The tropical tier of Exo Terra's linear UVB range. Exo Terra describes its output as similar to the UVB of shaded environments such as rain forest, which is the level tropical and sub-tropical species evolved under. This is the tube to reach for with crested geckos, day geckos, tree frogs and most rainforest species. The point that causes returns: a UVB fluorescent tube produces UVB and light, not heat. It will not warm a basking spot, so a basking lamp or ceramic heat emitter is still required.
Five sizes, and wattage and length go together: 15W is 45cm, 18W is 60cm, 25W is 75cm, 30W is 90cm and 36W is 120cm. Measure the inside of your existing fixture before ordering — a T8 tube only fits the length it was made for. Desert species want the Reptile UVB150 tube; species with very high UV demand want the UVB200 tube. Exo Terra suggests running a UVB tube alongside the Natural Light tube for visible light. The 38cm version is sold under its older name as the Repti Glo 5.0 Tropical T8 tube, and the screw-in equivalent is the UVB100 compact bulb. More in our Exo Terra collection.
Features
- Tropical UVB spectrum — matched to shaded rain forest light rather than open desert sun.
- Supports calcium metabolism — UVB drives vitamin D3 synthesis, which is what makes dietary calcium usable.
- UVA included — stimulates appetite, activity and reproductive behaviour.
- Even output along the tube — a linear tube covers the whole terrarium instead of a single spot, so the animal can choose its exposure.
- Five lengths — fits standard T8 hoods from 45cm to 120cm.
Specifications
15W / 45cm, 18W / 60cm, 25W / 75cm, 30W / 90cm, 36W / 120cm. T8 linear fluorescent, 26mm diameter, G13 bipin ends. Shipping weights 0.12kg to 0.29kg. Exo Terra positions the linear range by tier — UVB100 tropical, UVB150 desert, UVB200 very high UV — and does not publish output percentages for the T8 tubes, so none are quoted. Replace yearly.
Exo Terra Reptile UVB100 linear tubes on the manufacturer's site