Exo Terra Full Moon Review: A Detailed Look at This Energy Efficient Night Light

The Exo Terra Full Moon is an innovative LED light designed to simulate natural moonlight in reptile terrariums. As a reptile owner, providing your pet with proper lighting is crucial for their health and wellbeing. In this detailed review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features and performance of the Exo Terra Full Moon to see if it lives up to its claims.

Overview of the Exo Terra Full Moon

The Exo Terra Full Moon was created to mimic the glow of the moon in a terrarium environment This allows nocturnal reptiles to feel comfortable and exhibit their natural behaviors at night The light has a realistic moon-like design with craters and shimmering moonbeams,

Some key features of the Full Moon include:

• Low 1 watt energy consumption
• Light sensor automatically turns on at night
• Dim light perfect for crepuscular/nocturnal species
• Allows observation of reptiles’ nighttime activities
• Easy magnetic installation

The circular light is small, measuring just 25 x 6 x 87 inches. It gives off a soft glow, providing enough light for reptiles to navigate while keeping energy usage low. The cratered surface scatters light in a moonbeam effect.

Installation and Usage

Installing the Exo Terra Full Moon is quick and straightforward thanks to the magnetic backing Simply peel off the plastic film to expose the magnets and place against a steel screen lid The light easily detaches for cleaning or replacement,

Usage couldn’t be simpler. Just plug it in and the built-in light sensor automatically turns on the moonlight when it senses darkness. No switches or additional equipment needed. The bulb produces a gentle glow that isn’t overpowering but allows observation of nocturnal activity.

It’s important to note that the Full Moon is not waterproof. Avoid using hand misters, foggers, or getting water on the bulb itself. For safety, Exo Terra recommends keeping the light at least 4 inches from heat fixtures.

Performance and Impressions

Overall, the Exo Terra Full Moon performs very well and creates lovely moonlight ambiance. The automatic on/off function works flawlessly based on ambient light levels. Within a minute or two of turning off the overhead lights, the moon switches on.

The cratered surface diffuses the LED nicely, giving an authentic moon glow rather than a harsh point source of light. The light levels are perfect for illuminating a terrarium at night without being too bright. My crested geckos happily explore under the moonlight and exhibit natural behavior.

I’ve been using the Exo Terra moon for over 6 months without issue. It stays put on the lid and allows easy observation of the geckos at night. Definitely a product I would recommend to recreate those peaceful moonlit nights.

For smaller terrariums under 18 inches, the moon may look overly bright. But for larger reptile enclosures, it provides the ideal gentle illumination. The soft glow allows just enough light for nocturnal species while still feeling natural.

Additional Considerations

There are a few additional things to keep in mind with the Exo Terra Full Moon:

• Requires metal screen lid for magnetic installation. Won’t work on glass or acrylic lids.

• Moon surface can collect dust/debris over time. Occasional cleaning is recommended.

• Not designed for high humidity reptiles like tree frogs or chameleons.

• Moonlight may be too dim for certain reptiles depending on their vision and needs.

While the moon is rated for 100,000 hours of use, LED bulbs can degrade and dim over time. Plan on replacing every 2-3 years for peak performance. At 1 watt usage, it’s very energy efficient for 24/7 operation.

Cost Analysis

The Exo Terra Full Moon retails for $25 which is very affordable for a specialty reptile lighting product. Providing naturalistic moonlighting for under $30 is a great value. The energy savings vs traditional bulbs is another benefit. There are cheaper generic moon lights available, but Exo Terra’s proven quality and natural design are worth the slight premium.

Final Verdict on the Exo Terra Full Moon

After extensively testing the Exo Terra Full Moon, I’m happy to report it delivers quality nighttime illumination for reptiles. The automatic on/off sensor works perfectly and creates a realistic moonlight glow. For nocturnal species, it allows observation of natural behaviors at night. It’s easy to install and provides energy efficient lighting.

The Exo Terra Full Moon beautifully simulates natural moonbeams and nighttime habitat. If you want your crepuscular or nocturnal reptile to thrive with normal day/night cycles, the Exo Terra Moon is an excellent choice. It performs very well and creates an authentic moonlit environment in your terrarium.