The lighting
As cold-blooded animals, terrarium animals are far more dependent on light, i.e. the quality and intensity of light, than warm-blooded vertebrates. Activity, food intake, digestion and resting phases are influenced by the alternation of day and night, and especially by the intensity of the light.
Besides this, many terrarium animals associate light with heat and seek light places in the terrarium in order to „bask in the sun“. These considerations are especially important when choosing heating equipment for desert terrariums. There are differences in the yield and quality of light depending on the light source used. Fluorescent tubes, for example, provide a lot of light with little heat production, whereas light bulbs convert a major share of the energy taken up into heat and only a small share into light. The question as to which quality of light is best suited for a specific terrarium is easy to answer if we take a look at nature: For millions of years plants and animals have been adapting in a long evolutionary process to what the sun sends down to the earth .
If we look at the spectrum of sunlight (meaning the part of solar radiation that is visible to us), we recognise a very even distribution of all spectral colours. For this reason, lamps for terrariums should have a spectrum that is as close to being balanced and without gaps as possible.
At the same time, all of the plants and animals can display their full natural colouring. Metal halide lamps (e.g. JBL ReptilDesert L-U-W Light alu (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) ) are the top choice for animals which require sunlight, ultraviolet light (i.e. diurnal animals) and heat. They offer a full spectrum that simulates sunlight and includes UV-A and B radiation, along with heat emission for the terrarium. The temperature in the terrarium decreases after the lamps are switched off, thereby simulating the desired nighttime drop in temperature. The JBL LUW lamps are available in three different wattages and two versions, depending on whether the animals require a lot of UV radiation ( JBL ReptilDesert L-U-W Light alu (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) ) or less UV radiation ( JBL ReptilJungle L-U-W Light alu (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) ).
The fluorescent tubes sold by JBL are known as full-spectrum tubes and come in two different versions for terrariums: JBL SOLAR REPTIL SUN T8 and JBL SOLAR REPTIL JUNGLE T8 . An essential factor in the lighting of terrariums is the UV light in the UV-A and UV-B ranges.
Depending on their origin, terrarium animals can require a lot or a little UV light for their well-being. UV-B stimulates the synthesis of Vitamin D3 from its preliminary stage Vitamin D2. UV-A stimulates pigmentation. Don’t forget that glass absorbs around 50 % of the UV radiation, so always install the lamps inside the terrarium.
The distance between the light source and the animal is another important factor: The information indicating how much radiation is emitted at which distance from the lamp is to be found on the lamp itself. If the terrarium is high, the animals can get closer to their UV source if they are provided with something to climb on.
The following applies to animals that require UV: These animals will fall ill even if fluorescent tubes emitting UV radiation are used! You'll need to mount an additional UV spot lamp, like the JBL UV-Spot plus (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) , or a metal halide lamp, such as the JBL ReptilDesert L-U-W Light alu (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) . When using metal halide lamps, please remember that they should only be operated with special electronic ballasts ( JBL TempSet Unit L-U-W ).
For all lamp types that do not become too hot, the use of a high-quality reflector (e.g. JBL TempReflect light ) is highly recommended because it doubles the light output.
Various light sources over ONE terrarium
In smaller and square terrariums, a lamp is often used which, for example, only emits light and heat without UV for spiders (spiders do not need UV radiation). For larger and especially longer terrariums, however, the same type of lamp is never used everywhere. UV spotlights only need to be positioned in some places or even only in one place. The animals actively visit this place. Since the remaining part of the terrarium should not remain dark, especially when plants are used, lamps are also needed there, but they do not have to emit UV. So you can choose lamp types that are, for example, energy saving and still give a perfect light for plants. The JBL LED SOLAR NATUR , JBL SOLAR REPTIL JUNGLE T8 , the energy-saving lamp JBL ReptilDay Halogen and the JBL Reptil LED Daylight 12W are suitable for this.
For energy savers and animals which don't need UV light
Spiders, scorpions, frogs and some nocturnal animals do not need UV radiation. Terrarium friends confirm this statement because they have successfully bred these species for many generations without UV lighting. In the Internet and in specialized books there are quite contradictory statements about the UV requirements of some animals.
If you want to illuminate your terrarium without UV radiation, the following lamp types are possible, depending on shape and size: JBL LED SOLAR NATUR , JBL SOLAR REPTIL JUNGLE T8 , the energy-saving lamp JBL ReptilDay Halogen and the JBL Reptil LED Daylight 12W .
All these lamps have in common that they hardly generate any heat and that an additional heat source is necessary when heat is required. Plant growth is also ideally promoted by all these UV-free lamps. Here, the height of your terrarium is more decisive: For high-sided terrariums, stronger lamp types such as JBL LED SOLAR Natur need to be selected.
Lighting for different terrarium types
The following contains all the relevant information about the various lighting types for each type of terrarium
Accessories for terrarium lighting
Terrarium lamps often have properties that make extra accessories necessary. These can be heat protection screens or special sockets, which are safety-relevant for the high temperatures of ceramic and other spotlights in the terrarium. Mount the thermometer and hygrometer at the lowest and highest point in the terrarium to monitor the temperature zones!
JBL TempSet angle
- For more safety in the terrarium: installation kit with joint for lamps in terrariums.
- For the safe operation of energy-saving and incandescent lamps, halogen spot lamps, neodymium spot lamps, UV spot lamps (only in a vertical position)
- Easy to install: mounting plate, screws and switch are pre-assembled
- Heat and dimension stable to 270 °C
- Package contents: installation kit for spotlights E27 in terrariums, with joint, TempSet angle.
JBL TempSet angle+connect
- For more safety in the terrarium: installation kit with joint and connector for lamps in terrariums
- For the safe operation of energy-saving and incandescent lamps, halogen spot lamps, neodymium spot lamps, UV spot lamps (only in a vertical position)
- Easy to install: mounting plate, screws and switch are pre-assembled
- Heat and dimension stable to 270 °C
- Package contents: installation kit for spotlights E27 in terrariums, with joint and connector, TempSet angle+connect.
JBL TempSet Heat
- Protects reptiles from burns at the heat radiator – installation kit with ceramic bulb holder, heat guard and protective mesh for heat lamps
- Best protection: sturdy, heat-resistant special plastic, mesh made of galvanised steel, bottom made of stainless steel
- Young animals cannot enter the mesh due to small mesh size and narrow slits
- Distance of at least 50 cm from pets and burnable substrates
- Package contents: heat radiator, TempSet Heat, incl. cable with plug, socket E27, quick connector, strain relief bushing, metal plate with strain relief, hang-up hook, threaded screws, threaded screws with nuts
JBL TempSet Unit L-U-W
- For the safe operation of any metal-halide lamp: pre-assembled installation kit with quick coupling
- Attach holder in terrarium cover, screw in LUW lamp (separately available), plug in
- Lamp angle freely adjustable up to 180°, heat-resistant to 270 °C. For metal halide lamps such a socket with ballast is absolutely necessary, as they cannot be operated in normal sockets without ballast
- Made in Germany – quality ballast with automatic shut-off, overheat protection, safety shutdown (if metal-halide lamps do not ignite).
- Package contents: installation kit ready for connection for all metal-halide lamps with E27 socket. (Available for the following wattages: 35, 50 and 35-70 W)
JBL TempReflect light
- Doubles light 100%: high gloss reflector screen for terrariums.
- Clip reflector to holder (JBL TempSet not included), screw in lamp, switch on – ready!
- Increases depth of penetration and directs the essential UV-B light (with energy-efficient lamps emitting UV-B)
- Not suitable for use with lamps that get very hot or with heat emitters
- Package contents: reflector screen for energy-saving lamps, TempReflect light
JBL TempProtect II light
- Safety for reptiles in terrariums: lamp screen made of dimensionally stable special plastic LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer), heat-resistant up to 290°C
- Installation: unscrew adapter, put it around socket of JBL TempSet, screw adapter in again together with Tempset
- Prevents overheating & reduction of the bulb’s operational lifespan. Suitable for: UV spotlights, metal-halide lamps and other lamps
- Extremely safe: narrow slits and fine mesh prevent young animals from entering and burning themselves
- Contains: protective basket complete with metal mesh cover and bayonet for JBL TempSet (not included), screw driver
JBL TerraControl
- Easy check thermometer for the relative humidity and the temperature in terrariums
- Temperature range: -30 to +60 degrees
- Humidity values: from 0 to 100 % in steps of 10 %
- Area between 20 and 35 is marked as "optimal“
- Package contents: 1 thermometer and 1 hygrometer incl. suction cups and Velcro connections
General tips for terrarium lighting
Be sure to pay attention to the minimum or maximum distance between animal and lamp. Climbing features are a great way to keep these distances. Protection screens ( JBL TempProtect II light ) prevent animals from getting burned from jumping or climbing on the lamps.
You can significantly increase the service life of the lamps by not spraying the lamps when spraying the terrarium.
Using lamp holders with hinges to achieve your desired lamp angle is absolutely no problem, but please never install LUW spotlights (HQI) at an angle. These need to be suspended vertically and can only be operated with special ballasts.
Comparison of all terrarium lamp types
The following table gives you an outline telling you which lamp types have which properties. The more plus signs a lamp type has, the stronger the corresponding property. A minus sign means that the property is NOT present.
JBL product | Lamp type | Light | UV-A | UV-B | Heat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JBL ReptilJungle Daylight 24W | Energy-saving lamp | ++ | - | - | - |
JBL ReptilJungle UV Light 15W | Energy-saving lamp | + | + | + | - |
JBL ReptilJungle UV Light 23W | Energy-saving lamp | + | ++ | ++ | - |
JBL ReptilDesert Daylight 24W | Energy-saving lamp | ++ | - | - | - |
JBL ReptilDesert UV Light 15W | Energy-saving lamp | + | ++ | ++ | - |
JBL ReptilDesert UV Light 23W | Energy-saving lamp | + | ++ | ++ | - |
JBL UV-Spot plus (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) | Daylight UV spot lamp | + | ++ | ++ | ++ |
JBL ReptilJungle L-U-W Light alu (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) | Metal halide lamp | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ |
JBL ReptilDesert L-U-W Light alu (Special lamp for use in reptile keeping! Not suitable for other applications! No EEK label required. Exemption according to (EU) 2019/2015 Annex IV 3. c) UV radiation > 2mW/klm) | Metal halide lamp | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ |
JBL ReptilDay Halogen | Halogen spotlight | ++ | - | - | ++ |
JBL SOLAR REPTIL SUN T8 | Fluorescent tube | + | ++ | ++ | - |
JBL SOLAR REPTIL JUNGLE T8 | Fluorescent tube | + | + | + | - |
JBL SOLAR REPTIL SUN ULTRA T5 | Fluorescent tube | ++ | ++ | ++ | - |
JBL Reptil LED Daylight 12W | LED daylight lamp | +++ | - | - | - |
JBL LED SOLAR NATUR | LED light | +++ | - | - | - |