Everything you need to know about terrarium lamps
In recent years, exotic animals such as aquatic turtles, frogs, toads, tarantula spiders and much more have become very popular among aquarium enthusiasts. If you have such pets, you will need to take care of heating or ultraviolet lamps, which are necessary to provide the best comfort for the animals.
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Most of the animals that can be kept in the aquarium are cold blooded, so you need to provide them with proper living conditions. The fact is that most of the metabolic processes in such organisms depend on the temperature of the external environment, therefore it is extremely important to create the most comfortable conditions and maintain a certain temperature using external devices. The ideal solution for this would be heating lamps, which perfectly replace the sun's rays and allow the animal's body to cope with the absorption of essential nutrients.
It should be noted that the installation of such lamps in terrariums is not a whim for better design or appearance, but is a vital necessity for the pet. Turtles, reptiles and other reptiles cannot survive without a certain level of heat and ultraviolet radiation, so such conditions must be provided. For example, if there is a red-eared turtle in the aquarium, then it will not be able to digest food until the body is heated to the desired temperature.And most pets are unable to produce vitamin D without the presence of ultraviolet rays, so they simply cannot absorb calcium and other beneficial components.
Unfortunately, very often the owners of exotic animals try to save on maintenance and replace the UV lamps with conventional ones, but this greatly reduces the life of the pet. In addition, such animals will not be able to be healthy, therefore they will not please their owner with an attractive appearance and activity.
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It is necessary to select a certain type of lamp for heating the terrarium, depending on what kind of animal is inside. Among the most popular types of lamps are the following.
Incandescent lamps
They are the easiest and most affordable way to light and heat your terrarium. However, you must be extremely careful when doing this. Ideally, the lamp is placed at a distance of 30 cm from the ground. To do this, it must be fixed on the lid of the terrarium using a special platform. If there is a turtle inside the object, then the feeder can also be placed near the lamp, since these animals love to warm up very much, especially in the winter season.
As for the lamp power, it should not exceed 60 watts. At the same time, it is best to turn it off at night so that the animal can rest.
Ceramic
They are considered a safer option when compared to incandescent bulbs. For example, they do not explode when hit by jets of water, which is especially important in conditions of high humidity.
Mirrored
This option is ideal when only a small area needs to be illuminated. A distinctive feature of such a lamp is that it has a narrowly focused light, so it will only warm the reptile, and not the terrarium itself. If necessary, such lamps can be combined with infrared lamps, which are switched on at night. They also provide warmth, but the red light does not negatively affect the animals and does not interfere with their rest.
Ultraviolet
They are considered an excellent solution for a turtle, as it is characterized by a special dusting. This color is extremely beneficial for reptiles as it improves calcium absorption and allows them to grow. Young individuals, whose body especially needs vitamins for growth, cannot do without such lamps. Ultraviolet lamps should be located 40 cm from the ground. Both tubular and compact UV lamps are available on the market.
They must be changed at least once a year. The fact is that the more a similar product is used, the less fluorescent it contains.
Popular manufacturers
In recent years, scientists have been able to achieve tremendous results in the study of reptiles and their needs for ultraviolet radiation. Companies that specialize in the production of products for such animals are improving their technologies every day and putting more and more advanced devices on the market. One of the best known manufacturers is Exo Terra. The company offers a huge range of lamps, so that everyone can choose the most optimal solution for their pet.
In the manufacturing process, the brand pays close attention to fluorescent lamps, which are capable of emitting the required amount of ultraviolet light. In addition, in the brand's catalog you can find household incandescent lamps that emit a minimum amount of UV in the A. ...
Top UV lamps will be an excellent solution for animals that live in tropical and subtropical regions. In this case, it is necessary to pay close attention to the correct installation of such a lamp. The manufacturer offers clear instructions that will allow you to correctly install the lamps at the required distance to provide animals with ideal living conditions.
The company's catalog also contains fluorescent lamps that work in combination with a separate heat source, presented in the form of infrared or heating options. The manufacturer recommends combining all of these devices in order to provide ideal conditions for breeding or keeping exotic pets.
The brand's catalog also includes visible light lamps, which allow the use of artificial lighting, taking into account the needs of both human vision and reptile pets. The use of such lamps allows animals to perceive the external world more believably, which has a beneficial effect on their health and well-being, as well as activity. Research shows that increased light perception plays a critical role in the metabolism as well as the growth of reptiles.
Operating tips
In order for the purchased lamp to provide a comfortable environment for reptiles, it is necessary to use it correctly. Regardless of the characteristics of the lamp itself, it should be located in a warm corner of the terrarium, and the distance from the ground should not be less than 20 cm. Otherwise, you can burn the animal, especially if a flat stone or other object that can quickly heat up is located nearby.
When positioning, it is imperative to take into account the height of the terrarium, the presence of various decorative objects inside and the peculiarities of the life of the animal itself. In most cases, the heating temperature should not be allowed to exceed 40 degrees, as this can lead to problems with the reptile's skin.
For optimal results, it is necessary that there are no surfaces between the lamp and the animal, including glass. The fact is that this will prevent the ultraviolet rays from reaching their target, which will make the lamp completely useless. These devices are best used during the day to simulate a sunny day. In addition, if necessary, you can purchase special night lamps that burn with ultraviolet light in the evening and do not interfere with the animal's sleep. It is best to install the lamps on the cover of the terrarium using a special clothespin, which will maximize heating for the reptile.
Thus, lamps allow reptiles to receive the necessary amount of light and heat for better life and active growth. In the process of choosing the most optimal lamp, it is necessary to take into account not only the characteristics of the terrarium, but also the needs of the animal itself, its vital activity and needs for light. The most popular today are LED, fluorescent, UV and moonlight options.