Reptile equipment
Reptile UVB Lighting
UVB drives vitamin D3 synthesis, which drives calcium absorption. Incorrect lighting is the leading husbandry cause of metabolic bone disease in captive reptiles.
What matters
- UV index at basking height
- Match the species' natural Ferguson zone, measured with a UV meter rather than guessed.
- Lamp type
- Linear T5 tubes deliver a usable gradient across the enclosure; compact coils cover too small an area.
- Distance and mesh
- Fine mesh can block 30–50% of UVB; account for it when setting height.
- Replacement interval
- Output falls long before the lamp stops emitting visible light — usually replace every 6–12 months.
- Fixture reflector
- A polished reflector can roughly double usable output.
Types and options
T5 HO linear tube with reflector
Best for: Bearded dragons, tortoises and most diurnal species
Watch out: Needs the correct percentage output for the species and enclosure height
Mercury vapour bulb
Best for: Large enclosures needing heat and UVB from one source
Watch out: Cannot be thermostat-controlled, so heat and UV cannot be tuned separately
No UVB (crested geckos, many snakes)
Best for: Crepuscular and nocturnal species fed complete diets
Watch out: Low-level UVB still appears to benefit many of these species
Buying notes
Write the installation date on the lamp with a marker and diary the replacement. A working-looking lamp emitting no UVB is the most common cause of preventable reptile illness.