Reptile Specialists, LLC

Description

Heat lamps are the most common way to provide heat to pet reptiles. There are day bulbs, nocturnal bulbs, and ceramic heat emitters which all fit into this category. If your house is fairly warm, a day bulb is usually enough. It should be turned off at night to provide your reptile with a day/night cycle. If your house is cool, you can use a nocturnal bulb at night. These are bulbs that the reptiles cannot see and they can be used 24 hours a day. Some people choose to use a day bulb for basking during the day and a nocturnal bulb at night, with both fixtures set on a timer. Ceramic heat emitters do not put off any light whatsoever. They can be used 24 hours a day as well. They tend to cost more than normal basking bulbs but they also last longer than a bulb so they may turn out to be more economical in the long run.

Fluorescent Tubes are a nice option as they light the entire tank. The UV rays only extend within 18-24 inches depending on the type you choose, so you need to provide climbing areas for animals to get as close to the bulb as possible. You will need to provide another bulb for heat as the fluorescents do not put out heat. The amount of UVB rays that are put out by these bulbs wears out after awhile and they have to be replaced once a year. There are also many different UV outputs available in the form of fluorescent tubes. 2.0 bulbs are mainly for lighting purposes only. Reptiles that don’t actually need UVB such as snakes and a few nocturnal lizards can use this light to help bring out colors but that’s the best benefit it offers. 5.0 bulbs are middle ground. They’re good for older animals who are not growing much and need less UVB. 10.0 bulbs put out the most UVB available in a fluorescent. They are recommended for higher UV needs such as fast growing baby lizards like bearded dragons, chameleons, iguanas, and water dragons. Turtles and tortoises also need strong UV output.

Fact sheet

Products & services

Similar companies nearby