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Joined: Sep 19, 2006 Posts: 42 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:39 am Post subject: Mercury Vapor Bulbs
Ok......I bought one of these Bulbs for like 50 bucks at my pet store. Apparently they are they bently of heating bulbs. However I am having an issue with the thing staying on. It works for hours at a time and then just turns off on its own. Does anyone here have the same issue?
Also, side note what makes these things so great in the first place and is there a rule fo thumb for heating lamps for the evening hours?
Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 385 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:03 pm Post subject:
Well i am no expert on the MVBs, but let me tell you what i do know. There are two different kinds of MVBs. Externally Ballasted, and Internally Ballasted. The externall ballasted bulbs need a separate ballast box. Basically, it is a unit that plugs into the wall. Then you take your lamp that is holding the bulb and plug it into the ballast. This is most common on bulbs of a lower wattage (i.e. 60 watt). The internally ballasted bulbs are twist and go, so they don't require the assistance of an external unit.
As for them being the Beltly of heat lamps, this is because along with providing heat, they also provide a good amount of UVB. _________________ The Jay
I have plenty of experience (tho I am certainly no expert) with Mercury Vapor Bulbs. If your brand new bulb is already turning itself off after a few hours of use, I highly recommend you take it back to where you bought it. The reason it does not come back on right away is because Mercury Vapor Bulbs require a *cool down* period before turning back on.
I have used and tested about 4 or 5 different Mercury Vapor Bulbs over the past 4 years and have found the Mega Rays to be the best, hands down. They last the longest, put out the best UVB, and come with excellent customer service.
TO compare various Mercury Vapor Bulbs:
http://russiantortoise.org/uvb.htm _________________ Kris, Herps they're not just a hobby, they're a way of life!
Joined: Feb 01, 2006 Posts: 403 Location: Missouri
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject:
I have experience using MVB. When I first started using them, I based what I got off of this chart by Beautiful Dragons.
"This is the beginning of a research project that will study the output of UVB from several well-known mercury vapor bulbs and fluorescent tubes. This research will include: strength of UVB when the bulb is brand new, strength of UVB at varying distances, strength of UVB over a measured period of time, and strength of UVB through various materials (ie, plexiglass, glass, acrylic, screen mesh, plastic)."
Thats what they based their tests off of. Though they couldn't test every bulb out there, they still got a lot of them tested. The results can be seen here.
The blinking is not normal..the bulb is defective.
As far as output for this brand, I can't say first hand to be honest.
I have tested alot of MVBs with my radiometer but that brand is not one of them.
I can tell you this though...if you go to the meter readers group at yahoo and join (free) and post , asking for the results others got for this brand with their meters you will get an idea of how well the output is.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_Meter_Owners/
If your willing to spend $50 on a bulb it means you care a great deal about quality...next time your in a market for a bulb and want the best go to reptileuv.com and order a 160 watt SB megaray....you won't need a radiometer because it's been tested on an ongoing basis. It really rox as far as output and decay is the lowest on the market.
MVBs in pet stores tend to be very over priced too..so your best bet no matter which brand you go with is to stick with reptiledirect or the net in general. _________________ Yours,
NiColeRuSSell
"I'm gonna do what I should've done in the first place. I'll find her, wherever she is, tie her up, torture her... until she likes me again."
-Spike
Joined: Sep 19, 2006 Posts: 42 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject:
Thanks for the info., I will check out that megaray in the next few days and probably pick one up. I need somthing that is a bit more reliable than the one I got the other day. _________________ Chris Bisson
New2Tegu06
Huntington Beach, CA
0.0.1 Argentine B/W Tegu
"I believe that my purpose in this world is to save wildlife, and I thank you for coming with me." -Steve Irwin
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