What kind of UVB light do turtles need?
Michael Henderson
Published Feb 19, 2026
What kind of UVB light do turtles need?
For aquatic turtles, most experts recommend using a 2.5 percent, 3 percent, or 5 percent UVB lamp. These lamps are often called “Tropical UVB” lamps or “Swamp UVB” lamps, and are the type you should use for aquatic turtles. I suggest that you not use “Desert UVB” or 10 percent UVB lamps for aquatic turtles.
How much does a turtle UVB light cost?
Compare with similar items
| This item Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Heat Lighting Kit | Zoo Med Desert UVB Heat Lighting Kit_DX | |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | 4.6 out of 5 stars (2204) | 4.5 out of 5 stars (968) |
| Price | From $43.99 | $37.98$37.98 |
| Shipping | — | FREE Shipping. Details |
| Sold By | Available from these sellers | Pet Life Market |
Is a basking light the same as a UVB light?
Reptile Basking Lights/Spots These are simply incandescent light bulbs that have been treated to block part of the visible spectrum. They produce heat, and may affect somewhat the colors you see when looking at your reptiles. As stated above, they do not produce UVB.
What is the best basking light for turtles?
Best All-Rounder Overall, I think the best turtle basking light is the Evergreen Pet Supplies 100 Watt UVA/UVB Mercury Vapor. It emits both UVA and UVB rays, as well as heat. This is ideal for keeping your turtles’ basking platform at an adequate temperature.
Do turtles need UVA and UVB light?
Turtles need UVA and UVB light to stay healthy. There are mixed views on the importance of UVA light. Only once Vitamin D3 is present can a turtle begin to utilise the calcium they’ve taken in through food. Without absorbing UVB rays, turtles are unable produce Vitamin D3 and utilise calcium.
What is the best UVB bulb for turtles?
Best UVB light for turtles
| Name of product | Wattage | UVB output |
|---|---|---|
| Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Heat Lighting Kit | 13/100 | 5% |
| Reptisun 10.0 UVB Fluorescent Lamp | 26 | 10% |
| Evergreen Pet Supplies 100W UVA/UVB Mercury Vapor Lamp for Reptiles | 100 | 3% |
| Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 UVB Mini Compact Fluorescent | 13 | 10% |
Is a basking light UVB or UVA?
It provides the heat a basking lamp typically would, the UVA radiation a fluorescent light would, and the UVB rays other specialized lamps do. This all-in-one reptile UVA UVB lamp covers all your bases.
Can turtles get too much UVB?
Well, it is unlikely for tortoises to experience any complications from correct UV bulb light exposure. At the same time, too much exposure to UV light can be a little harmful in some situations – so, you should not overdo it.
Do turtles need UVA or UVB?
Do LED grow lights produce UVB?
Most UV LEDs actually only produce UVA light, which can be safer and less damaging than UVB. However, the reason why UVB light is beneficial to plants is because it introduces damage and the plant responds with a defense, so UVB light is ideal.
What is the difference between a basking lamp and a heat lamp?
The difference in heat is that the ZooMed bulb will create a hotter, smaller basking area, and the ExoTerra bulb, while still creating a hot basking area, will result in a broader basking area that is not as hot as the basking spot created by the ZooMed bulb.
Should I leave the UVB light on at night for turtles?
Many turtle owners wonder if they need to keep the light on in their turtle’s tank at night. Luckily, the answer to that is no. Your turtle will be just fine if the light is turned off during night time hours. It is actually recommended that they are exposed to a natural amount of light and darkness each day.
