Zoo Med Powersun UVB Mercury Vapor Lamp

The Zoo Med PowerSun UV is an amazing self - ballasted mercury vapor bulb. It's like having two great features in one. First, there's a standard incandescent filament that lights up right away. This lamp is a real all - in - one deal as it provides essential UVA, UVB light and heat. It's a self - ballasted mercury vapor UVB bulb that plays a crucial role in keeping your reptiles healthy by warding off metabolic bone disease. Then, there's a mercury vapor arc tube that takes a few minutes to heat up. Once it's fully warm and working, you'll notice a clear change in color. Since it's a self - ballasted bulb, you can use it in any ceramic socket that can handle the wattage. The PowerSun UV has nickel - plated threads, which means it won't corrode in the humid habitats of reptiles. It also has a unique short - neck design, different from other mercury vapor lamps, allowing it to fit well into 'clamp lamp' type fixtures. This lamp projects useable UVB radiation up to 6 feet, much farther than conventional fluorescent tubes. It's perfect for large enclosures and reptiles that need a lot of UV. Moreover, it offers increased intensity (50W/cm2 UVB!) and heat. UVB radiation is the safest and most effective way to ensure proper vitamin D3 levels in captive reptiles, and the PowerSun UV will emit significant UVB for its average 10,000 - hour life (over 2 years with normal use).

Using the Zoo Med PowerSun UV lamp is quite straightforward. First, make sure you have a ceramic socket that can handle the wattage of the lamp. Simply screw the lamp into the socket, and the incandescent filament will light up immediately. The mercury vapor arc tube will take a few minutes to heat up, and you'll see a color change when it's fully working. When setting up the lamp, place it in a suitable position in your reptile's enclosure. Since it can project UVB radiation up to 6 feet, it's great for large enclosures. Just ensure it's not too close to your reptiles to avoid overheating. As for maintenance, keep an eye on the lamp's condition. If you notice any cracks or significant dimming, it might be time to replace it. The lamp has a long lifespan of about 10,000 hours (over 2 years with normal use), but regular checks are still important. Also, because it has nickel - plated threads, it can withstand the humid environment in reptile habitats, but still, avoid getting it wet directly.