- T5 Zone 3 Lamp
- Made in Germany
- Zone 3 equivalent to 12%
- Each batch tested for UVI output
- Available in 3 wattages
- 24watt – 22”
- 39watt – 34”
- 54watt – 46”
For desert reptiles such as Bearded Dragons and Tortoises that are kept in vivarium’s, the Reptile Systems T5 Reptile Lamp is perfect for giving them the UVB light they need to generate the all-important Vitamin D3 they need to absorb calcium.
These have higher UV light output than most reptile strip lights - a healthy 12% UV, better simulating the natural light your reptile would have received in desert conditions, where foliage and cloud cover are limited, and your reptile would bask in the full heat and UV light of the sun.
For best results, use with a T5 electronic controller and replace after 1 year of normal use. This light will only operate if used with the correct T5 electronic ballast. It is strongly recommended by Reptile Systems to position the UV light 12 inches away from the reptile.
These can be used as the replacement bulbs for the Reptile Systems Eco Zone 3 T5 unit.
Example of Ferguson Zone 3 Animals:
- Frilled Lizards
- Black & White Tegu
- Day Geckos
- Yemen Chameleons
- Leopard Tortoises
- Bearded Dragons
- Iguanas
The T5 UV lamp is now a familiar sight in reptile shops and has gained popularity in recent years due to its higher light output. We are often asked “What does T5 actually mean?” The “T” designation in fluorescent lamps stands for tubular, which, is quiet simply the shape of the lamp. The number the number that follows, in this case a 5 gives the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch. So, a T5 lamp is five-eighths of an inch (1.59 cm), in diameter.
T5 fluorescent lamps are a low-pressure mercury vapor gas discharge lamp that uses fluorescent phosphors to produce visible light. T5 lamps first became widely available in 1990s, for household lighting, as an upgrade from the T8s, which were commonly used in the 1980s, due to their greater light output per watt.
Manufacturers of reptile lamps saw the household lamp market moving away from T8 lamps and towards the T5, which was more efficient and classed as high output, taking the knowledge, they used for the T8 and applying it to the T5 lamps.
Traditionally reptile UVB lamps have been sold in percentages with less than 2.5% being daylight, 5% or 6%forest and 10% or 12% desert but what does this percentage mean? It relates to the amount of UVB phosphors in the lamps, so typically quoted values would be 10% UVB, 30% UVA and the rest would be made up of a blend of visible light.
The percentage that we see depicted on reptile and bird fluorescent UV lamps packaging, although may have been correct many years ago, is not now, due to today’s higher output lamps.
The way we keep our reptiles has changed dramatically in the last decade, with more importance being placed on the provision of correct environmental needs. Enclosure size and shape, temperature, light, and the correct amount of UV have all played a big part in this revolution.
Reptile Systems took the brave idea to move away from this outdated percentage system to a much more accurate system of the Ferguson Zones based on research undertaken by renowned herpetologist, Dr Gary Ferguson. He measured different reptile’s daily basking sites and exposure times which gave him a good indication to their natural UV requirements. These species were divided up into four different sun exposure groups, which are now referred to as Ferguson zones. Each zone was allocated a range of figures, calculated from the readings, that were taken from the animals basking UVI. Other researchers have added more data to this study to help create a list of animals that fit into these four zones.
- Zone 1 – Crepuscular, thermal conformer, Zone range 0.7-1.4 UVI
- Zone 2 – Partial sun / occasional basker, thermoregulator, Zone range 1.1-3 UVI
- Zone 3 – Open / partial sun basker, thermoregulator, Zone range 2.9-7.4 UVI
- Zone 4 – Mid-day sun basker, thermoregulator, Zone range 4.5-8.0 UVI
To replicate a natural behavioural pattern, each enclosure should provide a photo gradient with one end using your maximum chosen zone based for your animal’s requirements and the other end of the gradient going down to zero. This will allow for photo regulation, prolonged or partial basking, depending on the habits of your reptile. This gradient and access to full UVI limits should be taken into consideration when building and designing the layout for your enclosure. Also allow for other factors such as mesh top screens or lamp guards, which can reduce light levels between 30-50%, and reflectors which can double the light output, and perhaps, even more in some cases. Using more than one light source you can also add a more natural photoperiod to stimulate more naturalistic activity.
Reptile Systems, known for their fresh approach, constant research, testing and development, have redesigned all their UV product packing to conform to this enlightened approach to UV provision. It will now be easy to choose, with confidence, the correct values, at given distances including use with or without reflectors, making life easier and better for your pet. We have even added distances that are considered “not safe” either due to very high ultraviolet, heat or visible light volumes. We also recommend a minimum distance of 30cm to prevent ocular damage, unless otherwise stated by your advising reptile care specialist.
The Reptile Systems T5 Ferguson Zone Lamps are designed to be mounted horizontally overhead at a minimum distance of approximately 12” (30cm) above the back of the animal. Reptile Systems T5 Ferguson Zone Lamps provide UVA and UVB for reptiles which aids reptiles’ vision as well as the production of vitamin D3 which enables calcium to be utilised to produce strong bones and eliminate the risk of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
All Reptile Systems lamps are routinely batch tested in our large UK testing facility where we have over 200 lamps on test at any one time. Lamps are checked for several parameters to make sure they are correct for the packaging and marketing, but mainly for the welfare of the animals, which is our top priority.
Reptile systems produce high-quality reliable T5 Ferguson Zone Lamps available in four zone depending on your animal’s requirements: Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 & Zone 4 in a range of lengths/wattages which are:
8w 12”, 24w 22”, 39w 34” & 54w 46”
T5 Ferguson Zone Lamps do require an external ballast to function, and we suggest using a reflector to increase the light levels. T5 lamps require an electronic ballast to work and will not work with a magnetic ballast.
Reptile Systems T5 Ferguson Zone Lamp are a full spectrum lamp with excellent colour rendering to promote and enhance natural colours.
One of the questions we often get asked is “Which lamp do I need?”. There are several factors that can determine which Zone Lamp will suit your animals needs best: enclosure size, décor, basking distance you have for the animal, if the lamp is being reflected or mounted above a mesh screen, the UVI level you’re trying to achieve for that species.
So, we always recommend you go your retailers, and you can ask them for advice, alternatively you can check out our Facebook, YouTube and website for more information.
We have published charts for all zone lamps on our website showing the UVI to expect at distances from 5cm – 60cm through a number of mesh types and using a range of different style reflectors to ensure you can provide the correct UVI with confidence.
Very occasionally we are contacted to say that a lamp will not work, there are a couple of equipment checks that should be done in this case:
- Check the fuse and make sure the ballast unit is switched on.
- Check the pins on the ends of the lamp are not damaged or bent.
- Check the pins of the lamp are correctly located within the end caps of the ballast unit. If in doubt, speak to your retailer for assistance.
