Compact UVB bulbs are perfect for smaller enclosures where the use of a UVB flow tube would be impractical. Compact UVB bulbs do not require any form of controller or ballast as they are self-ballasted bulbs. Compact UV bulbs emit only a very small amount of heat and their low wattage ensures they are very energy efficient.
Mercury vapour bulbs (MVB's) are combination bulbs that provide both heat and high levels of UVB into a focussed area. MVB's cannot be used with a thermostat as they have to run at full capacity in order to keep the mercury vaporised (which causes the bulb to emit UVB). Therefore Mercury vapour bulbs are most suited to use in particularly large enclosures or open topped and mesh topped enclosures where excess heat can dissipate without raising the ambient temperature inside the enclosure beyond the preferred range.
WHY ONLY ARCADIA UVB PRODUCTS?
There are many manufacturers of UVB products but the preferred brand that we use in store with all of our own reptiles and amphibians is Arcadia. After over 15 years of entrusting this brand to meet the requirements of our animals we can’t recommend them highly enough.