{"product_id":"zoo-med-repti-sun-5-0-tropical-compact-fluorescent","title":"Zoo Med Repti Sun 5.0 Tropical Compact Fluorescent","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical-strength UVB in a bulb that screws into any standard fitting.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 Compact Fluorescent (item FS-C5, 26 W) is a self-ballasted UVB bulb delivering 5% UVB and 30% UVA full-spectrum output — the level tropical, forest and part-shade reptiles and amphibians receive under natural canopy. UVB lets reptiles synthesise vitamin D3 in their skin, which is what allows them to metabolise calcium and avoid metabolic bone disease; UVA on top of that encourages natural feeding, basking and breeding behaviour. It runs cool enough to mount in a standard dome or hood with no separate ballast.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5% UVB \/ 30% UVA full-spectrum output\u003c\/strong\u003e — suited to tropical and forest species: most geckos, many skinks and tree-dwelling snakes, water dragons in shaded zones, and forest tortoises.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-ballasted screw base\u003c\/strong\u003e — fits any standard threaded fixture, no external ballast required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCool-burning quartz glass envelope\u003c\/strong\u003e — emits UVA and UVB without adding heat to the enclosure, so basking temperature is set by a separate heat source.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRuns vertically or horizontally\u003c\/strong\u003e — suits dome fixtures and terrarium hoods alike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eItem number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFS-C5 (SKU ZM217)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWattage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBase\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard screw (self-ballasted, no external ballast needed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUVB output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUVA output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpectrum\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull spectrum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHeat output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone — UVA\/UVB only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eUV gradient and mounting distance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eZoo Med publishes mounting distance by fixture type rather than a single figure, because output is highest during the bulb's first two weeks (the “burn-in” period) and settles after that. A mesh screen between the bulb and the animal cuts UVB substantially, which is why Zoo Med gives separate distances for screened and open setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFixture\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen cover\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDuring burn-in (first ~2 weeks)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAfter burn-in\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep dome\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith screen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 cm (8–12″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–23 cm (6–9″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep dome\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo screen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–36 cm (10–14″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–25 cm (7–10″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerrarium hood (12″ or 18″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith screen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–33 cm (10–13″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–25 cm (7–10″)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eZoo Med does not publish a numeric UV Index-by-distance chart for this specific 26 W lamp (only its Mini Compact range carries a UVI table) — the mounting-distance guidance above is the manufacturer's published figure for this model. As the mesh gets finer, more UVB is filtered, so measure your actual setup with a UV index meter where possible, and mount at the closer, no-screen distances only if the enclosure has no mesh between the bulb and the basking spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eUseful UVB life\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis lamp provides beneficial UVB for 12 months from first use, even though it will keep glowing visibly well beyond that. Replace it every 12 months regardless of appearance — visible light output does not track UVB output.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e tropical and forest-floor to part-shade species — many geckos, skinks, tree frogs, and forest-dwelling chelonians that bask in dappled rather than direct sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e desert and full-sun basking species (e.g. bearded dragons, many desert tortoises, uromastyx) that need higher UVB — step up to a ReptiSun 10.0.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMount in a ceramic or porcelain-socketed fixture rated for the wattage, with ventilation around the bulb base. Do not touch the bulb when hot, and keep it away from water and high-humidity misting zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovered by Zoo Med's 1-year manufacturer warranty. Ships via standard delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDo I still need a separate heat bulb?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. This lamp produces UVA and UVB without heat, so a separate basking bulb or ceramic heat emitter sets the temperature gradient.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow do I know when to replace it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy the calendar, not by eye — UVB output drops well before the bulb stops glowing. Replace it 12 months after first use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDoes a mesh screen matter?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — a screen between the bulb and the animal reduces UVB reaching the basking spot, which is why Zoo Med publishes closer mounting distances for open setups than for screened ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I use this for a desert species?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — 5% UVB suits tropical and part-shade species. Desert and heavy-basking species need the higher-output ReptiSun 10.0.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZooMed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54773925413155,"sku":"ZM217","price":91.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/zoo-med-repti-sun-5-0-tropic-43875579101475.webp?v=1790236092","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/zoo-med-repti-sun-5-0-tropical-compact-fluorescent","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}