The 5 Best Basking Lights for Turtles

As a turtle owner, it is important to know about the best basking light for turtles.

A good basking light will provide your turtle with the necessary warmth and UVB exposure they need in order to thrive.

Not having a basking light for your turtle could have a negative impact on their health and well-being.

As you know, turtles need to get out of the water every so often to bask.

When they bask, their body temperature increases and they absorb the necessary UVB rays that will help them to metabolize calcium.

In this article, we will discuss how watts work with basking lights, different costs for each type of light, and some tips for usage.

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Top 5 Best Basking Lights for Turtles

Image	Product	Shop
	Simple Deluxe 150W Ceramic Heat Emitter	Check on Amazon
	Zilla Light & Heat Mini Halogen Bulbs	Check on Amazon
	Fluker’s Basking Spotlight Bulbs for Reptiles	Check on Amazon
	REPTI ZOO Reptile Heat Lamp Full Spectrum UVA UVB	Check on Amazon
	TEKIZOO UVA UVB Sun Lamp High Intensity Self-Ballasted	Check on Amazon

RELATED READ: The Best Heat Lamp for Tortoises

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What is The Best Basking Light for Turtles?

The best basking light for turtles is when the light provides your turtle with the necessary warmth and UVB exposure they need in order to thrive.

While there are always different opinions on what the “best basking light for turtles” is, we have narrowed it down to a few suggestions.

1. Simple Deluxe 150W Ceramic Heat Emitter

Looking for a safe and long-lasting heat emitter for your reptile or amphibian terrarium? Look no further than the Simple Deluxe 150W Ceramic Heat Emitter!

This bulb is made of high-quality ceramic and metal and is resistant to cracking and water damage. It also does not emit any light that could disturb your pet’s sleep cycle. Plus, it provides heat for up to 10,000 hours!

Specifications 🏷️	Features ✔️
Light Type: Ceramic no light heat emitter Socket: E26 Size: 100MM length/ 85MM diameter Material: Ceramic, NiCrAl Voltage: AC 100-120V Wattage: 150 watts	The lifespan of ~10,000 hours Resistant material to prevent crack prevention Smooth waterproof surface Uniform Heating Heat Resistant

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2. Zilla Light & Heat Mini Halogen Bulbs

100% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs, Zilla Light & Heat Mini Halogen Bulbs are made of thicker glass and have a stronger filament that provides up to 2,000 hours on average.

These 50-watt mini halogen bulbs provide healthy light and essential warmth for your reptile.

Specifications 🏷️	Features ✔️
Light Type: Halogen Socket: G9 socket Size: 2.5 x 0.75 x 4 inches Material: Coated red metallic Voltage: Standard 120V Wattage: 50 watts	Energy saver compared to other high bulbs watts Lasts longer than incandescent bulbs

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3. Fluker’s Basking Spotlight Bulbs for Reptiles

Fluker’s Basking Spotlight Bulbs for Reptiles is designed to direct heat and light toward a specific area.

The bulbs emit radiant heat (infrared light) that basking reptiles can feel but is invisible to the human eye. They come with a shatter-proof, UV-resistant glass globe and metal reflector, making them safe around pets.

Specifications 🏷️	Features ✔️
Light Type: Incandescent Size: 7 x 12 x 6 inches Voltage: Standard 120V Wattage: 60 watts	Works exactly as described Best value for money

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4. REPTI ZOO Reptile Heat Lamp Full Spectrum UVA UVB

This Repti Zoo Reptile Heat Lamp Full Spectrum UVA UVB provides the necessary radiation of the sun for reptiles, including visible light, heat, UVA, and UVB.

The UVA provides the warmth that cold-blooded animals are used to in nature, while the UVB production of Vitamin D3 helps to maintain healthy skin and bones for your reptile.

With a self-ballasted design and integrated thermal protection against overheating, this lamp is easy to use and perfect for any reptile lover.

Specifications 🏷️	Features ✔️
Light Type: Self-ballasted CFL Socket: E27 Size: 5 x 5 x 6.3 inches Voltage: Standard 120V Wattage: 160 watts	Provides UVB besides heating Self-Ballasted (means that the bulb doesn’t require a ballast to manage the electricity flow)

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5. TEKIZOO Deep Heat Lamp Infrared Heater

TEKIZOO deep heat infrared lamp is a 24-hour heating lamp for reptiles. It has an ideal all-day heat warming feature.

The carbon fiber filament could provide deep heat fast and averagely in the reptile terrariums meanwhile it will keep the humidity.

Specifications 🏷️	Features ✔️
Light Type: Halogen Socket: E26 Size: 5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches Voltage: Standard 120V Wattage: 50 watts	Produces plenty of heat Durable product

RELATED READ: The Best Turtle Basking Platforms

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Different Types of Heat Lamps

Heat lamps are often known as basking lamps or full-spectrum bulbs and come in a variety of hues, such as red, blue, black, and so on.

The colors of the light bulbs serve no purpose for the reptile.

There are two key differences between heat lamps that give light and those that don’t: they emit light or not.

For the ones that glow, I would suggest a full spectrum basking light since this (combined with a UVB light) is as close to natural sunlight as possible while also providing some UVA light for those species that require it as well as warmth.

However, some turtles are just fine with just room lighting and lighting can be skipped if heat and UVB light is provided differently.

There are different heat bulbs types such as:

Mercury vapor bulb	Light, UVB, and heat – get very hot
Ceramic light bulb	Doesn’t produce light, only heat, so is good for night time, if required
Incandescent light bulbs	Some glow, some don’t (do not give off heat or light), better for small tanks
Halogen flood light bulbs	They put out almost all of their energy as heat
Fluorescent bulbs	Don’t produce a lot of heat but do give off light that turtles may or may not need, so can be used in smaller tanks
Daylight LED bulbs	Similar to incandescent but doesn’t produce as much heat as incandescent

The wattage of a heat lamp, as well as the sort of lamp it is, influences how much heat it generates.

The size and shape of the lamp, as well as the type of glass surface, and the presence or absence of reflectors, are all factors that contribute to how hot a basking spot gets rapidly under any lamp of whatever wattage.

Can You Use a Regular Light Bulb For Turtle Basking?

You can place a regular household light bulb in the tank for basking, but it isn’t quite efficient at heating your turtle.

A basking light needs to be able to provide sufficient heat and light at the same time.

Are LED Lights OK For Turtles?

LED lights are great for turtles, but they need to be the right kind. Make sure you are using one that gives off some heat as well as light.

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A Little Gotcha About Wattage Bulbs

Depending on the size of the turtle habitat, the material used, and room temperatures, you’ll need to pick a specific wattage bulb.

For example, if your pet requires high heat in a 100-gallon tank, you may require a 100-150 watt bulb.

The crucial element is to find the right temperature range in the basking area. I can utilize a 100W bulb and place it perhaps 12″ from the basking spot, which provides me with an acceptable temperature range of about 85-degrees F.

With a 75-watt incandescent bulb mounted at the same distance, but closer to the basking area (such as 8″), I can achieve the same temperature.

What I’m saying is that the temperature of your basking area will be determined mostly by two things:

1. Bulb wattage
2. The distance between the bulb and the basking area

You can achieve your objective by tweaking one or both of these variables.

Safety Note: Make sure the fixture is capable of withstanding the wattage of your bulb. It should be inscribed inside the fixture somewhere. My light fixture, for example, can only handle 100W or fewer wattage bulbs.

Comparison of Different Bulbs and Their Heat Output

Watts	Type of Bulb	Temperature (°F) at 12″ ~5 min	Temperature (°F) of Lamp Fixture ~5 min
50	Halogen Flood Lamp	138	78
50	Halogen Spot Lamp	193	85
60	Heat Emitter	112	79
60	Incandescent “Black Light”	109	94
75	Incandescent Spot “Black Light”	101	96
100	Halogen Flood Lamp	178	86
100	Ceramic Heat Emitter	127	99
150	Incandescent “Brightlight”	209	77
150	Infra-red Spot	159	80
160	MV Flood “MegaRay SB”	112	77

This table shows the fact that the wattage of a lamp doesn’t correspond with its heat output.

Is It a Basking Light UVB or UVA?

Basking lights are separate from UVB and UVA lights.

UVB is a specialized light that turtles need to perform photosynthesis while basking lights are only a means of providing heat and light for their bodies.

So a basking light can be a normal incandescent bulb, a spot, or some other kind of artificial light providing heat.

Basking lights do not provide any UVB for the turtles, so if you are using just a basking light, then you will need to have your turtles receive some natural UVB from the sun or artificial lamps.

RELATED READ: The Best UVB Light for Turtles

How Warm Should a Turtle Basking Area Be?

The normal temperature range for a turtle basking area is between 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit.

It can be measured by using a probe or digital thermometer in the basking area.

This will give you a good idea of how much heat is being provided by your basking light.

Always triple-check basking area temperatures before allowing any reptiles to be exposed to new lamps.

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The Importance of Basking for Turtles

Basking is one of the most important parts of a turtle’s life, especially if they are spending time outside in an enclosed space.

Turtles need a certain amount of sunlight/day so they can be healthy, this is why it’s important to have a basking light that will supply your turtle with the amount of light they need.

Basking is when a reptile sits in an area where they receive heat from their environment, allowing them a chance to warm up.

Turtles use basking in order to regulate their body temperature properly, they must have an area that is warm enough, but not too hot.

Basking is also important for turtles because they can absorb natural light from the sun or artificial light, so their shell and bones grow correctly.

Do Turtles Sleep While Basking?

Yes, turtles will often go to sleep while basking.

If you’ve ever watched them out in nature or even in an enclosure, you’ve probably seen them laying or sitting in the sun.

Turtles will often go off to one side and do what’s called “basking-sleep”.

They’ll un-tuck their front and back legs, exposing the underside, and then just sit there.

This is their body preparing to go into a time of repair and restoration, and they sleep during this process.

Do Turtles Need Heat Lamps All The Time?

No, turtles can bask between 2-8 hours each day.

Turtles can easily overheat if they are exposed to basking lights for too long, so make sure you only use it in the appropriate care.

Should I Turn Off my Turtles’ Heat Lamp at Night?

Yes, the turtles are used with the night temperatures of their natural habitats, meaning they are not used to the day-night cycle of an enclosed space.

Therefore, you should turn off your basking light at night.

This will help your turtle regulate the temperature properly and they’ll feel more comfortable.

RELATED READ: Do Turtles Need Light at Night?

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Timer for Turtle Light

When using any type of lighting that’s necessary every day you will want to get a light timer. There are early timers and dusk to dawn lights. These basic turtle light timers will cost you ten dollars or less.

The next step up is a light timer with sunrise and sunset simulation for about twenty dollars.

The most advanced turtle timers are solar-powered, have multiple settings, different times for day and night, and more, this will cost you around 40 dollars.

Remember that turtles need a light source for 12 hours every day to stay healthy.

RELATED READ: The Best Reptile Light Timer

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Conclusion

Basking lights are important for turtles because they allow them to absorb the UVB rays that help them synthesize vitamin D3.

There are a variety of different types of basking lights, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. The most important thing to consider when choosing a basking light is how many watts it produces.

Basking lights come in a range of wattages, from 5 watts to 500 watts or more! It’s important to choose a light that will produce enough heat and UVB radiation for your turtle and that’s safe for them.

➡️ The cost of basking lights varies widely, from just a few dollars for an incandescent bulb to $40 or more for a solar-powered LED light. It’s important to find a light that fits your budget and meets your turtle’s needs.

➡️ In addition, you should have a timer for the light so that it operates during the correct times of the day. Light timers are relatively inexpensive, costing between $10-$20, but more advanced options may cost up to $40.

➡️ Basking lights should be placed directly above the basking spot to allow your turtle to get as close as possible.

Hope this article has helped you to know when and what type of light is best for your turtle pet.