The Exo Terra Solar Glo is a self-ballasted mercury vapour bulb that does in one fitting what usually takes three: UVB, UVA, visible light and heat.

Why One Bulb Instead of Three

A standard reptile setup needs a UVB tube, a basking lamp for heat, and often a third bulb for visible light. That means multiple fixtures, multiple sockets and a cluttered lid. The Solar Glo replaces the lot, which is why professional breeders tend to favour it — fewer points of failure and a much simpler enclosure.

It also gets closer to what the sun actually does. Sunlight arrives as heat, light and UV together, and reptiles evolved to respond to that combination: they bask where it is warm, and take their UV at the same time. Splitting the sources can leave an animal basking under heat while sitting outside the UV.

Why UVB Matters

Reptiles use UVB to make vitamin D3 in their skin, and without D3 they cannot absorb dietary calcium — however much you dust onto their food. Getting this wrong causes metabolic bone disease: soft, deforming bones, tremors and a rubbery jaw. Glass and plastic block UVB, so a window is no substitute and a bulb outside a glass lid does nothing.

Key Features

• Sun-simulating bulb — UVB, UVA, visible light and heat together
• Full spectrum with tuned peaks for appetite, activity, colour and calcium absorption
• Helps prevent metabolic bone disease
• Increased UVB penetration distance (+30 cm / 12 in)
• Self-ballasted — fits a standard ceramic socket, no separate ballast
• Available in 80W, 125W and 160W

Specifications

Compatible Fixtures

• Exo Terra Light Dome (PT2057)
• Exo Terra Reptile Dome (PT2349)
• Exo Terra Wire Light (PT2062)

A ceramic socket is essential. Mercury vapour bulbs run hot, and a plastic socket is a fire risk.

Setting It Up

• Choose the wattage to suit enclosure size and the basking temperature your species needs — 80W for smaller terrariums, 160W for large or tall ones.
• Measure the basking surface temperature with a thermometer before the animal goes in, and adjust the height until it is right. Never guess.
• Always leave a cooler, shaded end so your reptile can move away from both heat and UV.
• Use on a thermostat-free circuit — mercury vapour bulbs must not be dimmed or run through a dimming thermostat, which will destroy them.

Replacement

Replace as the manufacturer advises. UV output declines well before the bulb stops lighting, so a bulb that still looks bright may have stopped doing its most important job. Write the fitting date on the base.

Safety

• Do not look directly into the bulb.
• Let it cool completely before handling.
• Keep well clear of water and mist — thermal shock can shatter a hot bulb.