• Desert-strength UVB (10.0 output) — matched to species that bask in open, direct sun: bearded dragons, uromastyx, desert skinks and sulcata-type tortoises.
• Self-ballasted, standard screw fitting — no separate ballast or transformer, fits the compact fluorescent sockets already in most hoods and fixtures.
• 13 W or 25 W — the 25 W bulb pushes useful UVB further into a taller basking enclosure; see the output table below before choosing.
• Rated through denser screens — Exo Terra notes a dense screen top can filter up to 50% of UVB output, so screened setups need a closer mounting distance than an open-top enclosure.
• 12-month replacement interval — Exo Terra's own guidance, backed by its "Restore The Rays" reminder programme.

Exo Terra grades its compact UVB bulbs by output strength, not wattage alone. Match the strength to how your species basks in the wild, then use wattage to reach the right distance.

Suitable for desert and semi-desert reptiles that bask directly in strong sun in the wild: bearded dragons, uromastyx, many agamids and desert tortoises.

Not the right strength for forest and shade-dwelling species — many geckos, tree frogs and forest tortoises are adapted to lower UVB and are better served by the UVB100. Overdriving a shade species with desert-strength UVB at close range is a real risk, not just a waste of the bulb's output.

Exo Terra publishes irradiance in microwatts per square centimetre (µW/cm²) for this bulb, not a UV Index reading. If your setup needs a confirmed UV Index figure, measure it on site with a calibrated meter such as a Solarmeter 6.5R — irradiance alone cannot be safely converted to UV Index without one.

Exo Terra states an effective range of 50 cm for this line; the table shows why — UVB is still meaningfully above background out to 70–80 cm at both wattages before tailing off. A dense screen top can filter up to half the UVB reaching the basking spot, so screened enclosures need the bulb mounted noticeably closer than these open-air figures suggest.

Based on a 12-hour daily photoperiod — a typical basking schedule for desert species — and a 30c/kWh tariff assumption, the 13 W bulb costs an estimated $17 a year to run, and the 25 W costs an estimated $33 a year. Actual cost depends on your own tariff and the hours the bulb is switched on.

Wipe dust from the bulb and reflector regularly — a light film cuts UVB output before it's visible to the eye. Replace on a 12-month calendar regardless of how bright the bulb still looks, since visible light output outlasts the UVB. Exo Terra's "Restore The Rays" programme sends a reminder if you register the bulb.

Covered by the standard Exo Terra manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a standard parcel item.

Is the UVB150 strong enough for a bearded dragon?

Yes — the UVB150's 10.0 desert strength is the level most keepers use for bearded dragons, mounted within the 50 cm effective range and closer if the enclosure is screened.

Can I use this for a tree frog or forest gecko?

Not as the primary UVB source. Those species are adapted to much lower UVB and are better matched to the UVB100 tropical strength.

Does a mesh lid change the mounting distance?

Yes. Exo Terra states a dense screen can cut UVB output by up to half, so a screened enclosure needs the bulb mounted closer than the open-air figures in the table above.

What's the difference between the 13 W and 25 W?

Both are 10.0/desert strength; wattage changes how far useful UVB carries. The table above shows the 25 W reads higher at short range (10–30 cm) and again from around 60 cm onward, useful for taller basking setups; at 40–50 cm the 13 W actually reads slightly higher.

How do I know when to replace it?

On the calendar, not by eye. Replace every 12 months — the bulb keeps producing visible light well after UVB output has dropped below a useful level.