Any reptile or tortoise needs vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium. Calcium is an indispensable and irreplaceable nutrient, it helps your pet to have strong bones.
Also with tortoise, they also need to be given calcium to make their shells healthier. Whereas calcium cannot be supplemented through the food route and the only way tortoise can get enough calcium is through UVB rays.
UVB is present in natural sunlight, but it is also present in the UVB bulb. The best UVB bulb for tortoise is the most ideal option to provide UVB lighting for tortoise at home.
There are many UVB bulbs on the market, but not all are ideal for tortoise. We have compiled a list of 10 best UVB bulb for tortoise pets at home to make your choice easier.
Top 10 Best UVB Bulb For Tortoise Review 2021
#1 REPTIZOO Energy Saving Lamps UVB Bulb
Reptizoo is a well-known and reputable manufacturer in the industry, so you can count on their products. This is a UVB light bulb for tortoise that provides the best experience for both tortoise and its owner.
This UVB bulb provides a white light containing the UVB ray ratio suitable for tortoise. It will help your tortoise have a much stronger and stronger shell. It is also an extremely energy efficient bulb compared to other bulbs of the same capacity.
It is also suitable for use with tortoise species, if you are looking for the best UVB bulb for russian tortoise then this is also the right choice, just make sure to set this bulb about 30 cm away from the pet. .
This UVB bulb has a remarkable durability and its long lifespan allows you to not have to replace the bulb too many times. It can last up to a year without damage.
The manufacturer recommends that you only use this UVB bulb for 6 to 8 hours a day to ensure it has the best efficiency and longevity.
#2 Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 Mini Compact Fluorescent Lamp
If you are looking for the best UVA UVB bulb for tortoise then never miss this bulb from Zoo Med. Zoo Med is a well-known name and when it comes to a UVB bulb, Zoo Med is always the first choice for quality products.
This UVB lamp for tortoise works very well. It is designed with quartz to maximize UVB penetration. So your tortoise will be guaranteed to receive adequate UVB levels to avoid its bone and shell related problems.
Meanwhile, this bulb also contains UVA rays. UVA is also a beneficial ray, it helps to stimulate tortoise’s appetite as well as stimulate tortoise’s natural reproductive behavior. This bulb also ensures that tortoise can absorb the right UVA rate.
You don’t need to use any separate ballasts to set up this UVB bulb. It is designed to be immediately ready to use with a variety of setups. You can also place it vertically, horizontally or at any angle, as long as it matches the enclosure setup.
#3 Evergreen Pet Supplies UVA UVB Mercury Vapor Bulb
Evergreen Pet Supplies are famous for their UVB bulbs. And this is a quality UVB bulb from them that we would like to present to you.
Although it is a specialized UVB light bulb for reptiles like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, snakes, etc, it is also an ideal uvb lighting for tortoises.
This UVB bulb is not only suitable for many different pets but it also works well with any setup. You can use it with jungle, desert setup or any other setup, it can do its job well without any restrictions.
It provides tortoise health beneficial UVB rays and it also emits a warm temperature. If your tortoise likes to bask in the sun, this UVB bulb will simulate the tortoise feeling.
It is a self-ballasted UVB bulb, so you should have no trouble setting it up in a tortoise enclosure. It has also been carefully quality tested to ensure customers receive the best products.
However, since it emits quite a large amount of heat, its lifespan is also significantly affected.
#4 LUCKY HERP Reptile UVB Compact Fluorescent Lamp
This UVB bulb from LUCKY HERP is an ideal choice for reptiles or tortoises, especially those that live in a dry environment like a desert. It will provide the most needed amount of UVB to convert into calcium for the pet’s body.
This UVB bulb does not emit UVC rays that are harmful to tortoise. It is designed to ensure your pet receives optimal UVB to support health. UVB will be emitted stably and not be blocked.
It also contains UVA which benefits tortoise’s natural behavior. Your pet will eat better and become happier. UVA rate up to 30% and it is also a safe rate to stimulate natural reproductive behavior.
This UVB bulb is manufactured with uniform quality, so you can also count on the product you receive. The manufacturer also provides quality assurance service and that will satisfy many customers.
However, this bulb is not suitable for a setup with many accessories such as jungle setup or waterfall.
#5 Evergreen Pet Supplies Infrared Heat Lamp Light Bulb
This product from Evergreen Pet Supplies is exactly an infrared heat lamp but it can also provide UVB rays in favor of tortoise. This bulb is suitable for use at night.
At night, tortoise does not need strong light like daytime. Strong light can even affect its biological cycle. Meanwhile, the UVB exposure and conversion into calcium is never superfluous.
Hence this bulb solves two problems. One is to provide proper lighting at night and the other is to provide UVB even when it is not during the day.
That means your tortoise will be UVB-supplied for many hours without disturbing the biological cycle. It is extremely suitable for young tortoise that need a lot of calcium to grow fast and healthy.
This bulb also provides a warm temperature to ensure your tortoise doesn’t get cold at night when the temperature gets low. Just make sure to set this bulb at the right distance.
However, you should and should use this bulb with closed enclosures such as a terrarium so that the heat cannot be released to ensure it works best.
#6 Zilla Slimline Reptile Fluorescent Lighting
Here is another quality UVB lamp for tortoise that you should add to your preference list. It is a product from Zilla and you must be familiar with the manufacturer.
This UVB lamp will provide the amount of UVB needed for tortoise to convert them into calcium. Unlike UVB bulbs, this lamp produces a wider spectrum and illuminates the entire tortoise enclosure.
This lamp also does not create a certain bright spot or hot spot, but it warms and illuminates the entire living space of the tortoise. As such it is ideal for use as a heat lamp, allowing tortoise to live under warm temperatures like sunlight.
It comes with the correct light fixture so you don’t need to set up any additional accessories. This UVB lamp is ready to operate instantly with minimal installation effort.
#7 Zilla UVB Fluorescent Bulb 18 inch
Here’s another fluorescent bulb from Zilla that you should not ignore. This fluorescent bulb has an amazing lifetime and it is very stable. It also comes at a low price, suitable for many wallets.
It is an 18 inch fluorescent light bulb that provides both UVB and UVA health benefits of tortoise. UVB and UVA will help your tortoise avoid bone problems and a number of other dangerous diseases. Helps with appetite and stimulates natural behaviors.
No harmful UVC rays are found in the spectrum of this bulb. So you can rest assured to use this UVB bulb.
Besides, this UVB bulb’s spectrum is specially designed to beautify tortoise’s tortoise skin color. You will see tortoise’s skin becomes much more beautiful and healthier under that spectrum.
This bulb can last for years. However, the manufacturer recommends that you change it every one year to ensure the amount of UVB remains in the best condition.
#8 Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Heat Lighting Kit
If you are a beginner and do not have much experience setting up tortoise enclosure lighting then this is the ideal and most suitable option for you. You get everything you need to set up your pet’s lighting with just one investment.
This bulb is a product from Zoo Med and perhaps we do not need to mention much about the reputation of this manufacturer. This bulb was made exclusively for turtles and especially aquatic turtles. But it is also ideal for tortoise use.
With this investment, what you will get is a powerful UVB bulb, a halogen lamp and a double socket dome. They all come with a good quality and are durable.
However this kit comes at a pretty premium price and probably many people won’t be willing to pay.
#9 STTQYB UVA UVB Full Spectrum Sun Lamp
If you are keeping many tortoises and they all live in the same large enclosure, believe me, this set of 4 pcs lamp will be your savior.
They are UVB UVA, 2 in 1 lamps ideal for use in a large enclosure. They perform extremely well and have extremely wide spectrum, ready to fully cover encloisure in light.
This bulb contains UVA 97% and UVB 3%. It also emits enough heat to make the basking lamp. It simulates warm sun with beneficial UVB.
This product comes with a 6 month warranty and you can work with the manufacturer easily.
However, many customers report that the life of these bulbs cannot be as long as 1500 hours as advertised.
#10 BOEESPAT UVA UVB 3.0 Full Spectrum Sun Lamp
This full spectrum light bulb from BOEESPAT is also a good choice for large enclosures. This will help all tortoise in the enclosure get the UVB needed to convert to calcium.
This 2 bulb set is easy to install, it is suitable for many different enclosures. Both bulbs contain both UVB and UVA which are beneficial for tortoise.
They are made from high quality quartz glass and have an ideal durability. This material is not easy to scratch and when combined with a three-dimensional convex surface reflection, UVB and UVA are intensified and strongly emitted.
These bulbs also have a good lifespan, which can last up to 1000 hours. Although not as long as some other bulbs but it is enough to work effectively for a long time.
What Wattage UVB Bulb For Tortoise Is The Best?
Besides choosing a UVB bulb that works well, there is another issue that you need to consider is the right wattage for the tortoise. There are many types of UVB bulbs, they vary in many aspects such as shape, price, material and capacity.
The right amount of power will bring many benefits to Tortoise as well as its owner. If the capacity is too low for the tortoise needs, your pet will not receive the amount of UVB needed to convert it into calcium.
But if you use UVB bulbs with too much power compared to tortoise, it will lead to many other problems. There are many UVB bulbs that emit heat, so if the capacity is too great, the radiated temperature is much greater. That could cause the tortoise to heat shock or burn.
So which wattage is suitable for tortoise? A UVB bulb with an output of 75 watts to 100 watts is the best choice. That is the capacity applied to the standard level.
If the tortoise lives in an extremely large or very small enclosure, you can also choose a UVB bulb with the right capacity. Just make sure the bulb emits no more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit and not below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Verdict
Tortoises really need a suitable UVB bulb to support their health. Tortoises cannot live without UVB as it helps tortoises to avoid dangerous bone-related diseases. It also gives them a healthy turtle shell.
Before investing any UVB bulb in tortoises, you need to consider the factors that are best suited for your pet. The most expensive products are not necessarily the best, but what is appropriate is the deciding factor.