Besides bearded dragon and crested gecko, leopard gecko is a popular reptile that many people choose to be their pets.
Although they are small in size and quite docile, the owner still needs to give it a comprehensive living environment.
Leopard geckos may not need a heating lamp but it really needs a UVB bulb. UVA and UVB are important factors in supporting and strengthening the immune system for leopard gecko. Not only that, but it also plays an important role in forming a strong skeleton.
However, choosing the best UVB bulb for leopard gecko is not easy at all. You may encounter difficulties when there are many manufacturers on the market today as well as a variety of products.
But don’t worry, we’ll help you through the Best UVB bulb for leopard gecko Review 2021 and some pieces of information.
Does leopard gecko need UVB?
As we mentioned above, yes, leopard gecko needs and badly needs UVB.
Any creature on this planet needs natural sunlight to survive and thrive. In the sun contains UVA and UVB very beneficial for the body and holistic development. Leopard gecko too, they need UVA and UVB to complement and support that comprehensive development.
When living in captivity, leopard geckos do not have many opportunities to be exposed to sunlight. That’s why a UVB light bulb is a must-have.
UVB light cannot come from any light bulbs, they are only produced from specialized UVB bulbs. UVB helps leopard gecko to absorb and convert to Vitamin D3. This is the nutrient that helps its skeleton develop holistically and comprehensively.
Vitamin D3 is a nutrient that cannot be absorbed during eating. It is only found in UVB so that you cannot use any food to make up for it. You can only help the leopard gecko absorb Vitamin D3 through a UVB light bulb.
UVA light also plays a role in stimulating appetite as well as making it easier for reproduction. UVB and UVA are two lights that usually go together.
If leopard gecko is not supplemented with Vitamin D3, it will have a lot of bone problems. The leopard gecko’s skeleton may not grow properly, leading to dangerous consequences for its life.
Top 5 Best UVB bulb for leopard gecko Review 2021
#1 Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Fluorescent Bulb – [Best Rated]
Zoo Med ReptiSun UVB Fluorescent Bulb is one of the most used UVB bulbs. Therefore, you can easily find it at any pet store or on e-commerce sites. This is one of the good quality products that we highly recommend for you.
This UVB bulb can emit the amount of UV necessary for the healthy growth of leopard geckos. It includes UVB and UVA that are beneficial to the health of pets. Your leopard gecko will improve your digestive system as well as strengthen a strong skeleton.
With a variety of size options, you can choose a UVB bulb that fits your leopard gecko tank. This product also has a significantly long service life, so you don’t need to replace it often. Price is also one of the criteria that you do not need to worry.
However, you should install this UVB light bulb at a safe distance of 12 inches. This is the best, safest distance for leopard gecko so that it can absorb UVB, UVA best.
This may make it difficult to set up a leopard gecko habitat, but it is necessary to keep your pet safe.
#2 Exo Terra Repti-Glo 5.0 – [Best capacity]
This product is a powerful light bulb that provides a powerful source of UVB for your tiny leopard gecko. It also emits UVA rays that are beneficial for stimulating appetite for leopard gecko. It is also one of the best selling leopard gecko light bulbs on Amazon.
With Exo Terra products, customers always experience the best and the most satisfied. This UVB light bulb not only stimulates appetite, supports reproduction, but it also helps leopard gecko’s skeleton and skin become healthier.
Besides this light bulb, although powerful, it does not produce harmful UVC rays. Maybe beginners won’t know this, UVC rays can damage leopard gecko’s DNA structure.
And this destruction is irreversible if you do not discover what your pet is going through. Some UVB bulbs currently on the market produce UVC, so you need to study carefully.
Meanwhile, this UVB bulb from Exo Terra is completely safe. Not only that, it is easy to install and affordable.
#3 Evergreen Pet Supplies Mercury Vapor Bulb – [Best lifespan]
If you are looking for a UVB lamp with the best longevity for leopard gecko, you should never miss this product. This is one of the best long-life UVB bulbs on this list.
This UVB bulb can last up to a year and it is significantly longer than other bulbs. Therefore, you can save a decent amount when not having to invest too much light bulbs with low life. And you do not have to have trouble changing light bulbs too often.
Not only has this long life, this leopard gecko UVB bulb can emit beneficial UVA and UVB light. And we have no reason to recommend you a UVC light bulb. Yes, this light bulb does not contain harmful light.
This UVB light can be used for many reptiles and amphibians. You also won’t have much trouble installing and using it.
The only thing that can make you hesitate is the price of this product. It seems to be more expensive than most of the products on this list. But with a long life and good quality, this is still a product worth investing in.
#4 Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 – [Best Size]
Leopard gecko are small reptiles so they live in a sack as well. Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 is a great sized UVB bulb for such small enclosure.
With this size, you will not have to invest in larger bulbs, which means a higher price. You will not have to spend too much space in the terrarium for a large sized bulb.
This bulb emits both beneficial UVA and UVB light. In which UVB light accounts for 5% and UVA light accounts for 30%. Although only 5% UVB light but through quartz glass, UVB will be enhanced penetration. This is enough UV for the healthy development of leopard gecko.
This UVB light bulb does not require much effort to install it. The standard strands also help this lamp to extend life significantly.
But it could be a light bulb not suitable for large sized shallow lakes. If you have two leopard geckos in an enclosure, it is not an ideal UVB light bulb.
#5 Exo Terra Repti-Glo 10.0 – [Best Quality]
It can be said that Exo Terra Repti-Glo 10.0 is the best quality UVB lamp for leopard geckos. This bulb is ideal for desert reptiles and the leopard gecko is no exception. It is also the top selling product on Amazon.
This product can emit strong UVB light for your pet, ensuring your pet can absorb and convert it into Vitamin D3.
Such a large amount of UVB is also guaranteed so that leopard geckos can absorb the maximum through the special design.
You can use this UVB bulb with any type of enclosure. However, you should still follow the safe distance when installing UVB bulbs for leopard gecko. Remember that even at a distance of 20 inches this bulb is still capable of providing the amount of UVB needed for the leopard gecko.
However, this product does not come with an existing lamp socket, so you have to invest more. But it also does not cost you too much money.
How to choose the best UVB bulb for leopard gecko?
Before buying any product, you need to consider carefully to avoid the wrong investment. For a leopard gecko UVB bulb, you also need to have a research and consideration of the factors to be able to choose the best product.
If you are a beginner, the experience of choosing leopard gecko products is limited, we will guide you. What you need to do is consider the following factors, from which to make the best choice.
#1 UV light
The types of UV rays that leopard gecko needs are UVB and UVA. Usually UVB bulbs are now capable of emitting UVA light, but some are not.
So you should choose light bulbs that can produce both types of light. UVA and UVB are both important, directly affecting the health of the leopard gecko, so you need to pay attention.
This 2-in-1 investment also helps you reduce the cost of investing in too many light bulbs. And you can also spend more space on leopard gecko’s living space.
You should also note that you should never choose a light bulb that emits UVC light. As mentioned above, this is the type of light that can destroy leopard gecko’s DNA. This destruction will get worse over time and you will not be able to fix the mistake.
#2 Temperature
You should note that some UVB bulbs emit strong temperatures, so you need to adjust the enclosure temperature appropriately. If the temperature of the leopard gecko cage becomes too large, it will burn and may cause other injuries.
If you use the device to raise the temperature of the leopard gecko habitat then a UVB light may emit a temperature that is not necessary. Having said that, high temperatures cause certain dangers.
You can choose one of the two leopard gecko heat sources to avoid unnecessary heat gain. Check the thermometer regularly to maintain a temperature that is most suitable for the leopard gecko.
A normal UVB light does not emit heat while ensuring that the leopard gecko absorbs the amount of UVB needed for the body.
#3 Lifespan and budget
A UVB bulb usually comes in many forms, and they do not have the same lifespan. To save money as well as effort, you should choose a lamp that has a long enough life.
Cheap UVB light bulbs often have a much shorter life span than a higher priced UVB light bulb. Do a simple math problem like this, you will spend $ 100 to invest a dozen bulbs, or invest only a UVB bulb worth $ 30 a year.
You may feel a little hesitant about a light bulb that costs a lot more than the general premises, but it’s a long-term investment.
But now there are also some products that last a long time at a moderate price. You should carefully read the specifications from the manufacturer as well as refer to the reviews of previous customers to make the best choice.
#4 Wattage
Leopard gecko is a small reptile, so you should not invest in UVB bulbs with too large capacity. This is a wasteful investment for a tiny leopard gecko.
But if you’re a fan of these powerful bulbs, you can opt for the more economical way of raising symbiotic two or three leopard geckos in an enclosure. Such a large environment would be ideal for using large-capacity UVB bulbs.
Conclusion
The best UVB bulb for leopard gecko is an indispensable device for this tiny creature. It is essential for UVB to be converted into Vitamin D3, which is beneficial for overall and healthy bone growth.
However, you should make a lot of effort and be interested in choosing the best light bulb for leopard gecko. Please consider carefully before making a decision and researching the product before making any choices. Hope the above information will help you!