{"product_id":"zoo-med-uvb-meter-unit","title":"Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracks the raw UVB output of a lamp in µW\/cm², the figure that tells you when a bulb has faded past useful strength.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit (ZM001) is a handheld digital radiometer built around the same measurement engine as Solarmeter's Model 6.2 UVB meter, reading UVB irradiance directly rather than a species-weighted index. It's the tool for confirming a bulb's actual output over time, not just trusting its \"replace every X months\" printed date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReads raw UVB irradiance\u003c\/strong\u003e — 0–1999 µW\/cm², so you can track a specific lamp's output as it ages rather than relying on a generic replacement schedule.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNarrow-band UVB sensitivity\u003c\/strong\u003e — a silicon carbide photodiode behind a UV-glass window and interference filter responds to 280–320 nm, the UVB band, rather than the full UV spectrum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3.5-digit LCD with 1 µW\/cm² resolution\u003c\/strong\u003e — fine enough to catch gradual decline, not just a bulb that's failed outright.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast sample rate\u003c\/strong\u003e — 3 readings per second, so repositioning the meter at different distances gives a quick before\/after comparison.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong battery life\u003c\/strong\u003e — a single 9 V battery lasts roughly two years of typical use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeasurement range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0–1999 µW\/cm² UVB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eResolution\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 µW\/cm²\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpectral sensitivity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e280–320 nm (UVB band)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAccuracy\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e±10% (NIST reference)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSample rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 readings per second\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDisplay\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.5-digit LCD\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 x 9 V battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDimensions\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e105 x 60 x 22 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOperating range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0–40°C, 5–80% RH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSensor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSilicon carbide photodiode, UV-glass window, virgin Teflon diffuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuited to confirming the relative decay of a fluorescent or mercury vapour UVB lamp over time, so replacement is based on measured output rather than a printed date alone, and to comparing output at different distances or through mesh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot suited to giving a direct read against species-specific UV Index target ranges — those are published on a weighted UV Index scale, which is what the Zoo Med UVB Index Meter (ZM002) reads instead. Don't point any UV meter, or your eyes, directly into an unshielded mercury vapour UVB bulb at close range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the sensor window clean with a dry, soft cloth only — solvents can damage the UV glass and Teflon diffuser. Store out of direct sunlight and moisture, and replace the 9 V battery if readings become erratic or the display dims.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUseful alongside any fluorescent or mercury vapour UVB lamp for tracking output decline, and complements the Zoo Med UVB Index Meter (ZM002) where a weighted UV Index reading against species targets is also wanted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat does this meter measure, and how is it different from a UV Index meter?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt reads raw UVB irradiance in µW\/cm² across the 280–320 nm band, rather than a Vitamin D-weighted UV Index figure. It's the better tool for tracking a specific bulb's output decline; a UV Index meter is the better tool for checking against species target ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use it to know when to replace a UVB bulb?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake a baseline reading at a fixed distance when the bulb is new, then repeat the same measurement periodically at the same distance. A falling µW\/cm² figure shows the bulb's UVB output declining, even before the visible light output looks any different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow accurate is it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e±10% against a NIST reference, with 1 µW\/cm² resolution across a 0–1999 µW\/cm² range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow long does the battery last?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround two years of typical use from a single 9 V battery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it outdoors to check natural sunlight?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sensor responds to the same 280–320 nm UVB band outdoors as it does indoors, but readings in direct sunlight will be far higher than anything a terrarium lamp produces — it's designed primarily as a lamp-output tool.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZooMed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293327704355,"sku":"ZM001","price":1020.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/ZM001_7.png?v=1782882764","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/zoo-med-uvb-meter-unit","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}