Please help -LLL reptile awaits my choice in lighting

[kaiyla]

I have three 40 gallon set ups, one for each of my beardies. I've been using the 10.0 ReptiSun but would love to try a mercury vapor uvb bulb. My question is, would that kind of bulb (say 100 watts) be too much for a 40 gallon tank? The beardies sit approximately 15" away from their light and there are mesh screens covering each tank.
Thanks for anyone who wants to help

 

[renich]

I'm partial to the ReptiSun 10.0. Can I ask why you want to switch?

 

[kaiyla]

When I used Mercury Vapor bulbs years ago, they seemed more active and looked a nit healtheir than they seem now.

 

[renich]

It could be that you need to up your heat. The MVB gives off heat and UV all in one. The reptisun is just UV.

I used them in the past and didn't care for them. It was difficult regulating the temps with the different seasons. But that is my own personal experience. I know many are fans of them.

 

[kaiyla]

I just went with the reptisun10.0
Figure I'll give the mercury bulbs some more thought before buying on a whim.

 

[renich]

Sounds like a plan. When the reptisun 10.0 has finished its life cycle, then consider the MVB