PLEASE READ BEFORE USING YOUR SunForce BULB!!!
WARNINGS ABOUT IGNITION TIME
Your new “Sunforce” mercury vapor bulb may not light up the moment it is turned on. Due to the architecture of mercury vapor bulbs
it can take several minutes for the bulb to light up. The same thing will occur once you turn the bulb off, it will take up to 10 minutes
for the bulb to turn back on. Our bulb is equipped with a sensor that shuts the bulb off if it becomes too hot. Thus, you should allow a
15 minute cool down period between firing. Again, this is a safety mechanism and NOT a defect in the bulb.
OTHER SAFETY WARNINGS
You should only use this bulb in a vertical position in a fixture that has a ceramic socket that is rated at 160 watts or higher. Since
this bulb produces strong UV light is important not to look directly at the bulb. Although you may look at it through glass or plastic
since this filters out the UV light. Do not use this bulb for any other purpose than with live reptiles and amphibians. Since these lamps
produce very intense heat, never allow a reptile to touch them. Water splashes may cause the bulb to break, so avoid any potential
contact with water. If your bulb becomes damaged in any way you must safely dispose of the bulb. The minimum recommended
distance from a SunForce bulb (70, 100 or 160 watt) to your reptile should be 12 inches when the bulb is placed above a screen. This
distance should be increased to 18 inches for applications where a screen is not utilized. Discontinue use of bulb if you see any signs
of UV overexposure in your reptile.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETUP AND USE
Use your “SunForce” bulb like any heating system, that is you should always allow the proper thermal gradient within your cage.
Therefore, you should position the bulb either to the extreme right or left side of the cage. This will allow your reptile to have a cool
area away from the lamp. Ideally, there should be an area in the cage which is 18" to 24" away from the lamp. You should also
include areas in your enclosure where there is shade or a hiding place.
SunForce bulbs are self ballasted Mercury Vapor bulbs so they will screw into a standard socket. We recommend using either a
porcelain socket in the ceiling of your cage or the 10" deep dome reflectors that are rated at 160 watts which are located in our
fixtures and hoods section of our website. However, due to the bulb housing size as well as the super high output of light intensity and
heat levels you will need to clamp your fixture, hang your fixture or use a lamp stand. These bulbs if housed in a dome cannot be
rested directly on top of a screen or other surface. Note: SunForce bulbs will project UVB & UVA more than 30 inches depending on
the wattage that you select.
Remember, this is a day bulb only, therefore, you will typically need a second heat source such as an Intellitemp Heat Mat, Dragons
Lair Heat Mat or Desert Rays Radiant Heat Panel. These secondary sources are particularly useful at night when you have shut off the
“SunForce” bulb.
WHAT DOES THE SunForce BULB DO?
SunForce Mercury Vapor bulbs produce UVB, UVA, LIGHT and HEAT and are available in two flood style wattages. Both of these
bulbs provide high levels of UVA and UVB (see reports below) making them one of the most effective methods of simulating natural
sunlight and heat. This simulation not only provides ideal levels for optimum health but can actually have life saving benefits.You
should not be surprised if you see immediate changes in your reptile once you begin using a SunForce Vapor bulb. Often reptiles
under these bulbs will have an increase in appetite and an increase in healthy coloration.
HOW MANY HOURS SHOULD I HAVE THE BULB ON MY REPTILE?
There are a number of variables which will determine this. Some of those variables are the size of the enclosure, the type of reptile
and the wattage of the bulb. However, the easiest way to determine the proper exposure time is to carefully watch your reptile. We
recommend that you start with an 8 hour exposure time and then watch the amount of time your reptile basks. If your reptile attempts
to hide or goes to the other side of the aquarium then you should either limit the exposure time or increase the distance from your bulb
to your animal. The bottom line is that the behavior of your reptile will ultimately determine the exposure time that best suits it.
WHEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY BULB AND HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY?
The general life expectancy of these bulbs is approximately 8 months. However, as with all mercury vapor bulbs the quality of the UV
begins to deteriorate as it ages. Thus, we recommend that you replace the bulb somewhere between 6 months and 8 months of age.
SunForce Mercury Vapor bulbs are guaranteed to be free from defects with a 180 day pro-rated warranty. Warranty does not apply to
a bulb sold outside the US. Replacement cost is calculated at a cost of $6 per month (or fraction thereof) of ownership. You must
establish the purchase date with a dated sales receipt. If your bulb fails for any reason just call us toll free at 800-92-APPLE or e-mail
us at [email protected] and we will instruct you with the return procedure.