Terrarium lighting: understanding LEDs, UVB and heat

Choose terrarium lighting by the function you need. Lighting for plants, a UVB source and a heat source are not interchangeable.

Visible light for a planted terrarium

For plants, compare coverage, mounting height and optics among LED lights for terrariums. The guide to a planted tropical terrarium can help you size this part of the setup. A light described as having a “full spectrum” does not prove that it emits the UVB an animal needs.

UVB: choose for the species and setup

Establish the species’ needs with a reliable specialist source, then check the instructions for the lamp and reflector. Distance, mesh and the animal’s accessible basking area all affect exposure. The UVB percentage printed on a tube is not enough to define a setup. Read the UVB guide and browse UVB equipment.

Heat: measure actual temperatures

Size the heater for the species and setup, using temperatures measured in the enclosure. A “1 watt per litre” rule cannot guarantee a basking temperature. Use instruments and controls compatible with the equipment; do not assume that different control systems are interchangeable.

Avoid universal promises

No single device can guarantee the health of every reptile. A night-time setting must respect the animal’s needs; do not assume that a coloured light is always invisible or has no effect. Have husbandry parameters checked by a specialist source, and contact a veterinarian if an animal shows symptoms.

Editorial review: 3 October 2026 · TerraLED. Set up your equipment according to its instructions and the needs of the species.