Mercury Bulb

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Cape Yellow Head

New member
I was recently told that a mercury bulb can take place of a UVB, is this true? I need to know fast as I get my animals this friday ( 2.0 Flame Bellied Girdled Lizards and 1.0 Neon Gliding Lizard ) I already have UVB for both but would like to know as they are quite old bulbs.


Thank you

Cape Yellow Head
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
Yes that can but that through off aloft of heat so that sent always suitable depending on the animal. Also thay can be really sensitive so if you jar them that can go out some times.
 
Hannibal

Hannibal

Active member
Depending on the wattage you get, they can put out a lot of heat. They are an excellent source of UVB and do last longer than other types of UVB bulbs.
 
oli

oli

New member
Ethan, what do you know about the Xenon puck lights? How are they in regards to uvb? they definitely emit some good heat
 
A

AeroWRX

New member
Mercury Vapor Bulbs are the pinnacle of UVB light. They are mainly great for daytime reptiles and produce a very good amount of UVB. Much higher than those Zoo Med or Exo Terra UVB bulbs. You'll see many turtles and tortoise owners use Mercury Vapors due to the fact that it's an all in one unit for emitting UVB and heat.

A 160W mercury vapor bulb can bring area up to 100F at a distance of 2 feet. Reptiles may like to bask in UVB, but UVB is also harmful for plants so beware using mercury vapor on plant life.

I found this brand to be cheap and long lasting
Welcome To ReptileUV - Mega-Ray® UVB lamps for reptile lighting worldwide

However, all UVB bulbs diminish in radiation through time and you should change them every year.

Mercury Vapor bulbs you buy from major brand name pet companies will be $10+ more per watt than a ReptileUV mercury vapor bulb. I use them on all my turtles.

oli said:
Ethan, what do you know about the Xenon puck lights? How are they in regards to uvb? they definitely emit some good heat
Click to expand...

I believe Xenon light has a wavelength between 150-200 nm which is in the realm of UVC -highly dangerous radiation that have harmful effects to living things in general.
 
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Riverside Reptiles

Riverside Reptiles

Administrator (HMFIC)
If someone's serious about using MV lighting I would suggest using a real MV light with an actual separate ballast, etc. Those will last for a long time and are worth the cost.

@ Oli, I have some in my kitchen and they put off way too much heat! I wish I had gone for led. I used a combo of MH and HPS lighting when I was breeding tegus and it worked great. But I was using them to heat and light huge enclosures. Don't think they'd work so great with geckos except maybe if you were heating/lighting the whole room.
 
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