Zoo Med ReptiSun T8 5.0 UVB Fluoro

• 5.0 UVB output – enough UVB for reptiles with a moderate, not high, UVB requirement, when mounted at the right distance.
• Full-spectrum visible light plus UVA – supports natural colour and daytime activity, not just UVB.
• No heat output – position it purely for UV coverage and run a separate basking bulb for temperature.
• 10–12 hour daily cycle – matches a reptile's natural day length; pair with a timer.
• Four lengths available – 18″ to 48″ – to match hoods from small to large enclosures.

All four lengths carry the same 5.0 UVB output and a 1-year manufacturer warranty. UVB output, not tube length, determines the dose your reptile receives – length only needs to match your fixture.

The single "5.0" rating on the box is the least useful number here. What matters is the UV Index (UVI) your reptile is actually exposed to at basking distance, and that falls away sharply the further you move from the tube.

These figures are for a bare tube with a clear line of sight to the basking spot. A mesh screen between the tube and the animal cuts UVI by roughly 30–40% at any given distance – mount closer, or move to a stronger tube, if a screen is unavoidable and your species needs the top of that range. Zoo Med's own guidance puts this tube's effective photoconversion range at up to 30 cm (12″) for the species it's intended for; don't rely on it beyond that distance. Avoid mounting closer than roughly 8 cm (3″), the nearest point Zoo Med measures – UVI climbs quickly at close range.

Match the distance to the animal: turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons and iguanas needing moderate UVB (roughly UVI 1.0–2.6 at the basking spot) typically sit toward the closer half of this range; lower-UVB-requirement species sit further back, toward 25–30 cm. Confirm with a UV Index meter where you can – these figures are for this tube in open air, not a guarantee for every enclosure geometry.

The tube keeps producing visible light for up to 12 months, but its UVB output – the part your reptile actually needs – falls below a useful level well before then. Replace it every 6 months to keep UVB dosing reliable, even though it looks and lights exactly the same on the day you take it out. A tube that still works as a light globe but is past its UVB life is a silent problem: nothing about the animal looks wrong until metabolic bone disease is already underway.

• Suitable for diurnal reptiles with a moderate UVB requirement: bearded dragons, most omnivorous lizards, box turtles, basking areas for aquatic turtles, tortoises, and many colubrid snakes kept with UVB.
• Not a heat source – always run it alongside a separate basking bulb and its own thermostat.
• Not intended on its own for species with a high UVB requirement, such as many desert agamids and uromastyx, unless UVI readings confirm the target range is met – a 10.0 tube or T5 HO fixture usually suits those better.
• Not compatible with a dimmer or rheostat – it needs a standard T8 fixture running at full line voltage.

Contains mercury, as all fluorescent UVB tubes do – dispose of it through an approved fluorescent lamp or e-waste recycling point rather than general rubbish. Run it on a timer for a 10–12 hour day rather than leaving it on continuously. Because it can't be dimmed, pair it with a separate, dimmable basking bulb for temperature control.

Wipe the tube and any reflector or hood periodically – dust on the glass reduces UVB transmission even before the 6-month mark. Replace at 6 months regardless of appearance, and note the fit date on the fixture or in a reminder so it isn't forgotten.

Covered by Zoo Med's 1-year manufacturer warranty against faults, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. This is a glass fluorescent tube – handled and freighted with care; contact us if a tube arrives damaged.

How far should I mount this from my reptile?

Use the UV Index table above to match your species' target UVI, generally keeping the basking spot within 30 cm (12″) of a bare tube. Confirm with a UV Index meter where possible, since fixture reflectors and enclosure geometry change the real-world reading.

Does this tube produce any heat?

No. It supplies UVA and UVB only – you still need a separate basking bulb, ceramic heat emitter or ambient heater to build the temperature gradient.

How often does it actually need replacing?

Every 6 months for reliable UVB output, even though the tube will often still light up well beyond that. UVB decline isn't visible to the eye.

Can I run this through a mesh screen top?

Yes, but expect UVI to drop by roughly 30–40% at any given distance, so you'll need to mount closer or choose a stronger tube to hit the same target UVI through mesh.

Will this suit a high-UVB species like a uromastyx?

Not reliably on its own – this tube is built for moderate UVB. High-UVB desert species are usually better served by a 10.0 tube or T5 HO fixture positioned to reach the top of their UVI range.