Mercury Vapour Bulbs for beardies....

[reptalica]

Hi there peeps,

Just wondering, in a nutshell, your thoughts on the Mercury Vapour Bulbs as a source of UVB for beardies. I understand they put out some pretty intense rays and a reasonable distance needs to be put between itself and the beardies.

Or would UVB tubes be a better way to go??? And are these used for basking or another type of globe???


Any info / assistance greatly appreciated. Just need to know before enclosure is constructed.


Cheers....

[hugsta]

Mercury vapour bulbs such as the ozbrights are an awesome source of UVB for your dragons. You can also use the Compact Max 10% UVB fluoros either with a reflector or without. The other option is a Outback Max 10% UVB batton style fluoro. It all depends on the size of the tank and what it is made out of. What dimensions will it be?

Check out or website for more info and prices on the UVB lights. www.strictlyreptiles.com.au

Cheers
Daz

[reptalica]

Hey there Daz,

Yeah forgot the all important dimensions. It will ideally be 1200 x 600 x 600. So the MVB will be one light......and the others?? Another for heat and recommendations??? Which are the ones that r on for approx 14 and off for 10???

Again new to all this but getting there slowly. Heard the zoo med ceramic heat lamps are ok too.

Cheers.

[Glider]

I noticed on the URS website that it doesn't recommend the use of a thermostat with mercury vapour bulbs. I assume turning them on and off all the time wrecks them.
BUT how do you regulate the temp effectively if they're on all the time??

[reptalica]

Yeah I heard the same thing too glider, definately using a thermostat is a no no as restarting them again soon after being switched off dramatically shortens their life, and thus not designed that way.

[hugsta]

Glider, they have to be run on a timer, that is their only downside. However you can't beat them for UVB in an artificial light/heat source. I run one in an enclosure that size for my ackies, it works well, but they do love extreme heat.

I would go for 2ft outback max 10% UVB tube and a 150 watt Basking Spot Globe on a B1ME microclimate thermostat. Just make sure the beardies have some branches to climb to get nice and close to the UV source. The BaskingSpot Bulbs also produce UVA which acts as an appetite stimulant.

PM me if you need any help.

Cheers
Daz

[reptalica]

Hugsta would the ozbright heat and light 160 watter be ok for my application???? They seem to be pretty popular and would address my beardies UVB and UVA needs.

Is that it as far as the lighting and heating is concerned or does something else need to be added in this area?????

[hugsta]

If you were going to use one you would only need a 100watt one. They produce more than enough heat for an enclosure that size, remembering they are not thermostated so they will get hotter than a heat source on a thermostat. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation as well.

You don't need any other souce of heat and light. Just run it on a timer.

[reptalica]

With regards to the timer.....on for 14 and off for 10 approximately??? So they dont need a general light source as well?? Sounds good just having to run the one 100 watter. The reason for all my questions is that I am very particular in making sure this enclosure will be set up right and giving my beardies (ideally 2 females) the best of conditions.

[hugsta]

Yes that's right, but you may want to set the timer so there is a break during the hottest part of the day.

[peterjohnson64]

I run mercury vapours fro my Frillies and Lace Monitors on timers. They come on in the morning and stay on all day. On new years day last year I ran a test to make sure that by leaving them on I didn't cook any animals. the frillies cage to to about 42 in the hot part and 34 in the cold and they stayed in the hot bit. In the wild lizards don't tend to get constant temperatures. Plus you have the added advantage of auto cooling for winter.

I would not use anything else in a larger enclosure (1200x600x600) probably being the smallest) for dragons and monitors. And the frillies are happy to sit about 7 inches from the globe to bask.