Im looking for a clear self ballasted mercury vapor bulb, any wattage or voltage will do. Thanks!

Here’s a 250w one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PREMIUM-QUALITY-SELF-BALLASTED-METAL-HALIDE-LAMP-250W-E40-5000K-HYDROPONICS/282148018706?hash=item41b1551a12:g:w0gAAOSwd0BVuRxf

And here’s a 400w one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PREMIUM-QUALITY-SELF-BALLASTED-METAL-HALIDE-LAMP-400W-E40-5000K-HYDROPONICS/282148014398?hash=item41b155093e:g:c2UAAOSwPcVVuSIJ

Pay no attention to the fact they say that they are metal halide lamps; they are some random chinese bulb that is incorrectly labeled. Several members here have them and can confirm that they are indeed self ballasted mercury lamps.

Those lamps you linked are 240v which could be problematic.

Here’s a 250w one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PREMIUM-QUALITY-SELF-BALLASTED-METAL-HALIDE-LAMP-250W-E40-5000K-HYDROPONICS/282148018706?hash=item41b1551a12:g:w0gAAOSwd0BVuRxf

And here’s a 400w one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PREMIUM-QUALITY-SELF-BALLASTED-METAL-HALIDE-LAMP-400W-E40-5000K-HYDROPONICS/282148014398?hash=item41b155093e:g:c2UAAOSwPcVVuSIJ

Pay no attention to the fact they say that they are metal halide lamps; they are some random chinese bulb that is incorrectly labeled. Several members here have them and can confirm that they are indeed self ballasted mercury lamps.

I've seen those, but I'm not sure if they would work for me since they're hybrid/blended halogen bulbs

All SBMV lamps are hybrid/blended because the tungsten filament is the ballasting element. Mercury arc tubes need a ballast which can be reactive (core and coil) or resistive (tungsten filament).

If you’re looking for pure MV light, then you need a clear standard MV lamp and an external ballast.

All SBMV lamps are hybrid/blended because the tungsten filament is the ballasting element. Mercury arc tubes need a ballast which can be reactive (core and coil) or resistive (tungsten filament).

If you’re looking for pure MV light, then you need a clear standard MV lamp and an external ballast.

Are even the older models blended? Like the fluomerics and iwasakis?

Yes, all self ballasted mercury lamps (those that run directly on mains) are blended because there needs to be a filament to act as a ballast. The only exception are the self-ballasted metal halide which have a small electronic ballast built in. However, those are not what you're after...

There is no escaping a ballast : the arc tube will destroy itself in a fraction of a second if there is no ballast. Either the ballast is a filament such as SBMV or a standard ballast separate from the lamp.

I believe most people who collect insects at night prefer a standard clear mercury vapour lamp, which of course requires a separate ballast.

Yes, all self ballasted mercury lamps (those that run directly on mains) are blended because there needs to be a filament to act as a ballast. The only exception are the self-ballasted metal halide which have a small electronic ballast built in. However, those are not what you're after...


There is no escaping a ballast : the arc tube will destroy itself in a fraction of a second if there is no ballast. Either the ballast is a filament such as SBMV or a standard ballast separate from the lamp.

I believe most people who collect insects at night prefer a standard clear mercury vapour lamp, which of course requires a separate ballast.

Okay thanks. I'll probably buy some of those then though I'm still looking for other models, my favorite being the fluomeric 750w though those are very rare. Also a lot of insect collectors do use SBMV and not regular ballast.