How to Install the Light Clamp for a Terrarium

Reptiles require three types of light sources: heat, daytime light and nighttime light. Clamp lights make it easy to change bulbs and place lighting sources where they are needed most. Unlike horizontal aquarium lights, clamp lights provide the hobbyist more control of the direction and concentration of the light source, making them capable of covering whole or partial tank habitat areas. Simulating your lizard's natural lighting schedule reduces stress and increases the health of your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • One UVB/A reptile light bulb
  • One red incandescent heating and nighttime bulb
  • Two reptile clamp lights
  • Electrical tape
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the red incandescent heating and night light clamp on one side of the tank. Angle the neck of the lamp so that the heat only covers half of the tank. This allows the reptile to have a cool area to retreat to prevent over heating.

    • 2

      Place UVB/A producing clamp light on the same side of the tank as the heating lamp, directly over the heat rock and about six inches above the top of the tank. Placing these lighting sources together encourages healthy basking habits necessary to produce vitamin D.

    • 3

      Make sure the reptile UVB/A clamp light bulb is 10 to 18 inches from the lizard's basking rock. This ensures the light stimulates the lizard's ability to manufacture proper amounts of vitamin D.

    • 4

      Hide the wires and secure them on the outside of the tank in a way that the lizard cannot use them as traveling cords to escape.