Reptile Kits

Which lighting kit does my reptile need?

The right lighting kit depends on two things: whether the reptile is tropical or desert-dwelling, and whether it needs heat at night. Tropical species take UVB 5.0 and desert species UVB 10.0 or an HID lamp; those living in a home with a stable night-time temperature do not need heat at night. With those two answers, the choice is simple:

• No night-time heat: daytime lighting kit, with a compact UVB bulb and a heat spot lamp.
• With night-time heat: day and night lighting kit, with UVB, a non-light-emitting ceramic bulb and a thermostat.
• Desert species with high UVB needs, such as the bearded dragon: HID kit for desert reptiles.
• Chameleons: chameleon lighting kit, with a T5 tube and a heat spot lamp.

All kits come with the UVB bulb and heat source already matched, so you do not have to buy each part separately.

What is the difference between the daytime kit and the day and night kit?

The difference is night-time heat: the daytime kit only heats during the day, while the day and night kit also maintains the temperature at night, without light. The daytime lighting kit (€44.95) includes 2 wired ceramic lamp holders, 2 clamp stands, a 5.0 or 10.0 compact UVB bulb and a heat spot lamp of 25 to 100 W; version II (€52) replaces the lamp holders with 2 lamp domes.

The day and night kit (€68) includes 2 lamp domes, a compact UVB bulb, a ceramic heat bulb of 25 to 150 W and a digital thermostat with probe. At night the UVB switches off and the ceramic bulb heats without emitting light, only when the temperature drops below the set value. The professional version (€99) comes with a dimming thermostat with day/night programming, which regulates power gradually and lets you programme the night-time temperature drop.

Which lighting kit for bearded dragons and desert reptiles?

For bearded dragons and desert reptiles, the most complete kit is the HID kit for desert reptiles, because the HID lamp provides UVB, UVA, heat and visible light in a single bulb. It includes a complete 35, 50 or 70 W HID unit with ceramic lamp holder and wiring, a digital thermostat with probe, a 25 to 150 W ceramic bulb for night-time and 2 clamp stands (€99). The professional version (€132) adds a day/night dimming thermostat and an extra ceramic lamp holder.

It is designed for Pogona vitticeps, monitors such as Varanus exanthematicus or V. acanthurus, tegus, uromastyx and tortoises such as Testudo hermanni, T. graeca or Geochelone sulcata. The HID lamp is not connected to a thermostat and should not be switched off before 4 hours of continuous use. If you only need the lamp, the complete HID kit with bulb and ballast costs €59.

Which lighting kit for chameleons?

The chameleon lighting kit is a system combining a T5 UVB tube and its fitting with a dome and a 100 W heat spot lamp, the combination we recommend for this species. Chameleons tolerate a drop in temperature at night, so they do not need night-time heat and this kit does not include it. The tube comes in 5.0 for tropical species or 10.0 for desert species, and in 57 cm (24 W) or 87 cm (39 W), from €89; the availability of each version is shown on the product page.

It is suitable for the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), the Yemen or veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), the jewelled chameleon (Furcifer lateralis), Trioceros jacksonii, Furcifer oustaleti and Rhampholeon pygmy chameleons. If you also need the terrarium, chameleon kits has complete mesh terrariums with lighting included, in basic, professional and pair versions.

Where can you buy reptile supplies online?

Scale Area is an online shop specialising in supplies for reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, founded by a vet specialising in exotic animals. The shop stocks UVB lighting, heating, terrariums, substrates, supplements and live food, as well as these ready-made kits.

• Product shipping: €4.95 to mainland Spain and Portugal, free on orders over €49.
• Delivery time: products arrive within 24-48 hours of the order being dispatched, usually the day after it is placed; large terrariums may take a little longer.
• Returns: 14 calendar days for products that are not animals, unused and in their original packaging.
• Contact: info@scalearea.com or WhatsApp 622 739 200.

All the details are in shipping and delivery and in the FAQs.