are metal halide lights good to use with reptiles, to get the uvb, and uva they need??

Question

I would like to use a 400w with my tortoise so i could grow some dwarf banana trees too
just wondering how much uvb light it gives off\
can anyone provide me with some helpful links

Answer 1

Metal halides give off a fair amount of UV but most of it in the UVA range. There is a small but usable amount of UVB production,depending on what species you are keeping. You will get much more UVB output with the MV bulbs designed for reptile keeping. The sleeves on those are designed to emit the UVB rather then absorb it. Metal halides are marketed for different applications such as marine tank lighting but those are also designed to reduce the UVB as it is not beneficial to fish and corals. This link compares some of the different lighting available
http://www.anapsid.org/gehrman2.html