Re: Mercury Vapor Lights

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Posted by Mr. D on May 23, 2002 at 13:12:12:

In Reply to: Mercury Vapor Lights posted by Becky on May 22, 2002 at 20:46:27:

More likely than not I'm familiar with the author (s) of the "bad press" that you've read. From conversations I've had with various individuals, at least one author was offered a bulb to examine and use and she refused to accept it. Everything I'm going to say is strictly my own opinon and based on our experience with the bulbs and our own testing. How's that for a disclaimer....;)

Yes, there can be a concern as far as too much heat being produced by the bulbs. Read into that that in no way should they ever be used on a 10g tank. Personally, we don't use them on anything less than a 55g.

As far as UV amounts, even at 2" from the surface of a 160w flood PowerSun it only produces 72 microwatts/cms of UVB radiation. Hang on, I'll be right back....Just took a reading on my back porch. In NH, at 1:54 p.m. 5/23/02 the UVB reading was 255 microwatts/cm2 measured with a Solar Tech 6.2 UVB radiometer. That being the case, having never been directly on the equator and equipped with a radiometer, I can only assume that UVB readings on or near that lattitude will be much higher. Even so, without breaking out what "official" research does exist if 255 microwatts/cm2 does no immediate damage to humans then even half of that amount shouldn't do any damage to an animal better designed to handle UVB radiation in the wild.

It all comes down to common sense, really. To me, the mv bulbs are (currently) the perfect choice to use for UV exposure - provided that the enclosure is large enough. In fact, for anything resembling a large enclosure, we tend to recommend an mv bulb for UV and basking, a radiant heat panel & temp controller for 24 hour ambient temp control, and a Vicks ultrasonic humidifier for humidity control. Right now, those pieces of equipment seem to be the best choice for the dollar - not necessarily the "cheapest" but best overall value.

If I can be of more help or didn't quite give you what you're looking for please feel free to drop me a line directly if you'd rather....;)

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: More likely than not I'm familiar with the author (s) of the "bad press" that you've read. From conversations I've had with various individuals, at least one author was offered a bulb to examine and use and she refused to accept it. Everything I'm going to say is strictly my own opinon and based on our experience with the bulbs and our own testing. How's that for a disclaimer....;) : Yes, there can be a concern as far as too much heat being produced by the bulbs. Read into that that in no way should they ever be used on a 10g tank. Personally, we don't use them on anything less than a 55g. : As far as UV amounts, even at 2" from the surface of a 160w flood PowerSun it only produces 72 microwatts/cms of UVB radiation. Hang on, I'll be right back....Just took a reading on my back porch. In NH, at 1:54 p.m. 5/23/02 the UVB reading was 255 microwatts/cm2 measured with a Solar Tech 6.2 UVB radiometer. That being the case, having never been directly on the equator and equipped with a radiometer, I can only assume that UVB readings on or near that lattitude will be much higher. Even so, without breaking out what "official" research does exist if 255 microwatts/cm2 does no immediate damage to humans then even half of that amount shouldn't do any damage to an animal better designed to handle UVB radiation in the wild. : It all comes down to common sense, really. To me, the mv bulbs are (currently) the perfect choice to use for UV exposure - provided that the enclosure is large enough. In fact, for anything resembling a large enclosure, we tend to recommend an mv bulb for UV and basking, a radiant heat panel & temp controller for 24 hour ambient temp control, and a Vicks ultrasonic humidifier for humidity control. Right now, those pieces of equipment seem to be the best choice for the dollar - not necessarily the "cheapest" but best overall value. : If I can be of more help or didn't quite give you what you're looking for please feel free to drop me a line directly if you'd rather....;)

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