We are frequently asked, when it comes to using Mercury Vapor Bulbs and Compact Fluorescent, can a customer simply continue using his old clamp lamp?
While, in the past, the only available fixture for these types of bulbs was a clamp lamp, customers were finding out quickly that either:
- the bulb would stick out of the bottom of the clamp lamp, and therefore such a fixture could not simply be set on top of a cage.
- If the clamp, on the fixture was used to hook up the combo, the result was a somewhat tilted basking spot, which would caused mercury vapors to burn out prematurely (mercury vapor bulbs should never be tilted or angled when turned on, or still hot).
While a Lamp Stand would help solve the situation of holding a lamp, straight up and down, over a cage, the bulb still stuck out of the bottom, with an end result of an unsightly installation, and bright light exposed, to all in the bulbs vicinity.
ZooMed has released an excellent solution to both these problems. It is called a “Deep Dome” and all 100 watt and 160 watt Mercury Vapor bulbs (and Compact Fluorescents) that we have sold, fit securely and completely inside. This allows the user to either set the unit right on top of a habitat screen top, or can be used in conjunction with the lamp stand (which is always recommended if it fits your setup), as deep domes DO NOT have clamps (rather, they have a hook).
This allows the user to somewhat control the distance of the bulb from the habitat, while not being forced to deal with any protrusions. The lamp stand, and the hook on the deep dome, allow for the combo to hang without excessive tilt, helping keep the bulb at its optimal best, and allowing the set-up to function efficiently.
Fluker’s has also released their version of the Deep Dome, called the “Sun Dome“. Both units are almost identical, and both can be used with all screw-in type lamps (Mercury Vapors, Compact Fluorescents, incandescents, and ceramic heat emitters).
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