solar Glo ( those are the 3 that I know of) My local reptile specialties store recommends and uses the Zoo Med's Power Sun, which is what I'm leaning toward. Sooooo.... which one is best? or should I say which one has the least problems. Also, what wattage should it be??

Sophie is a little over 3 months old, she is in a 40 gallon breeder tank, with her basking light shining on her shelf that is 1/2 way between the floor of tank and screen cover, basking temp = 98 to 103 degrees(her temp gradient goes down to 80 mid tank and 74 on the cool end of her tank). Her basking light right now is a 75 watt Zoo Med basking lamp in a Fluker's 8 inch ceramic clamp light positioned about 5 inches above the screen top. She then has an other clamp light with a full spectrum 60 watt reveal bulb for the UVB. So far she is a very health, happy, growing rapidly baby beardie and I want to keep her that way. That is why I want to switch to a Merc.Vapor lamp so I know she is getting heat, UVA, & UVB rays from the basking light.

I'd like opinions on this, please, so I can make an educated decision. Thanks

jan

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello Jan,

As of right now, none of the mercury vapor bulbs are without issues. They are not worth taking the chance on your beardie. There are a number of threads on the boards about the MVB's and the health issues associated with them.
You would be much better off going with the ReptiSUN 10.0 fluorescent tube UVB. This is the best uvb on the market at the moment unfortunately.
I wanted to mention also that the Reveal full spectrum bulb you are currently using does not produce UVB. So sadly, your beardie is not receiving any uvb right now. If you cannot find the ReptiSun locally it can be purchased online at http://www.petmountain.com for a very reasonable price.
Hope this helps!