"Project UVB" Zoomed Powersun UV

Bulb Test 6

Brand: Zoomed
Model: Powersun
Price: $43.95
Wattage: 160 watt flood
Type of bulb: mercury vapor
Special equipment: ceramic or porcelain socket rated at 250 watts or higher
Manufacturer recommended replacement: 10,000 hours or up to two years
Manufacturer recommended distance from bulb: minimum 6"

This bulb was donated by Rob Talkington. Rob also donated a Capture the Sun 160 watt flood bulb.

I currently have this bulb in Houdini's enclosure. Uro's are heat loving reptiles and like it a little warmer (120 - 130 degrees) than beardies. This bulb does produce quite a bit of heat (at 15 inches away from the basking spot, it gets up to 105 - 110 degrees). But all you have to do is raise the bulb farther up if it gets too warm.

I will continue to test this bulb on a monthly basis.

Note: Just like the T-Rex Active UVHeat bulb, this bulb also has "UVB hot spots" where the UVB is at its greatest intensity. The center of the bulb doesn't seem to be the spot where the intensity is the greatest, although it is relatively high. For example, if I move the UVB meter just an inch or so from the center of the bulb the UVB readings jump all over the place. So, I think that the easiest way to measure the intensity is to measure from the center of the bulb. This bulb was brand new on October 10, 2003.

For more info on ultraviolet light you might want to look at the following websites.

Ultraviolet Light and Radiation

Lighting and its use in Herpetology by Matthew R. O'Brien (PDF)