If You’ve Never Replaced Your UVB Light, You May Be Harming Your Reptile – The Tye-Dyed Iguana

Photo courtesy of Xavier Jijón

Diurnal reptile species require a UVB light bulb to get appropriate heat and lighting for their health. At the Tye-Dyed Iguana, we only sell these species with a UVB light or after testing your existing bulb to make sure the animal gets the lighting it requires.

Why do we test?

Because UVB lights can lose their effectiveness (UVB output) even when visible light is still being emitted from the bulb. You can’t see UV light, so without a test, you won’t know if your bulb is actually working as it should. Over time, all bulbs decrease in UVB emissions.

You may be wondering how long bulbs last. The short answer is about 6 months to a year, depending on the type. Read on to find out more about when to replace UVB lighting for your reptiles.

Types of UVB lights

There are a couple of different types of UVB bulbs, coil bulbs and mercury vapor bulbs. Which type you purchase will determine the probable lifespan of UVB emissions from the bulb.

Coil UVB lights

Coil lights are affordable and provide a sufficient light spectrum for many exotics that require UVB. You can get coil lights in various outputs to accommodate the needs of your herp and the size of the enclosure.

The downside to coil bulbs is that they will need to be replaced sooner. Although they usually last around 6 months, they may wear out as quickly as 3.

Mercury vapor UVB lights

Mercury vapor bulbsare higher quality than the coil bulbs. Additionally, many of them provide full spectrum lighting, meaning you don’t need to buy multiple bulbs for UVA, UVB, and basking heat (all necessary for many species).

These bulbs are becoming more affordable, though you’ll pay a bit more than you would for coil bulbs. The payoff is that they typically last longer, with up to a year of UVB output.

How to know if UVB bulbs are effective

The only way to know for sure if your bulbs are still good is to use a UVB tester. It can be somewhat expensive, but it’s a great long-term investment in the health of your exotic pets.

If you don’t have a UVB tester, find someone in your local exotic pet community who does, and ask to use theirs.

Why diurnal reptiles and amphibians require UVB

UVB light is essential for bone health in diurnal reptiles and amphibians. It increases their vitamin D production, which helps with calcium absorption for strengthening bones. In the wild, they get this from sunlight, but even near a window, it’s difficult for them to get enough sunlight indoors. Proper lighting prevents metabolic bone disease, which can make it difficult for your animal to move around or eat.

When you purchase an exotic pet at The Tye-Dyed Iguana, we make sure you either purchase the appropriate UVB light or bring in your existing light for testing. Ask to get your UVB lights checked at the shop the next time you’re in.