mercury vapour bulbs

[white]

do these give off uv?

[angela__k__84]

Yes. They do.

[white]

the voltage of the bulb is higher than the holder,does that matter?

[Mrs Mental]

Yes it does matter - you need to use a holder that is capable of taking the bulb without it blowing up or burning out. Please please do check really carefully love as it could prove dangerous.

[white]

damn it,don't know what to do know

[Fozz]

There's shed-loads on ebay....I think the most expensive was just over a tenner or go to a rep shop.....

[Mrs Mental]

I think you'll need a ceramic holder - Kimbos Reptiles online or somewhere similiar and they'll be able to sort you out. If you order it today you should have it in 2 days or maybe you can get the right one at a local pet shop - you could use a normal desk ligh with a spotlight bulb in for a couple of days while you wait for the new fitting to come but please dont take a chance with the other one as it could prove really dangerous. The tortoise would be okay without UV for a day or so if it was an emergency lovey

[white]

i have one put the the bulb and holder have different voltage

[Mrs Mental]

Whats the voltage for each then?

For instance if you buy a lamp from B & Q it normally has a sticker on the inside bit saying 'do not use higher than 60 watts - so if I put a 100 watt bulb in it that would be wrong and it'd either blow up or melt yes?

So the same would apply to what you're doing - to me it'd be like putting a square peg in a round hole, it'll fit but it wont be right.

[Fozz]

If the wattage of the socket is higher than the bulb, the bulb will blow....If it's lower than the bulb, it will either blow or in most cases just not work.....