Mercury bulbs

[Jenminer]

Hello, so I've read on this forum that compact and spiral uvb bulbs place a baby tortoise at risk for blindness and discomfort. Can't have that. I agree that the best uvb source is natural sunlight, but I live in Northern Ca so that's not going to be a year round option. Which mercury vapor bulbs have proven the most reliable?

 

[wellington]

I like the power Suns.

 

[Alexio]

I like the mega-ray brand.

 

[Jenminer]

How often does the mega-Ray need to replaced?

 

[Alexio]

Its hard to say specifically. Unfortunately UVB bulbs are one of those things that 3 Bulbs on the shelf that are all of the same brand may produce UVB for different lengths of time.
I have a friend who works for an exotic pet store nearby and he owns a UV meter and said he has mega-rays that are still producing good UVB a full year later.
But without a UV meter there is no sure way to know if a particular bulb is still producing UVB.

 

[Jenminer]

I guess based on that info I would replace the bulb once a year. Thank you