UVB Mercury Vapor Bulb - Recommended by the Reptile Zoo

Status
Not open for further replies.

Oxalis

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
3,040
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
I recently visited the Reptile Zoo in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and talked to their specialist on Russian tortoises. They have a nice Russian enclosure there, in my opinion. :D In their small store, they are offering a $35 UVB mercury vapor bulb (125W), which they said is currently preferable for Russians. Exo Terra and Zoo Med make the most affordable of these bulbs, and the cheapest one I see now on Amazon is from Exo Terra for a few dollars less than the Zoo offers. I was told to hang the light about a total of 30 inches from the tortoise's height, as my tortoise table will probably be a surface area of a few feet x a few feet (haven't been able yet to measure the exact amount of available space). It sounded like I'll also need another bulb just for the heat? He also told me the fluorescent bulbs may cause eye problems and cataracts in Russians (i.e., there is evidence but nothing substantial yet). It sounds like the employees at this Zoo truly care about reptiles and support the public in giving their animals the healthiest and happiest lives. Unlike pet stores, they do not sound like they're out to just make money.

Does this sound OK or should I make some adjustments before I build my tortoise table? Thanks! :p
 

jerm42991

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
60
The curly florescent bulbs are bad, but normal straight tube ones are fine.

As for distance, it entirely depends on substrate, area, and how hot you want it to be. Best thing to do is get a temp gun, and raise and lower the bulb until you get the desired temperature.

Depending on how big and if it is a open or closed chamber will determine if you need a second heat bulb or not. Ceramic heat emitters(CHEs) work very well.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
A Mercury Vapor Bulb puts out heat and UVB. Is this what you're talking about? If so, I think 30" is too high to have any of the heat reach the back of the tortoise.
 

mikeh

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
1,050
Besides heat, I would be skeptical about the amount of UVB reaching 30" mark. For reference Zoomed 100W MVB puts out about 60mw at 15" (after burn in period), which is shade equivalent.

sent from mobile device using TFO app
 

Oxalis

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
3,040
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
I'm thinking now to be sure to I attach my lamps to something that allows me to move them to adjust the temperature.
 

Oxalis

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
3,040
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
How big of a dome lamp should I get for this bulb? I see an 8.5'' one that says it works up to 150 W. Is this too big? Should I go with the smaller 5.5''?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top