Reptiles need heat, UVB, and bright white visible light as part of their setup to ensure good health and help them thrive. Reptiles are ectothermic, which means that instead of producing their own body heat, they depend on external sources like the sun for warmth. This heat energy is used to digest their food, maintain bodily function, and stay generally healthy. Since reptiles don't produce their own heat, we must provide the heat they need with heat lamps.
UVB is an essential wavelength naturally found in sunlight, and is beneficial for most — if not all — reptiles. UVB is critical to helping your pet’s bones stay healthy and strong, and plays a role in a variety of other essential functions.
The Zoo Med PowerSun UV is a self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb which emits UVA and UVB as well as heat! By providing more wavelengths in one lamp, the Zoo Med PowerSun UV more accurately replicates sunlight for your pet!
Instructions for Use:
Install the Zoo Med PowerSun UV in a wire lamp fixture to help prevent overheating. Place the lamp on the extreme left or right of the terrarium to create a usable temperature gradient. Pay attention to the UVI chart below, and increase or decrease the distance between the lamp and the basking area according to your reptile's specific UVB needs. An extra heat lamp like the Zoo Med Repti Tuff Halogen Lamp may be necessary to achieve the basking temperature that your reptile needs.
Replace the Zoo Med PowerSun UV every 6 months to maintain performance. For best results, use with a Zoo Med Digital Digital UV Index Radiometer or Solarmeter 6.5.
UV Index:
4" below lamp — UVI 2.6 - 3.5+
5" below lamp — UVI 2.6 - 3.5+
6" below lamp — UVI 2.6 - 3.5+
7" below lamp — UVI 1.0 - 2.6
8" below lamp — UVI 1.0 - 2.6
10" below lamp — UVI 0.7 - 1.0
12" below lamp — UVI 0.7 - 1.0
14" below lamp — UVI 0.7 - 1.0
16" below lamp — UVI 0.4 - 0.7
18" below lamp — UVI 0.4 - 0.7
Different reptiles have different UVB requirements. Check the Arcadia UV Index Lighting Guide to determine what UVI your pet needs in its basking area.
Distance is measured from the tip of the bulb to the basking area or reptile. UVI estimations are approximate. Note that UVI is reduced by 30-40% when the UVB bulb is placed over mesh screen.
