[Geckooo]

I'm thinking about setting up a naturalistic vivarium for some U. sikorae, but I hear that they need UVB while others say they don't because of them primarily being a nocturnal species. So do they need it or not?

[luevelvet]

First I'd like to emphasize that this topic requires much more research than has been done, however, I have noticed certain species gravitating towards UVB sources during the day. Now this doesn't mean they should be blasted with UVB but I use 2.0 bulbs over all of the babies and most of the adults. I don't feel it's *required* however I like to er on the side of caution with my animals.

Cheers!

Luis

[Lordoftheswarms]

If you are going with a naturalistic vivarium, you are going to have plants. Plants need UVB. You will have UVB lights regardless, so your question is rendered moot.

[Geckooo]

Thanks for the replys. As for the plants and UVB thing, I am going to make a 40 gallon breeder vertical tank. Any of you who work with dart frogs would know what it is and the thing is the lights would be over glass which won't allow UVB to pass through.

[toksyn]

Originally Posted by Lordoftheswarms

If you are going with a naturalistic vivarium, you are going to have plants. Plants need UVB. You will have UVB lights regardless, so your question is rendered moot.

I'm not sure this is exactly fair. The UVB requirements of plants vary, and it's not accurate to make a blanket statement like this. Not all lights emit UVB at useful intensities either, especially if they aren't a special purpose bulb.

Since OP mentioned 40 gallon breeder vertical conversion and dart frogs, I think I'll provide examples from the frogger side:

I don't think the majority of keepers use UVB lights with their frogs, as there are indications that UVB could hinder tadpole growth and burn the skins of mature frogs. UVB is avoided for the sake of the animals (there are a few exceptions, but this is largely true). Uroplatus are obviously not anurans, but their UVB requirements have yet to be satisfactorily quantified. Additionally, I don't think we have UVB data from the habitats of these animals, at least not on this forum or easily accessible to the layman. I think we can say that their UVB requirements shouldn't be as high as other species who do not dwell mostly in the forest understory where there just isn't much light penetration. Keep in mind that the UVB lights will really only be effective for a short distance away from the bulb (can be much less than two feet) so even if there isn't a glass barrier between the gecko and the bulb, if the gecko does not stay within the effective range of the bulb the only effect you are getting is a lighter wallet.

As for plants, using 6500K spectrum lighting with sufficient intensity will yield the best results for you. For the 40g.b. vertical though, you will probably want to use a metal halide with a cooling fan directed at the top pane of glass or LED spotlights to get sufficient penetration. Otherwise, any plants at the bottom of the tank that are not heavy shade plants (or are as indestructible as pothos) will probably not fare well. Getting sufficient lighting intensity is especially important if you have perches and epiphytic plants growing in the middle or upper areas of the tank as they can dramatically reduce the intensity of light in their shadows. I personally don't see the reduced lighting in the "understory" of the tank as a bad thing - you usually don't see lush, vibrant growth in a heavily shaded forest understory, and being restricted to some appropriate branches and leaf litter in this area may be perfect for the geckos anyway.

I've included a photo of a 40g.b.v. I recently completed.


(Please excuse the bare backgrounds - I'm waiting for the moss and background cover plants to start growing in.)

I used two 6500K 24W LED spots to get penetration all the way to the floor, with an auxiliary 6500K 26W CFL for light spread at the top. There are regions in deep shadow (hence, no plants) even with that arrangement.

I would recommended taking advantage of the wealth of examples and information on Dendroboard if you are attempting a naturalistic vivarium for the first time (this one is one of my favorites). The caveat is that these tanks will be way too wet and bright for Uroplatus, but the I think the information and techniques are still quite applicable.

TL;DR - there isn't a concrete answer, natural vivaria require some planning and a better understanding of how to grow plants, and gross generalizations (about UVB requirements) are gross.

[miguel camacho!]

I've never known plants to need UVB, but I have noticed that certain plants may benefit from UVB.

And just because the animals are nocturnal does not mean they receive no UV exposure. It is unlikely that they are receiving direct UV exposure throughout the day, but there is still a decent chance there is some level of UV exposure during the average day. However, this all depends on their habits in the wild and possibly time of year (does the declination angle of the sun change UV exposure levels? anyone?). The point of the "Uroplatus UVB Project" was to get at answering this very question...what are the realized UV exposure levels of wild animals. Unfortunately, a good idea seems to have gotten nowhere as Bill Love was designated as the man to carry out the mission, however the problem is he has not made a trip since the idea was put forth and the money pledged.

[Peter B]

I did some UVB- measurements last weeks in Marojejy and Betampona in the biotopes of Uroplatus giganteus, fimbriatus, ebenaui, sikorae and lineatus. What I noticed:
All Uroplatus were found in heavy shade during the day.
There was almost no (zero to 1 µw/cm²) UVB in the places where the animals were.
In dappleled shade in the surrounding areas there was about 25µw/cm² UVB. That's about the same level as a E.T. 5.0 at 20cm distance.

As the sun turns during the day I suppose that the animals receive the 25µw/cm²during half an hour per day maximum.

With my lineatus and guentheri's I use a 5.0 in small and medium high terrariums (25cm up to 1 meter). In a very tall terrarium of 2.5m high I use a 10.0 lamp. With reasonably good succes.

[lauraleellbp]

I'd like to know what plants people have found or think need UV? I've never kept UV over any of my plants or planted tanks. Not by any means saying they don't exist, but I am extremely curious whether there are plant species that do in fact need it?

[Uroplatus]

Hey Peter,

thank you very much for your important informations. I hope you had a great time at those spots.

Do you have travel alone or with help of an agency?

And to the topic, i have also much better results with uv light at my setups. I use in all my enclosures 5.0 tubes. Especially U. henkeli is sitting at daytime very near at those tubes.

Greetings,
Oliver.

[miguel camacho!]

The only particular plant I've had better success with than without UVB is Ficus benjamina.

Edit: I take that back. I believe my Schefflera arboricola benefited from UVB exposure (or at least some other quality the bulbs provide).