Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 Desert Compact Fluorescent
Wattage
26 W
UV zone
Heliophotic (desert / full-sun baskers) — per Zoo Med's stated species suitability, not an independently measured index
Replace every
12 months
Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 Desert Compact Fluorescent
Full-strength desert UVB in a bulb that screws into any standard reptile hood. The Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 Compact Fluorescent (26 W) puts out 10% UVB and 30% UVA — Zoo Med's highest compact-fluorescent UVB output — for desert and full-sun basking reptiles that need strong UVB to synthesise vitamin D3 and avoid metabolic bone disease.
Key features
- 10% UVB / 30% UVA output — aimed at desert and full-sun basking species rather than tropical or forest reptiles, which need the gentler ReptiSun 5.0.
- Special UVB-transmitting quartz glass — Zoo Med states this improves UVB penetration compared with standard glass.
- Screws into a standard threaded fixture — no separate ballast needed, and Zoo Med says it can be mounted vertically or horizontally in a dome or hood.
- Runs cool — unlike a mercury-vapour bulb, it won't add significant basking heat, so it's normally paired with a separate heat source.
- Contains mercury — dispose of a spent bulb through a lamp-recycling program rather than general rubbish.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 26 W |
| UVB output | 10% |
| UVA output | 30% |
| Fitting | Standard threaded (Edison screw) socket, no ballast required |
| Warranty | 1 year (Zoo Med) |
| Useful UVB life | 12 months from first use |
UV gradient — mounting distance, bare and through mesh
Zoo Med publishes recommended mounting distances rather than a continuous UV Index curve for this bulb, and the distance changes once the bulb finishes its 100-hour "burn-in" period. In a deep dome fixture with no mesh in the way, Zoo Med recommends 33–46 cm (13–18 in) for the first 100 hours of use, closing to 23–33 cm (9–13 in) afterwards. Mount closer if there's a mesh screen between the bulb and the animal, because mesh absorbs a meaningful share of UVB: with a screen in place, Zoo Med's figures drop to 28–41 cm (11–16 in) during burn-in and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) after, for a deep dome, or 33–43 cm (13–17 in) burn-in and 23–33 cm (9–13 in) after in a terrarium hood. Zoo Med separately states this bulb's usable UVB reaches roughly 30 cm (12 in) from the lamp — treat that as the outer limit of the basking zone, not the ideal basking distance.
| Fixture | Screen | Distance — first 100 hrs | Distance — after burn-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep dome | None | 33–46 cm (13–18 in) | 23–33 cm (9–13 in) |
| Deep dome | Mesh screen | 28–41 cm (11–16 in) | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Terrarium hood | Mesh screen | 33–43 cm (13–17 in) | 23–33 cm (9–13 in) |
We could not find a Zoo Med–published UV Index (µW/cm² or index) reading at each of these distances for this specific compact bulb — the figures above are Zoo Med's own recommended mounting distances, not an independently measured index curve. If you need a measured UVI at the basking spot, check it with a UV Index meter after installation, since fixture reflector shape also affects output.
Which species is this for?
Zoo Med markets the 10.0 strength for desert and full-sun basking species — bearded dragons, uromastyx, desert-dwelling skinks, and sun-loving tortoises. Forest, tropical and crepuscular species are generally better suited to the lower-output ReptiSun 5.0.
Care and maintenance — replacing the bulb
Replace this bulb every 12 months even though it will usually still glow visible light well past that point — UVB output drops before the bulb looks like it's failing. Zoo Med suggests writing the install date on the base as a reminder.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for desert and full-sun basking reptiles in a fixture with a porcelain or ceramic socket rated for the wattage. Not a heat source on its own — pair it with a separate basking bulb or ceramic heat emitter for daytime warmth. Not intended for use where an animal can stare directly into the bulb; Zoo Med specifies mounting it overhead, not to the side.
Safety
Contains mercury — dispose of responsibly via a lamp-recycling program (lamprecycle.org), not general waste. Mount securely overhead so the fixture cannot fall into the enclosure, and keep the bulb positioned so animals aren't forced to look directly at it.
Warranty and delivery
Zoo Med backs this bulb with a 1-year warranty; the useful UVB life of 12 months is separate from the warranty term and is the figure that actually matters for your animal's health.
Common questions
Do I need to mount this closer if my enclosure has a mesh lid?
Yes. Zoo Med's own mounting figures are closer through mesh than in the open — roughly 20–30 cm after burn-in through a screen, versus 23–33 cm with no screen in the way, because the mesh absorbs some of the UVB before it reaches the animal.
The bulb still looks bright after a year — do I really need to replace it?
Yes. Visible light output declines much more slowly than UVB output, so a bulb that still looks fine can already be providing little to no usable UVB. Replace on a 12-month schedule regardless of appearance.
Can I use this for a chameleon or a tropical gecko?
Not ideally — this is Zoo Med's highest compact-fluorescent UVB strength, intended for desert and full-sun species. Forest and tropical species are better matched to the gentler ReptiSun 5.0.
Does this bulb also provide heat?
No — Zoo Med describes it as running cool. Pair it with a separate basking bulb or ceramic heat emitter for daytime temperature.
