[oli]

I'm curious who does and who does not use UV lights for their Strophurus geckos? I'm asking because I'd like to know if you guys think it's a necessity, a luxury, not necessary, beneficial but not imperative etc. Please help me out as feedback would be very much appreciated!

[Geck82]

Hi Oli,
I use UV light on all my ciliaris and I swear by it. I have found with juveniles that don't have UV light they tend to be not as strong as ones with it and sometimes leads to shedding problems, could also be a coincidence....
Chris

[Rob D'heu]

I also provide my animals with Uv light . They are always basking so I really think it is needed

[docwade87]

Oli,
I haven't used any UV on my Strophurus, but I don't think it would hurt at all. Being new to the species, I am still figuring them out, but I use them on my ciliatus and I don't think it has made any significant differences. If you supplement your feeders right and dust them with good calcium/vitamin supplements there shouldn't be but so much more difference than having a UV bulb on them. If anything you could run the risk of producing toxic levels of D3 which takes a ton, it all depends on the D3 concentration you are using.

Then again, some species have shown positive benefits from UV light (i.e bearded dragons, dart frogs) and have been proven to absorb and process UV light. I have not seen any definite answers on wether Strophurus or Rhacodactylus do this, there are stipulations, but no solid information.

[oli]

Yea, I just think that being that they are always basking that the UV would have a very positive effect on egg production and overall well being. It's just another bulb to add to the hefty collection already =)

[Ozymandias]

oli what bulbs do you use? 2.0 5.0?

[Geck82]

I use 10.0 on mine and they sit as close as they can to it

[docwade87]

What size tank do you have?? I only use 5.0 UVBs on all of my enclosures that are no bigger than 18x18x24

[Geck82]

Originally Posted by docwade87

What size tank do you have?? I only use 5.0 UVBs on all of my enclosures that are no bigger than 18x18x24

Mine are 18x18x24

[Pitbullgeckos]

Back in the good old days, when I bred chameleons for a living, I made quite an effort to understand this. UV and D3 metabolism is not an easy task,,,,,,,,,,

Why use UVB? This is the first question you have to ask yourself. UVB is used becorse study after study have shown that diffrent calcium related condisions occour if humans, reptiles, corals etc are not exposed to UVB. When exposed we and many other living things produce vitamine D3, this vitamin is then used in the body so we can absorbe calcium in the metabolism to build scletton, eggs, whatever.

The problem with this is that it´s just an absumtion, we do not understand how this works. Why do some spices get MBD and some not?

The key is D3. If you can provide enough D3 by feeding or some other way the problem seam to disapear even without UVB.

But D3 is a tricky little ****er,,,,,,,it gets old, it´s non sticky, etc.

SO.....if you are not shure about if you are giving your animals enough D3, do not walk on the wild side, provide UVB. If you got a potent D3 sourse skip the UVB.
Forget about comercial reptilevitamines as a D3 sourse, you´ll need something moore potent, look at the birdindusty products etc.

I rasied hundreds of chameleons each year for many years without a single UVB-ray but with lot´s of D3. They same goes for any reptile but some need moore. Strops, F.pardalis etc probably need a lot.

Sorry about my bad english,,,,,you boys should try Swedish