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Hey guys,

I have a tank setup with a Mercury Vapor Bulb and it has been going poorly to say the least. I am not sure if the problem is with me or with the bulbs but I need some help to try and find out where the problem seems to be of if its just bad luck.

I purchased a ZooMed Powersun 100w on Jan 1st and about a month later it went out and all I saw was a burn spot on the side pictured here.



I bought a new one of the same kind and after about 4 hours of use almost the exact same thing happened but this time worse, the glass cracked and it looks like a hole melted through in the same exact spot of the last bulb.


My set up is a zoo med deep dome with is supposedly good for up to 160w hanging straight down on top of the turtles basking platform about 14"-16". I am not sure if the fault is with the company of with my setup. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm curious for the answer too, I would like to get an MVB.

Welcome to the site. Most domes shouldn't be a problem and I'd try to get your money back. There are not a lot of good choices for MVBs right now, although the PowerSun seems to be one of the better one. I know that doesn't say much but a regular basking bulb and fluorescent UVB are more reliable.

Here's the warranty info: http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/Entry ... earchID=20

What is so unreliable about them Steve? Seems like a great 2-in-1 idea. Better to keep my current set up? I'm concerned my heat lamp isn't getting hot enough but obviously that's an easy fix to just switch out that bulb, anything you recommend there?

i think going 0 for 2 has a something to do with the MVB being unreliable.
@xfallwithmexo you could try using higher wattage for the basking bulb.

@ xfallwithmexo - concept-wise, they're great. Plus they put out far more UVB than a fluorescent. It's just they're have been a lot of manufacturing problems from nearly all the top manufacturers. It's taken a huge step or two backwards. What are you using for a heat lamp now?

@ Gracie Turts - If the bulb was bought from the same store, it could be a bad lot. It's a pretty big defect that would make me nervous.

The bulbs were from two different stores. Maybe its just the timing that the bulbs were from a bad lot. Not sure what is going on with them.

There might be more info on the actual bulbs or packages (regarding lot #s, production dates, etc) but I'm not sure if you were able to get them. Either way, I would look to a safer alternative to MVBs right now. I think Powersuns had defects when the first came out a few years ago, but have not heard anything recent.