Zoo Med Power Sun UV Lamp
UV zone
Zones 1-4 (adjustable by mounting distance)
Replace every
12 months
Zoo Med Power Sun UV Lamp
One bulb does the heat and the UVB. The Zoo Med Power Sun UV Mercury Vapour Lamp is a self-ballasted spot bulb that puts out basking heat, UVA and UVB from a single fixture, in 80 W, 100 W and 160 W. It screws into a standard ceramic-socket dome — no separate ballast, no transformer — and the UV Index your animal actually receives depends entirely on how far it's mounted, which is why Zoo Med publishes a full distance table rather than one headline number.
Key features
- Heat and UVB together — one bulb replaces a separate basking bulb and UVB tube.
- Self-ballasted mercury vapour — screws into any ceramic-socket dome, no ballast box needed.
- Zone 1 to Zone 4 coverage — move the fixture closer or further to match the UV Index your species needs.
- 12-month UVB life — the bulb keeps glowing well past this, but UVB output is what needs replacing on schedule.
- Fixed output — cannot be dimmed, so heat is controlled by mounting distance, not a thermostat.
Specifications
| Wattage | SKU | Fitting | Ballast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 W | ZM382 | Ceramic socket, screw-in | Self-ballasted — no ballast required |
| 100 W | ZM38 | Ceramic socket, screw-in | Self-ballasted — no ballast required |
| 160 W | ZM187 | Ceramic socket, screw-in | Self-ballasted — no ballast required |
UV gradient — Index by distance
Zoo Med publishes recommended mounting distances by UV zone for each wattage, based on its own Ferguson Zone system. Move the fixture within the listed range to hit the UV Index your species needs; distances are measured from the bulb to the basking surface, open air, no mesh.
| Wattage | Zone 1–2 (UVI approx. 0.4–1.0) | Zone 3 (UVI approx. 1.0–2.6) | Zone 4 (UVI approx. 2.6–3.5+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 W | 40–66 cm | 20–40 cm | 15–20 cm |
| 100 W | 50–81 cm | 25–50 cm | 20–25 cm |
| 160 W | 66–97 cm | 40–66 cm | 30–40 cm |
Zone 1–2 species (shade-dwelling to partial sun) include leopard geckos, corn and rat snakes, water dragons, day geckos, box turtles and ball pythons. Zone 3 (partial to full sun) suits Sceloporus, monitors, tegus, blue-tongue skinks and green iguanas. Zone 4 (full sun/desert) suits bearded dragons, uromastyx, chuckwallas and desert iguanas — mount closest within the range for these.
Using it behind a mesh or screen top
A mesh lid between the lamp and the animal cuts UVB output. Zoo Med's own guidance is that the reduction is significant and varies with the mesh type and gauge, so treat the open-air distances above as a starting point only — check the actual UV Index at the basking spot with a UV meter once the screen is in place, and move the fixture closer if the reading falls short of the zone you're aiming for.
UVB replacement — 12 months
This lamp provides useful UVB output for 12 months from first use. The bulb will still glow and produce heat well beyond that, which is exactly why UVB needs a calendar reminder rather than a "replace when it looks dim" rule — the light output outlasts the UVB by a wide margin.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suited to reptiles that bask under a UVB source, matched to species by distance as above. Not suitable for amphibians or fish, for animals kept in enclosures too shallow to reach the minimum Zone 4 distance for the wattage chosen, or for mounting behind glass or most plastics — UVB does not pass through either, so the fixture must shine directly into the open enclosure or through mesh only.
Safety
- No dimmers or rheostats — this lamp runs at a fixed line voltage and output; dimming it can damage the bulb or the dimmer. Adjust heat with mounting distance instead.
- Mount out of an animal's reach — the fixture and dome run hot; use a guard where the enclosure allows contact.
- Ceramic-rated fixture only — plastic-socket domes are not rated for this wattage or this bulb type.
Care and maintenance
Run on a fixed daily photoperiod rather than a dimmable timer — Zoo Med recommends around 10–12 hours a day. Wipe the reflector dome clean of dust periodically; a dusty reflector reduces both heat and UV reaching the enclosure. Replace on the 12-month UVB schedule regardless of how the bulb looks.
Goes well with
- A UV Index meter, to confirm actual output at your mounting distance rather than relying on the table alone.
- A ceramic dome or clamp fixture rated for the wattage you choose.
- A background heat source for the cool end of the enclosure, so the animal has a real thermal gradient to move along, not just a hot spot.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by the manufacturer's standard warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a standard parcel.
Common questions
How long does the UVB actually last?
12 months from first use. The bulb keeps producing visible light and heat well beyond that point, so replace it on a calendar reminder rather than waiting for it to look dim.
Can I run this behind a mesh lid?
Yes, but expect a real drop in UV Index. Re-check the reading with a UV meter once the screen is in place and adjust the mounting distance if it falls short of your target zone.
Can I put this on a dimmer or thermostat?
No. This is a fixed-output mercury vapour lamp — it cannot be used with a dimmer or rheostat. Control heat by changing the mounting distance instead.
What fixture do I need?
A ceramic-socket dome or clamp fixture rated for the wattage you buy. No separate ballast is needed — the lamp is self-ballasted.
Which wattage should I choose?
Match the wattage and mounting distance to your enclosure height and the UV zone your species needs — see the gradient table above. Taller enclosures generally need the higher wattages to reach a useful UV Index.
