Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Become a credit card member today!Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!APPLY NOWLearn More About Petco Pay Benefits
UVB Bulbs for Reptiles
Get It Today
UVB Bulbs
UVB bulbs are required for many reptile species to enable them to absorb and metabolize calcium that is provided in their diet. UVB bulbs come in a variety of formats—from mercury vapor to compact fluorescent and fluorescent bulbs. Your reptile's needs and their habitat setup will ultimately help you determine the best bulb to choose. UVB bulbs need to be replaced every 6 to 9 months as they will lose intensity over time. When using a UVB bulb, it is best to place them on a timer so you can keep a consistent light cycle as this bulb should imitate the natural sunlight these reptiles need—as if they were living in nature.
FAQs About UVB Bulbs
All species have individual UV requirements so it is best to research your reptile's needs. Typically if you have a tropical species, you'll want to use the 5.0 UVB bulb and desert species should use a 10.0 UVB bulb.
If using a fluorescent UV bulb, it is best to have a bulb/fixture that spans the entire length of the terrarium. This helps to ensure your reptile receives the benefits of the UV regardless of where they choose to hang out in their habitat.
It is best to replace these bulbs every 6 to 9 months since they lose intensity over time.
As a general rule, if your lizard is diurnal (awake during the day) then a UV bulb is needed. Key species that need UV include bearded dragons, monitors, tegus, skinks, chameleons, turtles and tortoises and most frogs. While some other species may not need access to UV, most can benefit from low level UV exposure. Research your specific reptile's needs to ensure you are providing the ideal environment aimed at supporting their overall health.
To simulate natural sunlight anywhere from 10-12 hours is ideal.
UVB Bulbs for Reptiles
Aquarium UV Bulbs
Reptile Habitat Heat Lamps & Basking Bulbs
Infrared Heat Lamps & Basking Bulbs
Incandescent Reptile Lamps
Aquarium Replacement Bulbs
Turtle Basking Lamps
UV Pond Filters
Basking Heat Lamps
Reptile Vitamins & Supplements
Aquarium UV Clarifiers
LED Lights For Terrarium
Best Lights For Lizard Habitats
Reptile Light Timers & Terrarium Controllers
Reptile Habitat Light Fixtures & Hoods
T-5 & T-8 Aquarium Fluorescent Bulbs
Tropical Pet Lighting
Reptile Habitat Heating & Lighting
Best Light For Leopard Gecko
Aquarium Blue Bulbs
Zoo Med Reptile Habitat Heat Lamps & Basking Bulbs
Zilla Reptile Habitat Heat Lamps & Basking Bulbs
Exo-Terra Reptile Habitat Heat Lamps & Basking Bulbs
Zoo Med Aquarium Replacement Bulbs
Zoo Med Turtle Basking Lamps
Lifegard Aquatics Aquarium Replacement Bulbs
Aqueon Aquarium Replacement Bulbs
Lifegard Aquatics Aquarium UV Clarifiers
Zoo Med Reptile Habitat Heating & Lighting
Zilla Reptile Habitat Heating & Lighting
Exo-Terra Bearded Dragon Heating & Lighting
Zilla Snake Heating & Lighting
Zoo Med Snake Heating & Lighting
Zilla Bearded Dragon Heating & Lighting
Zilla Reptile Habitat Light Fixtures & Hoods
Exo-Terra Snake Heating & Lighting
Exo-Terra Reptile Habitat Light Fixtures & Hoods
Zoo Med Reptile Habitat Light Fixtures & Hoods
Exo-Terra Reptile Habitat Heating & Lighting
Zilla Reptile Care Products
I have a 20 gallon tank for my bearded dragon and I just need to know how many watts of UVB do I need
I was wondering if there are any alternatives for my pet rabbit to get sunlight or UV light without bringing her outside. I want to make sure she gets an sufficient amount of vitamin D even if it is artificial UV light. I'm just concerned of the chance my rabbit is vitamin D deficient and was interested if I should invest in a UVB light bulb for her to compensate for her lack of sunlight.
Is it safe to use a uv reptile heat lamp for newborn puppies??
Since full spectrum growl lights for plants are supposed to mimic natural sunlight (is that correct?) then can I use that for my green anole lizard glass cage and save all that cost for a uvb light? I also have a heating pad for my back I could put under it if need be...?
I have a turtle I got as a hatchling whose shell has started to curve. I’ve read this could be due to too much protein, too weak of uv/uvb lights, or a combination that makes him grow too fast for the shell to keep up. I’m going to the pet supply store to get a new bulb tomorrow and he eats feeder fish as well as a variety (gold fish food he steals, dry meal worms, pellets from two different brands) of dry foods. How can I help him better?
If my juvenile slider turtle tank is next to a window, is UBV lighting nessesarry? (This is a wild turtle). And if it is a must, how long can they go without a UBV? (I'm am sending pics so you can see how far the tank is from the window, if you need it)
Is it safe to buy a UV Sterilizer Green killer filter for my turtles? The water gets dirty really fast and I've pretty much tried everything, but the algae keeps growing fast. The problem is that I've seen a lot of negative reviews on that filter, saying that it got their fish killed. Now, I've done some research on that and found out that that UV lights could damage both animals and humans, however the very few reviews that were written by turtle owners were positive. Is it totally safe?
Hes hanging out closer to the bottom and hes also lays down with all his legs out but 1. I'm thinking MBD but hes in a screen enclosure, 2 uvb 5.0 bulbs. 1 heat. Crickets always get dusted. He gets plenty of water, and horned worms, plus super worms. Idk what do to I dont want to lose him. I use a multi vitamin aswell.
My turtle shell has some brown spots and some of he corners of his scutes are brown and peeling. His lines on his shell are also brown. He does have a uvb and heat lamp.
Hi there. So I am looking into getting a heat dome for my crested gecko. I know they don’t have to have a heat lam but I want him to have a UVB bulb Because it’s good for them. But I am not quite sure that type to get. Any suggestions? I was looking at petco’s tropical combo pack. He lives in a 10 g. With live plant. (I will upgrade when he is bigger) also do you know an age on him? I got him 3 months ago from petsmart. I could tell he was a male a week after I got him. (Pic from yesterday)
How much greens should I feed my red eared slider with pyramiding and soft shell at a time.Should I feed both pellets and greens together in a day?Which heat lamp brand do you recommend and how many watts should I buy if the lamp is 21 cm away from the dock?
Ok so I know Loki needs 10 to 12 hrs under a uvb light but how long would he need in natural sunlight? Is it the same amount of time or do I cut in half because he is getting natural uvb? And do they still receive uvb rays in the shade? I have his cage setup where he gets morning light nd evening light nd some shade in between.