Metal halide for UVB?

[kittyhazelton]

I am curious if anyone has done this before for their herps in big enclosures (tortoises, crocodilians, large monitors, etc.) In looking at some of the zoo setups, you do not see the usual basking lamps but generally some sort of metal halide looking fixtures that are mounted up much higher in the enclosure.
As I begin to spend the rest of my winter remodeling the new reptile room I have several very big enclosure projects to take on: Sulcata tortoise winter den, American Alligator, and 2 large iguana arboreal habitats. In the past I have always just used regular ceramic heat lamp fixtures and either the mercury vapor bulbs for heat/uvb or fluorescent UVB & basic heat bulbs and/or heat pads, but of course the down side to this being the distance you can mount the bulbs, the surface area that they cover, etc.
I am just curious if anyone here has used these types of bulbs for their enclosures, pros/cons, cost to assemble, specific products that you recommend, etc. Would love to hear your input.

 

[A. gigas]

From what I have heard, metal halide bulbs are about the best basking lights you can get. They heat very well and provide a light that more accurately simulates sunlight. The downside is that they are expensive and difficult to set up. Most also require an external ballast.

 

[Edwardo]

Never used them,
I was told, one of the reasons you see metal halide light set ups in large zoo enclosers is because they throw out an incredibly bright and intense UVA spectrum type or light, kinda like mid day sunlight.
Its better for public viewing.

 

[turtlepower]

i would say mercury vapor best for non zoo sized enclosures