Arcadia 18w T8 D3 6% UVB 24"

The T8 D3 Reptile Lamp provides both heat and light to your reptile. Not only do reptiles need light to view their environment, they also use ultra-violet light, for the benefit of their long-term health and development.

Why Is UVB Light Essential?

In its natural environment, a reptile has exposure to direct light from the sun, which as well as being composed of the visual light that we are familiar with, also has a significant content of ultra-violet light.This UV energy is an important factor, as it drives a chemical reaction in the skin, which results in the formation of vitamin D3, without which calcium metabolism cannot occur correctly, and the skeleton of the animal cannot develop correctly.

When a captive reptile is not exposed to direct sunlight, then the resulting lack of vitamin D3 can cause the bones to become weak and mis-shapen.Other hard structures, such as scales, claws, and the carapace of tortoises or turtles would also be adversely affected without sunlight.

The Arcadia reptile lamp range has been created in order to allow reptiles and other exotic pets to be properly maintained without the health problems related to poor calcium metabolism.

Why have two ranges, the D3 (6% UVB, this page) and the Natural Sunlight (2% UVB)?

Although all reptiles utilise the sun's UV, the degree to which they do so varies.

D3+ : Some, iguanas for instance , gain all of their vitamin D3 from UV light, and so are totally reliant on it - they quickly develop problems if not exposed to sufficient UV light. Most reptiles of this type are day-active, and often have a diet rich in vegetation and/or small invertebrates. These species should be kept under and appropriate sized D3 lamp, which has a higher content of UV light.

Natural Sunlight Lamp : Other reptiles - most snakes for example, actually obtain much of their vitamin D3 from their diet, and only partially rely on skin synthesis. These are often active at night, and have a diet consisting of small vertebrate prey, which is rich in vitamin D3. If such species are denied UV exposure, problems are slow to become apparent, and when they do, are less severe than the first group.

These species are best kept under the Natural Sunlight lamp, which has less UV content in order to satisfy their lower demands.

SPECIES REQUIRING THE D3 LAMP:

• Water Dragons.
• Iguanas.
• Skinks
• Day Geckos.
• Uromastyx.
• Chamelemons.
• Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles.

Product characteristics at a glance:

• 6% UVB for the synthesis of vitamin D3.
• Full spectrum lamp.
• Produces excellent natural colours.

The Arcadia D3 Reptile lamp has a high UVA output (30%), providing all the elements which are so vital to the welfare of the reptiles.

As a full spectrum lamp, the Arcadia D3 Reptile lamp simulates sunlight. This provides high colour rendering for enhanced viewing of your reptiles and their environment. The colour temperature of 6,500K replicates typical daylight conditions. The D3 lamp also helps plants grow in the vivarium or terrarium, where these are present.