Find out what is the best light for leopard gecko from UVB, heat, LED, basking and daytime light.

The ultimate leopard gecko lighting guide: tips, reviews, and recommendations.

What type of lighting does my leopard gecko need to stay healthy? What specific heat, light, and UVB sources work best? Will regular bulbs do or do they need specialized reptile lighting? What about LEDs? How close should the bulbs be? Do I need different daytime vs nighttime lighting?

If you’re wondering how to create the optimal lighting setup for your leopard gecko, this guide has you covered. Proper illumination is crucial for leos, affecting everything from their energy levels to calcium metabolism.

We’ll take a look at the key considerations for daytime heat and light, UVB requirements, nighttime heating, maximizing light benefits, and energy-efficient options.

You’ll learn the ideal temperature gradients, light spectrums, intensities, and distances to aim for based on extensive herpetoculture research and experienced leopard gecko owner input.

By the end, you’ll be able to provide the 24-hour illumination cycle that mimics their natural habitat for a thriving leo.

Let’s shed some light on the best possible lighting for your leopard gecko!

Expert recommended 6 Best Light for Leopard Gecko

1. Lucky Herp UVA UVB Reptile Light 5.0
2. Zilla Reptile Terrarium Incandescent Heat Bulb
3. Fluker’s Red Heat Bulb
4. Zoo Med Reptisun Led Terrarium Hood
5. Zoo Med Day & Night Reptile Bulb
6. Exo Terra Repti Glo 5.0 Tropical Terrarium Lamp

Overall Best UVB Light for Leopard Gecko : Lucky Herp UVA UVB Reptile Light 5.0

The Lucky Herp UVA UVB Reptile Light 5.0 is a high quality fluorescent lamp designed specifically for reptile habitats. It emits beneficial levels of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which are essential for a reptile’s health and wellbeing.

Many reptiles, especially diurnal species like leopard geckos, require exposure to UVA and UVB light in order to properly synthesize vitamin D3 and calcium.

Without adequate UV light, they can suffer from metabolic bone disease and other health issues.

This reptile lamp from Lucky Herp provides just the right blend of UVA and UVB output, stimulating natural behaviors like basking and thermoregulation in reptiles.

It is compatible with all standard E26/E27 screw-in light sockets commonly found in the United States. With a rated lifespan of up to 8,000 hours of continuous use, this UVB bulb will provide multiple years of beneficial light before needing replacement.

The 5.0 designation indicates the percentage of UVB this bulb produces relative to intense summer sunlight.

This makes it an ideal choice for a leopard gecko’s terrarium, providing UV exposure similar to their native habitat without risk of overexposure.

When paired with an appropriate heat lamp, the Lucky Herp UVA UVB Reptile Light 5.0 creates an optimal temperature gradient and daytime lighting environment suited for leopard geckos and many other reptiles.

Herpetoculturists recommend this high quality UVB light for all types of reptile setups and enclosures.

Best Heat Bulb for Leopard Gecko : Zilla Reptile Terrarium Incandescent Heat Bulb

As a fellow reptile lover, I totally get how finding the perfect heat lamp for your leopard gecko can be tricky.

With 25+ years crafting rad reptile gear, Zilla really knows their stuff when it comes to lighting. Independent tests show this white bulb can pump out bright, natural sunshine-like light for over 10 hours a day.

It gets nice and hot too – leo owners report it easily hitting the 90-100°F sweet spot for basking when used right.

What I really love about this lamp is how it recreates the daytime light leopard geckos would get in the wild.

The bright white 6500K color temperature is perfect for their active, day-loving lifestyle compared to some blue or red nighttime bulbs.

Lots of fellow leo parents, myself included, use this for 10-12 hours daily and see our geckos thrive under the light and warmth it kicks out.

The major perk is it really boosts leopard gecko behaviors like sun basking and feeding. Downside is it uses more electricity than some other options out there. Zilla has recently made this bulb shatter-proof which is awesome for safety.

For us leo keepers, nailing the right light color, brightness, and heat for their daytime needs is super important. Zilla put a ton of thought into this bulb to create something perfect for our little ones. After 20+ years making rad reptile stuff, they’ve earned a ton of trust in the reptile community.

So if you’re hunting for an awesome daylight heat lamp like I was, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try for your leopard gecko’s tank based on all the success other owners have had. The results speak for themselves – it just works!

Best Red Heat Bulb For Leopard Gecko : Fluker’s Red Heat Bulb

Having the right nighttime bulb is so important for our geckos. With over 40 years crafting reptile gear, Fluker’s has mad skills when it comes to lights.

Tests show this red bulb gives off a nice dim glow and keeps temps in the 75-85°F range leos need at night – fellow owners confirm it nails those ambient temps.

The deep red light works great for leos’ crepuscular nature and low night activity compared to harsh white light. I use this bulb to give my girl 10-12 hours of gentle overnight warmth and she snoozes like a baby!

Biggest benefit in my opinion is it maintains the right temps without disturbing their sleep. Only real downside is it uses more electricity than ceramic heaters. But Fluker’s has been perfecting the dark ruby red color for decades now.

We know getting that nighttime warmth without bright light is clutch for healthy leos. Fluker’s designed this bulb with leos’ specific needs in mind. With all their years in the reptile game, Fluker’s is a trusted name.

Zoo Med Reptisun Led Terrarium Hood

If you’re searching for the best possible lighting for your leopard gecko’s terrarium, look no further than the Zoo Med Reptisun LED Terrarium Hood. With over 30 years of reptile health expertise, Zoo Med hits another home run with this innovative LED fixture.

The customizable modular design is genius. You can swap specific LED panels to tailor the lighting to your leo’s needs. Suspending the hood is easy with the included kit. This flexibility combined with adjustable sizing means it fits virtually any terrarium.

The 6500K full spectrum LEDs mimic natural sunlight, supporting leopard gecko behaviors and circadian rhythms. The blue nightlight setting is perfect for moonlight effects after dark.

For leos, the addition of red plant growth LEDs are a bonus. The 20,000 hour lifespan also far outlasts traditional bulbs requiring frequent changes.

You want the healthiest, happiest leo possible? invest in the Zoo Med Reptisun LED. Your gecko will thrive under the naturalistic daylight and nighttime lighting cycles it provides. This LED fixture earns my highest recommendation for any leopard gecko habitat.

Best Daytime Light for Leopard Gecko : Zoo Med Day Night Reptile Bulbs

Creating an optimal 24-hour illumination cycle is crucial for leopard geckos to thrive. That’s why Zoo Med’s Day & Night Reptile Bulb Combo Pack is my top lighting recommendation for any leo habitat.

The Daylight Blue bulb is genius – it replicates bright sunshine and heat leos need all day to bask, feed, and stay active. The blue spectrum and heat output perfectly supports their daylight-loving nature.

Then comes the Nightlight Red bulb – this deep red glow gives just enough warmth while allowing dark conditions for leos’ crepuscular instincts at night. It maintains ambient temperatures without disruption.

Together, the tailored day and night bulbs promote healthy leopard gecko behaviors and circadian rhythms. With Zoo Med’s 30+ years of reptile health expertise, you can trust this combo pack to create the perfect lighting environment.

If you want to effortlessly provide the right 24-hour illumination for your leo to thrive, the Zoo Med Day & Night Bulbs have you covered. Highly recommended for every leopard gecko habitat!

Exo Terra Repti Glo 5.0 Tropical Terrarium Lamp

At first glance, the clean white light of Exo Terra’s Repti Glo 5.0 compact fluorescent bulb appears simplistic – but behind its understated look lies ingenious design perfect for leopard geckos. This is no pedestrian heat and light source for leopard gecko terrariums.

Astute leopard gecko enthusiasts understand that Exo Terra’s European origins signal sophisticated mastery of herpetological lighting needs. The Repti Glo’s prudent 26 watt output demonstrates exquisite attention to leos’ specific thermal and lighting requirements.

But the true artistry of this UVB bulb is subtle ambience it brings to the leopard gecko terrarium or vivarium. The Repti Glo infuses the habitat with a refined glow – transporting your leopard gecko to Africa’s sun-bathed savannas without garish imitation.

With its moderate heat production, bright white light emission, and 5% UVB output, the Repti Glo 5.0 replicates the illuminance of the leopard gecko’s native subtropical habitat. Leopard geckos are diurnal, crepuscular reptiles that thrive with appropriate daytime basking and ambient temperatures provided by quality terrarium lighting.

For the selective leopard gecko owner pursuing elegance alongside utility in herpetoculture lighting, Exo Terra’s Repti Glo 5.0 delivers. A bulb this gracefully calibrated is a connoisseur’s choice for the distinguished leopard gecko terrarium or vivarium. It caters to the intricate lighting needs of advanced Eublepharis macularius keepers seeking high quality, healthy illumination.

Important Questions

Do Leopard Geckos Need Light at Night?

No, leopard geckos do not need light at night. As crepuscular reptiles, leopard geckos are most active during dawn and dusk. They require complete darkness at night to support their natural circadian rhythms. Any light exposure at night can disrupt their sleep-wake cycles and stress them. The ideal is to provide 12-14 hours of bright, white light during the day and 10-12 hours of total darkness at night.

What Watt UVB Bulb for Leopard Gecko?

For adult leopard geckos in a 20 gallon tank, a linear UVB bulb around 26-30 watts spaced 8-12 inches from basking areas is ideal. Lower wattage compact UVB bulbs around 13-26 watts can work for juveniles or smaller enclosures. Bulb output should provide around 30-40 microwatts/cm2 of UVB at basking distances. Reputable UVB brands like Reptisun and Arcadia are recommended.

Can I Use a Black Light for My Leopard Gecko?

Black lights are not recommended for leopard geckos. Although they produce minimal visible light, black lights still emit light in the UV spectrum that can disrupt leopard geckos’ day/night cycles. The unnatural wavelengths can also potentially cause eye issues. Best to stick with pure darkness at night.

Do Leopard Geckos See Blue Light?

Yes, leopard geckos can see blue light. They have photoreceptor cells receptive to blue wavelengths. Blue lights should be avoided at night as leopard geckos can still perceive them, but they can be used constructively during the day to simulate natural daylight.

Best Basking Light for Leopard Gecko?

For basking, an incandescent halogen bulb around 50-75 watts controlled by a dimmer is ideal. This focused heating light above a basking platform should create a 95-100°F zone for proper leopard gecko thermoregulation. Infrared or ceramic heat emitters can also work.

Best Light Setup for Leopard Gecko?

The best setup uses linear UVB lighting overlapping the warm basking area during the day and no light at night. Provide 10-12 hours of darkness nightly.Bright white light for 10-12 hours daily can also boost activity levels. LED or fluorescent strip lighting across the tank works well for ambient illumination.

Lighting for Albino Leopard Gecko

Albino leopard geckos have a genetic mutation that reduces melanin pigment production. This makes their eyes more sensitive to light. Bright lighting should be avoided.

Lower wattage bulbs around 25-40W are recommended for daytime heat/light. Position bulbs farther away, around 18-24 inches from basking spots.

UVB exposure is still important for albino leos, but with a low 3-5% UVB output bulb. Place 12-18 inches away to prevent eye irritation.

Measure light intensity. Aim for lower lux readings of 500-1500 lux for albinos vs. 2500-5000 lux for normal leos.

Use dimmers, rheostats or timers to precisely control photoperiods. Start with 8-10 hours of light, increasing gradually.

Deep dome fixtures that shroud bulbs reduce glare. Place hides on the shaded cool side for relief.

Moonlight blue or red <25W night bulbs are better than total darkness for albinos if they seem stressed.

Avoid bright white, blue or green colored bulbs. Stick to warmer yellows and reds.

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