Is the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 perfect for your basking or desert reptile? Will they not overheat under its powerful light? The Zoo Med Reptisun is much loved by reptile owners, but does it live up to its hype?
The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 is a compact fluorescent lamp that has a screw base and screws into a standard clamp lamp fixture. It is self-ballasted and provides UVA, UVB, and visible light. It does not provide heat. As heat is necessary for Vitamin D3 synthesis, you need a separate heat source.
Do you need other fixtures to set up the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0? Which reptiles can use this light? In this review, we are going to discuss the features of this light as well as the pros and cons of using it. Read on to find out if this is the light for your reptile!
Table of Contents
Do We Recommend The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0?
Yes, we recommend the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 for its high output of UVA and UVB.
It is also effective in lighting the enclosure well (even though we recommend adding other light sources for reptiles that need a lot of light, like bearded dragons).
However, the reptisun was not made for heating. So you still need to provide a separate heat source for your reptile. When we tested it, the bulb got a bit warm, but this warmth is not enough for a reptile’s needs.
This light will be perfect for basking reptiles such as the bearded dragon, chuckwallas, collared lizard, Gila monster, iguana, western banded gecko, ball python, rosy boa, and many more.
Features Of The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0
We ordered online a brand new Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 mini compact, and even though it is a fragile item, it arrived safely and without damage. It was packaged securely.
The Reptisun Is Compatible With All Standard Lamp Fixtures
The bulb itself needs a lamp fixture that has an E27 socket. Even if it has a high UVB output, it does not get extremely hot, so it does not need a ceramic fixture.
You can use the Zoo Med Mini Deep Dome (see below) as a lamp fixture.
You can also secure the lamp fixture above your terrarium by using a reptile lamp stand.
Zoo Med also has one, and they recommend we use it to make sure that the light is suspended securely and will not accidentally slip directly on top of the terrarium.
This can be a good idea for bulbs that get hot, but it is not needed for the Reptisun. So we would only recommend a lamp stand if you want to hang the bulb higher.
At the same time, you can also use a terrarium hood, which makes it possible to position the light horizontally.
The Zoo Med 30 cm. Terrarium Hood can hold one Zoo Med Reptisun, while the 46 cm. Terrarium Hood can hold one Reptisun and a nightlight or daylight lamp.
The Reptisun Comes With Detailed Instructions
You need not worry when it comes to setting it up as the box comes with detailed instructions. It also includes when you should replace the bulb.
With this light, it is indicated that you should replace it after 12 months hence its warranty of one year.
However, for the sake of consistent UVB output, we recommend that you replace the bulb after 6 months as, through time and consistent use, the UVB output deteriorates.
By keeping up with the deterioration of the UVB output, you can prevent the development of Metabolic Bone Disease in your reptiles.
It is very useful that the bulb itself has a place where you can write the first use date. Therefore, you will not forget when to replace it.
Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 Lighting And UVB Output
The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 is full spectrum. It has 30% UVA output and 10% UVB output. Its fluorescent bulb is also cool burning.
Upon testing the light, it produces a white light. Keep in mind that the light is not too bright. The lighting output is just right for viewing your reptiles while they bask or do activities inside the enclosure.
The lighting does not hurt the eyes, but do not stare at it as it still emits UV radiation.
We measured the UV index with the SolarMeter 6.5 R. This device shows us how strong or weak the UV output of the bulb is.
At the same time, it shows what Ferguson Zones you can create with it. This is a well-known device that a lot of reptile owners and breeders use.
We measured the UV Index at different distances to check the UV output. The distances from left to right are as follows:
- 30 cm. or 11.8 in.
- 25 cm. or 9.8 in.
- 15 cm. or 5.9 in.
With these measurements, we can actually detail which Ferguson Zone can be created. These zones indicate the various basking temperature requirements as well as the length of exposure of a certain reptile.
These are the four Ferguson Zones:
- Ferguson Zone 1
- Shade Dweller or Crepuscular Reptiles
- Maximum UVI: 0.6 – 1.4 in the basking zone
- Zone range UVI 0 – 0.7
- Ferguson Zone 2
- Occasional Basker or Partial Sun Reptiles
- Maximum UVI: 1.1 – 3.0 in the basking zone
- Zone range UVI 0.7 – 1.0
- Ferguson Zone 3
- Partial Sun or Open Basker Reptiles
- Maximum UVI: 2.9 – 7.4 in the basking zone
- Zone range UVI 1.0 – 2.6
- Ferguson Zone 4
- Mid-Day Sun Basker Reptiles
- Maximum UVI: 4.5 – 9.5 in the basking zone
- Zone range UVI 2.6 – 3.5
| Ferguson Zone | Reptiles In That Zone |
| Ferguson Zone 1 | leopard geckos, crested geckos, tokay geckos, royal pythons, Burmese pythons, milk snakes, green tree pythons, reticulated pythons, Fiji banded iguanas, carpet pythons corn snakes |
| Ferguson Zone 2 | emerald tree monitors, Australian water dragons, green anoles, pygmy chameleons, monkey-tailed skinks, red foot tortoises, ornate box turtles, garter snakes, boa constrictors, western hognose snakes, red-tailed rat snakes, blue-tongued skink, Chinese water dragon, common musk turtle, panther chameleon |
| Ferguson Zone 3 | frilled lizard, black and white tegu, Standing’s day gecko, Indian star tortoise, Yemen chameleon, leopard tortoise, diamond python, spotted turtle, bearded dragon, green iguana, bosc monitor, painted turtle, African spur-thighed tortoise, red-eared slider |
| Ferguson Zone 4 | uromastyx, chuckwalla, Texas horned lizard, rhinoceros iguana |
While conducting the measurements, we were a bit surprised to know that the results are a bit lower compared to the output of the Exo Terra Solar Glo. You can see the difference in the outputs in our review here.
Can The Reptisun Be Used Above Screen Covers?
It is good to note that the packaging says that using screen covers may block UV rays. So we also tested the output without the screen cover to see if there is a huge difference.
Here are the measurements we took without a screen cover. As you can see, the numbers are a bit higher but not by a lot. The results are still looking good.
With this, we can conclude that you can create every Ferguson zone even without getting too near to the bulb.
Pros
- Lasts for a year (as stated in the packaging, but better to replace it every 6 months)
- Lighting is consistent
- Easy to set up
- Good UVB output
- Small and compact
- Affordable
Cons
- Has a burn-in period of 150 hours of consistent use. After that period, you need to move it closer to the basking spot to achieve proper UVB output
- Does not provide heat
- The use of a screen cover affects the UV output
What Reptiles Can Use The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0
In general, open basking or desert-dwelling reptiles can use the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0. Some owners were able to successfully use it on partial sun-basking reptiles, but the distance of placement varies, based on the proper Ferguson zone.
If your reptile is an occasional basker or a partial sun reptile, you may opt to get the Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0.
Reptiles that can use the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 are:
- Bearded Dragon
- Chuckwallas
- Collared Lizard
- Gila Monster
- Greater Earless Lizard
- Horned Lizards
- Iguanas
- Western Banded Gecko
- Side-blotched Lizard
- Ball Python
- Central Asian Pit Viper
- Coachwhip Snake
- Coral Snake
- Copperhead
- Desert Horned Viper
- Gopher Snakes
- King Cobra
- Kingsnake
- Rosy Boa
- Royal Python
- Striped Whipsnakes
- Desert Tortoise
- Western Ornate Box Turtle
Reptiles that can use the Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 are:
- Frilled dragon
- Black and white tegu
- Standing’s day gecko
- Indian star tortoise
- Yemen chameleon
- Leopard tortoise
- Diamond python
- Spotted turtle
- Green iguana
- Savannah monitor
- Painted turtle
- African spur-thighed tortoise
- Red-eared slider
Conclusion
The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 is perfect for open basking and mid-day basking reptiles. If you have a desert dweller reptile, then this bulb will benefit it.
You can place it vertically over your terrarium or horizontally by using a terrarium hood. It has good UV output, just make sure to remove the screen cover so as not to distort the output.
Keep in mind that this alone cannot serve as a heating element, so you need to purchase a separate heat source for your reptile.
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