Reptile UVB Schedule
Get species-specific UVB lighting hours, target UV Index, bulb type recommendations, and an automatic replacement date so your reptile never silently develops metabolic bone disease.
Target UVI at basking spot: 4.0-6.0
Desert species — high UVB demand. Use T5-HO 10-12% linear bulb across ⅔ of the enclosure length.
Even when a UVB bulb still glows visibly, its UVB output drops sharply after the rated life — reptiles then develop metabolic bone disease silently.
How it works
UVB drives cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis, which enables calcium absorption. Every species has an evolved 'Ferguson Zone' UV Index. We match species → daily photoperiod + target UVI + bulb type, then apply the manufacturer-rated lifespan (T5-HO ~12 months, T8 ~6 months, compacts ~6 months) to give a firm replacement date. Bulbs continue to emit visible light long after their UVB output collapses — a scheduled swap is the only reliable defense against silent MBD.
Examples
- Bearded dragon on T5-HO12h/day, UVI 4-6, replace every 12 months
- Leopard gecko on ShadeDweller10h/day, UVI 0.5-1.5
- Ball python on 5% T510h/day, UVI 0.5-1.0