frank rose
Member
will any sort of mercury vapor bulb do or do I need one that is specifically for pets?
You need an MVB for reptiles if you're using it for UVB output to guarantee that your tort gets UVB of the correct frequency.will any sort of mercury vapor bulb do or do I need one that is specifically for pets?
You need an MVB for reptiles if you're using it for UVB output to guarantee that your tort gets UVB of the correct frequency.
I have a mercury vapor bulb over my side door and it has a light sensor so it comes on automatically at dusk and goes off in the morning. I really doubt that bulb puts out any UVB. What you want is a mercury vapor bulb that puts out ultraviolet 'b' light.
This might help explain it:
http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/docs/why-cant-use-commercial-mercury-vapor-bulbs.pdf