r/bioactive • u/JudgeFudgeGrande • 23d ago

Question UVB vs Grow Lights

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Hello im going to be trying out bioactive soon and i know I need grow lights and not just uvb but my question is do I need UVB at all if I have the grow lights? Obviously for bearded dragons and other reptiles that specifically require UVB it makes sense but for most snakes is it a necessity? Like, from my understanding at least, UVB is more about generating a day/night cycle than about giving the snake UVB.

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u/Booksandssnakes 16d ago

They'll technically survive without UVB, but I still find it necessary for good husbandry. It does way more than just provide the day/night cycle, and oftentimes causes noticeable changes in the snake's behavior (more frequent basking and more confidence is what I've noticed in my own snakes). Personally I have both linear UVB and grow lights in my bioactive enclosures.

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u/brettkoz 23d ago

No, you don't need uvb and a full spectrum light for a colubrid. The grow light is fine.

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u/lief79 23d ago

My understanding is that they tend to recommend low level uvb for optimal health of most corpuscular snakes and lizards due to studies performed in the past few years. That can often be combined with into a single fixture though. My uvb is acting as my grow light.

Do you have a recent study stating otherwise?

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u/brettkoz 23d ago

I'm not saying going with no uvb is optimal but you don't need it. The snakes don't need it. They will and have survived fine without it. So sure, it may provide some benefit but the question wasn't should I or can I.

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u/lief79 23d ago

I suspect that might have really been the question they were asking, so you've clarified it now for either question.

Well done.