Mercury Vapor lamps uva/uvb

[katemcgt]

Hello, I don't see any posts regarding mercury vapor lamps, which I have been using successfully for years. I use a 160 watt uva/uvb bulb. The problem is the one I have been buying is no longer available! (Wonderlite) Does anyone have a suggestion for replacement bulbs? I have come up empty.

[raybark]

160 watts is pretty small - might make it harder to find.

Considering the fact that orchids use very little UV, if at all, that probably doesn't need to be in your selection criteria.

[katemcgt]

It sounds like small wattage but it's actually a very large bulb and requires a ceramic fixture. When I check it with my light meter it throws a substantial amount of light so the plants can't be too close to it.

[raybark]

What I meant was that by HID standards, it's a small wattage. Most you'll find are 400, 600, & 1000w.

[katemcgt]

Oh, gotcha! I'll read up on other forms of lighting. I chose this one years ago because it was reasonably economical and it's worked great. I did find similar lamps used for reptiles (eek!) and might try one of these meanwhile. I had used a grow light fixture with two 24" fluorescent lights but it wasn't as versatile. Thanks for your response.