Vivosun Mercury Vapor Bulb update

[Beardomania]

So, Mid-November, I purchased 3 new Vivosun 125W Mercury Vapor bulbs from eBay for less than $16.50 each plus tax shipped. They are guaranteed to stay lit for 13,000 hours but there is no information regarding recommendations for UVB decay rate. On the plus side, this bulb garnered highly positive reviews on Amazon with some people saying that it was tested to be equal to big brands in UVB output (I assume by solarmeter) and others saying that they had used this bulb for over a year without issues. The negative is that the bulb's distancing and UVB intensity recommendations were clearly copied from a 160W Solar Glo.

I set this bulb up 16 inches away from the basking spot in a 72 degree room producing a basking spot of roughly 107 degrees (tested by IR gun rated for medical use). My bearded dragon, a 3 year old 19 inch adult male, liked to bask at an off-center location that was about 95 degrees. He was active, brightly colored, and fed voraciously gaining weight accordingly.

About 3.5 months in, his appetite began to decrease. I did not react because this can happen with bearded dragons for no real reason and they bounce right back for no real reason. By almost 4 months, he was feeding noticeably less, and was somewhat less vibrant and less active.

A new Vivosun 125W bulb was brought in to replace the first one and within a few hours to a day, his coloration improved as well as his basking behavior and appetite. The was sustained into the following days. My conclusion is that the first bulb began to produce inadequate UVB by a little over 3 months, less than 3.5 months.

At a cost of $16.50 for 3.25 months, this amounts to an annual bulb cost of ~$56.50. In comparison, Arcadia's MVB bulb provides 1 year of service for $65. MegaRay does the same for $49 on Amazon. Powersun promises a 1 year warranty on the UVB output for ~$30 on eBay (new) or $50 from Petsmart but they are known to be finicky with the warranty and their bulbs are known to last not more than 6 months. (A friend of mine says she uses Powersun and they usually break in 3-4 months). I would say the per year cost of Powersun is closer to $100.

One issue with the Vivosun (and Powersun to an even greater extent as seen on Petco reviews) bulbs is that they are inconsistent with some people reporting that they break on first use while others saying they have been good for over a year. My first bulb was ~3.25 months so we'll see how long my second one lasts. That may take a while because as temperatures rise, I plan so switch out my 125W Vivosun for a 100W Powersun in order to prevent overheating as a 107 degree basking spot is already kinda warm. I have a 100W Powersun coming to me in the mail that a procured new on ebay for $25 and I will also see just how long that bulb lasts as well. In the meantime, I conclude so far that Vivosun isn't a waste of money, but it's also not a supersaver that would give you a year's worth of service for $16.

 

[Julee1971]

So, Mid-November, I purchased 3 new Vivosun 125W Mercury Vapor bulbs from eBay for less than $16.50 each plus tax shipped. They are guaranteed to stay lit for 13,000 hours but there is no information regarding recommendations for UVB decay rate. On the plus side, this bulb garnered highly positive reviews on Amazon with some people saying that it was tested to be equal to big brands in UVB output (I assume by solarmeter) and others saying that they had used this bulb for over a year without issues. The negative is that the bulb's distancing and UVB intensity recommendations were clearly copied from a 160W Solar Glo.

I set this bulb up 16 inches away from the basking spot in a 72 degree room producing a basking spot of roughly 107 degrees (tested by IR gun rated for medical use). My bearded dragon, a 3 year old 19 inch adult male, liked to bask at an off-center location that was about 95 degrees. He was active, brightly colored, and fed voraciously gaining weight accordingly.

About 3.5 months in, his appetite began to decrease. I did not react because this can happen with bearded dragons for no real reason and they bounce right back for no real reason. By almost 4 months, he was feeding noticeably less, and was somewhat less vibrant and less active.

A new Vivosun 125W bulb was brought in to replace the first one and within a few hours to a day, his coloration improved as well as his basking behavior and appetite. The was sustained into the following days. My conclusion is that the first bulb began to produce inadequate UVB by a little over 3 months, less than 3.5 months.

At a cost of $16.50 for 3.25 months, this amounts to an annual bulb cost of ~$56.50. In comparison, Arcadia's MVB bulb provides 1 year of service for $65. MegaRay does the same for $49 on Amazon. Powersun promises a 1 year warranty on the UVB output for ~$30 on eBay (new) or $50 from Petsmart but they are known to be finicky with the warranty and their bulbs are known to last not more than 6 months. (A friend of mine says she uses Powersun and they usually break in 3-4 months). I would say the per year cost of Powersun is closer to $100.

One issue with the Vivosun (and Powersun) bulbs is that they are inconsistent with some people reporting that they break on first use while others saying they have been good for over a year. My first bulb was ~3.25 months so we'll see how long my second one lasts. That may take a while because as temperatures rise, I plan so switch out my 125W Vivosun for a 100W Powersun in order to prevent overheating as a 107 degree basking spot is already kinda warm. I have a 100W Powersun coming to me in the mail that a procured new on ebay for $25 and I will also see just how long that bulb lasts as well. In the meantime, I conclude so far that Vivosun isn't a waste of money, but it's also not a supersaver that would give you a year's worth of service for $16.

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Hi; we rescue and rehome; here are some words of advice. 1st of all, an adult Beardie likes a temp of 95-100; more like 95-97 only. If he’s not basking or getting UVB; he won’t eat, walk or have energy & slowly MBD/death. It’s way to HOT for him, So please lower the temp & remove the mercury bulb immediately as u stated he likes it at 95. A Mercury or Powersun Bulb or any mercury bulb is deadly to the Max; thank goodness u are stationing it 16incjes away because that’s the rule but it’s never ever recommended. UVB lights in general need replacing every 6Mnths so the fact that this is a dual bulb is a big Negative. Please purchase a ZOOMED CLEAR Basking bulb for Heat & a Reptisun 10.0 T5 for UVB; the length u order should cover 70 percent of the tank & shoidl be placed starting at the Hot Side; some when he masks he gets his UvB. Also he needs a hideaway & they love hammocks the hammock can also serve as a hideaway a underneath if u place a towel over the hammock & underneath a. Soft fleece blanket which they love so he can hide/getaway. I use a powersun when he’s hanging out of his cage in an open are I oalce him on a cat bed and hang the powersun on a lamp stand & my Beardie moves or walks away after hours it gets that hot and deadly & Thats the Beardie out of his tank; imagine how yorus feels inside the tank; it’s excruciating for him. Pleaee take my advice & make the changes asap. Return all the Mercury’s u bought pet stores will give money back or credit say it’s defective. A Beardie is time amd investment & should be given the best to thrive & survive. Here’s a pic of the Reptisun to order & my enclosure UVB in the back basking in TJ e from the and hammock in the back. It’s a light & bright tank; my Beardies poop almost everyday; firm fresh poops and lots of energy of course a bit less in the winter & eat regularly.

 

[Beardomania]

I'm not doing any of that. You have your way and other people have theirs. I use a mercury vapor bulb because other people I know have raised beardies from hatchlings to healthy vibrant large adults on them. I check the areas of my enclosure with a temp gun and while the 107 focal point of the MVB is too hot, he's just fine picking the slightly off-center spots that are to his liking. He has a nice temperature gradient in his enclosure with the coolest spots about 75 degrees and I see nothing to suggest that he's suffering. With the 100W Powersun replacing the 125W Vivosun, his temps will drop a bit as well and I'll have to lower the bulb a little to compensate (although not all the way back to 107).

I like exploring ways to do things more easily and more cost-effectively. I know the basic dogma of how people recommend to raise beardies; I don't find it exciting to replicate that and I don't like people telling me that thier way is the only way, especially when it clearly is not.

 

[Beardomania]

Also, you should pick your words more carefully. You can say you don't recommend MVB from your experience, but if you say something is "deadly to the Max" when my beardie has been using it for months and is fat, active, feeding and pooping daily, (with others raising beardies from hatchling to healthy adult on it) it makes you sound silly and ignorant. And yes, you can be ignorant on beardies despite raising them for decades if you think that only your way works, causing you to spread misinformation against other methods that work as well.

 

[Julee1971]

I'm not doing any of that. You have your way and other people have theirs. I use a mercury vapor bulb because other people I know have raised beardies from hatchlings to healthy vibrant large adults on them. I check the areas of my enclosure with a temp gun and while the 107 focal point of the MVB is too hot, he's just fine picking the slightly off-center spots that are to his liking. He has a nice temperature gradient in his enclosure with the coolest spots about 75 degrees and I see nothing to suggest that he's suffering. With the 100W Powersun replacing the 125W Vivosun, his temps will drop a bit as well and I'll have to lower the bulb a little to compensate (although not all the way back to 107).

I like exploring ways to do things more easily and more cost-effectively. I know the basic dogma of how people recommend to raise beardies; I don't find it exciting to replicate that and I don't like people telling me that thier way is the only way, especially when it clearly is not.

Well we reacue and rehome so we see it all. U cannot use a powersun & a VIvoSun together. How do u justify the uvb of the powersun being replaced every 6mnths??? Uvb needs replacing every 6Mnths and NO; do not lower the powersun it’s 16plus inches away. Also most cages are 18-24 inches high lol is the Beardie basking on the floor of his cage? Just think a bit. This is even more deadly people have killed their Beardies this way & trying to save money won’t work to ensure a healthy animal/reptile u can’t cut costs at the sake of a life. My goodness are u feeding cheap mealworms too?? Come on!!

 

[Beardomania]

Well we reacue and rehome so we see it all. U cannot use a powersun & a VIvoSun together.

Who said I use a Powersun and a Vivosun together? I'm replacing the 125W Vivosun for a 100W Powersun for the hotter coming weather summer. Reading comprehension is required.

How do u justify the uvb of the powersun being replaced every 6mnths???

What do you mean how do I justify it? I buy a new one and put it in.

Uvb needs replacing every 6Mnths and NO; do not lower the powersun it’s 16plus inches away.

I'll lower it or not depending on the temps I gauge, and the behaviors I witness; not your call. Zoomed recommends a 10 inch distance for a bearded dragon when using this bulb.

Also most cages are 18-24 inches high lol is the Beardie basking on the floor of his cage?

Yes, he is. My setup is very unique. The enclosure is a large medical supplies box with an open top and lamp hood is a $8 300W capable chick brooding lamp being lowered down into the enclosure with a clamp on a table next to the box. It is too high and far away from anything for the beardy to touch. It is 16 inches off of the ground, which is his basking spot.

Just think a bit.

I've put a lot more thought into designing his setup than you have going with standard equipment.

This is even more deadly people have killed their Beardies this way

Ok, it's been really deadly. It's so deadly that he's gaining weight, moving around, drops a stool every day, and is more vibrant than the beardy in your pic. He's so dead I'm hanging out with a ghost beardy every day LOL

& trying to save money won’t work to ensure a healthy animal/reptile u can’t cut costs at the sake of a life.

Yes, I can and I can show it to work. My setup is probably the cheapest you can find with my beardy fat and healthy. People come up with ways to safely save money in every endeavor from building airplanes to running hospitals; don't go around telling people they need to spend the money you spent just because you haven't figured out a better way.

My goodness are u feeding cheap mealworms too??

Superworms, with freshly emerged superworm beetles in their soft white form. By the way, I got a killer deal on those; 2,000 large for $43 shipped! And I decided to do that because I know a person who raised a beardie from a hatching to a large vibrant adult feeding only superworms as the protein. Blasphemous! I know! That's called learning and breaking previous misconceptions.

BTW, I have a feeling that mealworms aren't nearly as bad as some people try to pass them off as but that will need experimentation and data to determine, not rumors being regurgitated to become more terrifying each time.

Come on!!

For your sake, don't make yourself look like a fool telling people with fat healthy animals that what they're doing is "deadly" and they need to do what you do. Come on! If it's working, you have no rebuttal but you can learn that there is another way that works.

 

[Julee1971]

Who said I use a Powersun and a Vivosun together? I'm replacing the 125W Vivosun for a 100W Powersun for the hotter coming weather summer. Reading comprehension is required.

What do you mean how do I justify it? I buy a new one and put it in.

I'll lower it or not depending on the temps I gauge, and the behaviors I witness; not your call. Zoomed recommends a 10 inch distance for a bearded dragon when using this bulb.

Yes, he is. My setup is very unique. The enclosure is a large medical supplies box with an open top and lamp hood is a $8 300W capable chick brooding lamp being lowered down into the enclosure with a clamp on a table next to the box. It is too high and far away from anything for the beardy to touch. It is 16 inches off of the ground, which is his basking spot.

I've put a lot more thought into designing his setup than you have going with standard equipment.

Ok, it's been really deadly. It's so deadly that he's gaining weight, moving around, drops a stool every day, and is more vibrant than the beardy in your pic. He's so dead I'm hanging out with a ghost beardy every day LOL

Yes, I can and I can show it to work. My setup is probably the cheapest you can find with my beardy fat and healthy. People come up with ways to safely save money in every endeavor from building airplanes to running hospitals; don't go around telling people they need to spend the money you spent just because you haven't figured out a better way.

Superworms, with freshly emerged superworm beetles in their soft white form. By the way, I got a killer deal on those; 2,000 large for $43 shipped! And I decided to do that because I know a person who raised a beardie from a hatching to a large vibrant adult feeding only superworms as the protein. Blasphemous! I know! That's called learning and breaking previous misconceptions.

BTW, I have a feeling that mealworms aren't nearly as bad as some people try to pass them off as but that will need experimentation and data to determine, not rumors being regurgitated to become more terrifying each time.

For your sake, don't make yourself look like a fool telling people with fat healthy animals that what they're doing is "deadly" and they need to do what you do. Come on! If it's working, you have no rebuttal but you can learn that there is another way that works.

His enclosure is a “Medical Supply Box”?? Is this a joke?? Spend the money amd buy a glass enclosure with the doors that open in the front. Beardies hate to be approached from up top, also moving the lights constantly is not recommended, nto to mention keeping the enclosure super super clean/sanitary to prevent Coccidia; have no idea how u manage to remove & clean thoroughly the daily poop reaching from the top. I speak from experience regarding the powersun; my Beardies enjoy an “80watt powersun” on a Stand When they lounge for a few hours on the cat bed looking out the window; they move amd the heat with the digital thermometer that I have reaches 109 sometimes where they lounge & that’s an open area outside of their enclosure; can u imagine what your Beardie is going thru temp wise?? Yes that’s Deadly. I hope u have a 120 gallon tank at least which is recommended for an adult; but doesn’t sound like it. Please spend some money that you have received in stimulus, or taxes & house him accordingly that’s all.

 

[Skybug]

I had mvb’s for the first year of my beardies life, I personally never had any problems, there are cruddy bulbs for shure, that can be said about any brand though, there’s always a dud, shes exceptionally healthy, i fed superworms to her as well, along with other bugs of course, ive heard of LOTS of breeders feeding superworms exclusively to baby bearded dragons down here in Florida (doesn’t mean it’s right, but doesn’t mean its wrong either they raised healthy babies) just like us humans some things are easier to digest to certain people than others, to be fair beardies probably wouldn’t be eating any of these feeders we offer them to begin with. cant we all just get along? We all have the common goal to help people who come asking for it right?

 

[Julee1971]

I had mvb’s for the first year of my beardies life, I personally never had any problems, there are cruddy bulbs for shure, that can be said about any brand though, there’s always a dud, shes exceptionally healthy, i fed superworms to her as well, along with other bugs of course, ive heard of LOTS of breeders feeding superworms exclusively to baby bearded dragons down here in Florida (doesn’t mean it’s right, but doesn’t mean its wrong either they raised healthy babies) just like us humans some things are easier to digest to certain people than others, to be fair beardies probably wouldn’t be eating any of these feeders we offer them to begin with. cant we all just get along? We all have the common goal to help people who come asking for it right?

Sky bug; Read read read and Google of taking advice is not helping. I’m here to educate for the Beardies sake. A Beardies digestive system cannot handle superworms under a year old; only after he turns a year. Also, U can never ever feed a Beardie soemthing bigger than the space between his 2eyes; he can choke & die very easily. People are not educated they get a dragon not knowing a single thing, there was a guy on another forum who fed move to a Beardie!! That’s mentally disturbing & insane to me. It’s like use your brain. Google & ask a reputable breeder or reptile vet; especially those who use red, black or orange/colored bulbs in general all day or all night for a Beardie. It’s simple; is the Sun Red, Black or Orange? Nooo it’s clear so only use a clear bulb & turn the lights off at nite & Do u sleep with a light blaring in your face??? Noo; so why should a pet or reptile have to? U have to question these people it’s unbelievable to me what humans do. It’s like how did u grow up; even without an education just use some common sense or don’t get a reptile or animal at all. Housing, supplies, food & money to be spent should be ready before obtaining a pet.

 

[Skybug]

Sky bug; Read read read and Google of taking advice is not helping. I’m here to educate for the Beardies sake. A Beardies digestive system cannot handle superworms under a year old; only after he turns a year. Also, U can never ever feed a Beardie soemthing bigger than the space between his 2eyes; he can choke & die very easily. People are not educated they get a dragon not knowing a single thing, there was a guy on another forum who fed move to a Beardie!! That’s mentally disturbing & insane to me. It’s like use your brain. Google & ask a reputable breeder or reptile vet; especially those who use red, black or orange/colored bulbs in general all day or all night for a Beardie. It’s simple; is the Sun Red, Black or Orange? Nooo it’s clear so only use a clear bulb & turn the lights off at nite & Do u sleep with a light blaring in your face??? Noo; so why should a pet or reptile have to? U have to question these people it’s unbelievable to me what humans do. It’s like how did u grow up; even without an education just use some common sense or don’t get a reptile or animal at all. Housing, supplies, food & money to be spent should be ready before obtaining a pet.

Julee its pretty clear you want to just argue, im interested in genuine exchange of conversation and not whats goin on here, you two have fun.

 

[Yvonne G]

Ok, ok. . . you came here for advice and Julie gave you the benefit of her experience. If you don't like what she said you say, " thank you. " and move on. Both of you can drop it now and let me have the last word

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Ok, ok. . . you came here for advice and Julie gave you the benefit of her experience. If you don't like what she said you say, " thank you. " and move on. Both of you can drop it now and let me have the last word

Napa I want the last word lol

 

[Beardomania]

His enclosure is a “Medical Supply Box”?? Is this a joke??

No, it's not. It's, once again, me out-thinking you and you having no idea how something different could work.

Spend the money amd buy a glass enclosure with the doors that open in the front.

Buy it for me LOL And I'll resell it on Craigslist because what I have works.

Beardies hate to be approached from up top,

He doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Have you spoken to him? LOL

also moving the lights constantly is not recommended

Never said I did.

, nto to mention keeping the enclosure super super clean/sanitary to prevent Coccidia; have no idea how u manage to remove & clean thoroughly the daily poop reaching from the top

His floor is padded with magazine pages so I just throw out the one(s) his poop is on. But mostly, he's very clean and he goes in a warm water soak every day.

. I speak from experience regarding the powersun; my Beardies enjoy an “80watt powersun” on a Stand When they lounge for a few hours on the cat bed looking out the window; they move amd the heat with the digital thermometer that I have reaches 109 sometimes where they lounge & that’s an open area outside of their enclosure;

That's your experience and that's fine. But other people have theirs and theirs works too, sometimes, better than yours.

can u imagine what your Beardie is going thru temp wise??

Yes, I have a temp gun and he has a gradient in the tank to move about. Can you imagine someone doing something differently from you and achieving equal or better results?

Yes that’s Deadly.

And he's not dead, so you've been proven wrong. And there will be plenty of that to come. Keep reading.

I hope u have a 120 gallon tank at least which is recommended for an adult; but doesn’t sound like it.

You have no idea how big a medical supply box is, do you? I haven't measured it but it's BIG.

Please spend some money that you have received in stimulus, or taxes & house him accordingly that’s all.

No, I can do it perfectly for free so I won't be spending any of my money for that.

Sky bug; Read read read and Google of taking advice is not helping.

You're not helping by giving incorrect information.

I’m here to educate for the Beardies sake.

You need to be educated first.

A Beardies digestive system cannot handle superworms under a year old; only after he turns a year.

So basically, my friend raised a beardy from hatchling to adult feeding him only superworms (small sized when he's a baby) and he is brilliant. Proved you wrong again.

Also, U can never ever feed a Beardie soemthing bigger than the space between his 2eyes; he can choke & die very easily.

Go look on Youtube for all the enormous live meals that people feed beardies and their lizards are thriving. The easiest example is hornworms. Also, several years ago, I fed my adult beardies adult 3 inch silkworms every day without any issues. I've seen babies eat while 2 inch NYC roaches no problem. Proved you wrong again.

People are not educated they get a dragon not knowing a single thing,

Kettle calling the pot black, eh?

there was a guy on another forum who fed move to a Beardie!!

That sounds pretty hard. I've never fed anything a verb before...

That’s mentally disturbing & insane to me.

Your incredibly copious incorrect advice sounds disturbing and insane to anyone who thinks and experiments instead of accepting all dogma.

It’s like use your brain.

Says the person who regurgitated "do nots" without self-experimentation, fact-checking, or learning from the experience of others.

Google & ask a reputable breeder or reptile vet; especially those who use red, black or orange/colored bulbs in general all day or all night for a Beardie. It’s simple; is the Sun Red, Black or Orange? Nooo it’s clear so only use a clear bulb & turn the lights off at nite & Do u sleep with a light blaring in your face??? Noo; so why should a pet or reptile have to? U have to question these people it’s unbelievable to me what humans do.

Who said anything about red/black/orange bulbs? You are inventing a conversation with yourself here.

It’s like how did u grow up; even without an education just use some common sense or don’t get a reptile or animal at all. Housing, supplies, food & money to be spent should be ready before obtaining a pet.

I have a PhD in medical genetics and was trained to think outside of the box instead of following dogma. Some people have to be innovative in the world, you see?

Ok, ok. . . you came here for advice and Julie gave you the benefit of her experience. If you don't like what she said you say, " thank you. " and move on. Both of you can drop it now and let me have the last word

I didn't come here for advice. I don't have a problem and I didn't ask for help. My post was done to give a report on my personal experience with a bulb so others can benefit from it when making decisions. Then Julie tried to pull a copy paste on me asking me to discard all my equipment to mirror hers despite my post clearly saying that my beardie is perfectly healthy. It's like she's trying to do a cult conversion on me! I cannot thank anyone for providing false information (beardies can't eat superworms until they're one; MVBs are deadly; beardies can only eat things smaller than the distance between their eyes) but I can correct them with evidence for others to truly learn about bearded dragons. I think this is what the forum should be about rather than people regurgitating dogma all over each other and marking as blasphemous anything that is done differently despite obvious success.