Choosing a UVB Source
There are many different options available for reptile keepers to provide UVB to their animals. Over the years, the options have become so numerous and variable some may find it difficult to decide which product is right for them.
The factors in choosing the correct UVB lighting include the type of animal being kept, the size of the enclosure, and the distance from the light source to the basking area.
Here is a chart that can help you select the best UVB lamp for your pet. For reference, this chart can be found in Zoo Med Catalogs, at www.zoomed.com, and in various other educational materials from Zoo Med Labs.
UVB Options:
Reptisun Nano Compact Fluorescent – 5w
This is our smallest UVB lamp, designed to be used with hatchlings or with animals housed in lower-height habitats. They fit in our Nano Dome and Nano Combo Dome fixtures
Reptisun Mini Compact Fluorescents – 13 Watts
These are one of our smallest UVB lamps. They are good for small habitats and have an active UVB range of 7″ for the 5.0 lamp and 8″ for the 10.0 lamp. These bulbs can be used in our Mini Deep Dome, clamp lamps, and Naturalistic Terrarium Hoods.
Reptisun Compact Fluorescents – 26 Watts
With a standard threaded base, these lamps are easy to use in our Deep Dome lamp fixtures and Naturalistic Terrarium Hoods. The UVB travels to a distance of 10″ with the Reptisun 5.0 lamp, and 12″ with the Reptisun 10.0 lamp. These lamps are used in many of our kits as they provide the correct UVB to the types of animals designated for our kits. If someone should choose to house a different species in the kit than what is recommended, the included bulb may no longer be sufficient.
Linear Fluorescent lamps are available in many different sizes and outputs. T8 lamps are one inch in diameter and are available in 5.0 and 10.0 varieties. These lamps must be used in a T8 fixture that supplies the correct amount of power.
High Output T5 Lamps, or HOT5, produce UVB that travels a greater distance. These lamps are great for use in larger habitats and for basking species that have a high UVB requirement. HOT5 lamps must be used in High Output T5 fixtures. Note that not all T5’s are HO; there are also Normal Output (NO) and Very High Output (VHO) varieties. Be sure the proper fixture and ballast are being used.
PowerSun® UV
The PowerSun® UV is a Self Ballasted Mercury Vapor bulb that provides Visible light, UVA, UVB and Heat. This bulb fits into a standard ceramic socket and does not require a ballast. The 160 Watt projects UVB up to several feet from the lamps surface, and is ideal for large terrariums or bird aviaries. The PowerSun® UV is a great choice for basking species and a simple way to provide for reptiles’ daytime lighting needs with a single lamp. These bulbs are available in 80 watt, 100 watt, and 160 watt varieties.
PowerSun® HID
The PowerSun® High Intensity Discharge (H.I.D.) is a Metal Halide lamp which emits UVA, UVB, and heat all in one lamp! This High Output UVB lamp is perfect for large habitats. The proprietary Zoo Med lamp construction creates a true flood-lamp effect, eliminating dangerous UV “hot-spots” common to other metal halide reptile lamps. This is a 70 watt lamp and must be used in the 70 watt metal halide ballast. (See PowerSun® HID Lamp Fixture.)
Reptisun LED / UVB
The ReptiSun® LED/ UVB provides your reptile with crisp white light, UVB, and UVA all in one lamp, and lets you enjoy the energy savings that cutting-edge LED lighting delivers. Our state of the art Japanese made UVB diodes are protected by a high-quality UVB-transmitting quartz glass cover with durability and longevity in mind.
- The most energy-efficient way to provide UVB
- Made with high-precision Japanese LEDs, the best in the world
- Combines UVB, UVA, and full visible spectrum lighting
- UVB-transmitting quartz glass cover for added protection and durability
ReptiSun® Compact Fluorescent UVB Lamp
- NEW SHAPE: Unique design allows for wide and even UVB output.
- ReptiSun® provides UVB, UVA, and visible light
- UVB: UVB ensures healthy bones and bodies for reptiles and helps prevent or halt the progression of Metabolic Bone Disease.
- UVA: UVA is part of the visible light spectrum for reptiles. UVA helps increase activity levels, appetite, and reproductive behaviors. Without UVA, reptiles are colorblind!
- Usable UVB up to 42” away
- Great for large reptiles including Sulcata Tortoises, Iguanas, Tegus, Monitors, Uromastyx, Water Dragons, Chuckwallas, Frilled Dragons, groups of Marginated, Russian or Redfoot Tortoises, and more.