UVA lighting? Vitamin overdosing?

[Sebbie2502]

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So I bought a light for my soon to have leopard gecko and it’s a UVA light. And I was wondering if it will have the same effect as a UVB?

Also If it does have the same effect, would I still need to supplement D3?
Or would it lead to an overdose?

I’m getting a baby btw

[Elizabeth Freer]

So I bought a light for my soon to have leopard gecko and it’s a UVA light. And I was wondering if it will have the same effect as a UVB?

Also If it does have the same effect, would I still need to supplement D3?
Or would it lead to an overdose?

I’m getting a baby btw

Welcome to Geckos Unlimited, Sebbie!

UVA & UVB are different! Do you wish to use UVB from the beginning?

About how old is your young leo? Supplement advice depends so much on that.

Can you purchase a 20 long enclosure (30 x 12 x 12 inches tall or a 30 x 12 x 16 inches tall) for your young leo right from the beginning? The 16 inch tall enclosure provides sufficient room for a substrate level IF a naturalistic leo enclosure is in your plans.

[Sebbie2502]

Welcome to Geckos Unlimited, Sebbie!

UVA & UVB are different! Do you wish to use UVB from the beginning?

About how old is your young leo? Supplement advice depends so much on that.

Can you purchase a 20 long enclosure (30 x 12 x 12 inches tall or a 30 x 12 x 16 inches tall) for your young leo right from the beginning? The 16 inch tall enclosure provides sufficient room for a substrate level IF a naturalistic leo enclosure is in your plans.

I was planning on using UVB from the start yes. But the only option I had was a UVA light
I have yet to purchase the gecko but I’m planning on getting a young one, hopefully a hatchling.

I have a 40 gallon enclosure so I’m good in that department

[Elizabeth Freer]

I was planning on using UVB from the start yes. But the only option I had was a UVA light
I have yet to purchase the gecko but I’m planning on getting a young one, hopefully a hatchling.

I have a 40 gallon enclosure so I’m good in that department

I recommend setting up your enclosure with a proper heating gradient prior to getting your leo.

Please share the exact measurements of your 40 gallon, in inches, if possible. You may need Arcadia's 12 inch long ShadeDweller UVB with a reflective fixture + an adequate strength halogen bulb. I don't know where you can buy Arcadia products in Canada. I'll be back with a halogen bulb recommendation.

Often it takes a leo time to get accustomed to UVB. Until your 0-12 month old leo basks under his UVB "adequately", he'll need Schedule 124. Once he's really into basking under his UVB ShadeDweller + halogen bulb, then switch to Schedule 154. Please read each schedule carefully.

For link 124 click: Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 124 for leopard geckos 0-12 months old

For link 154 click: UVB Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 154 for leopard geckos 0-12 months old

[Elizabeth Freer]

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Hello Sebbie ~

Please share the dimensions of your 40 gallon breeder. I have those lighting specs now.

What are your day & night room temperatures where your enclosure will sit? *C are fine. Google will convert them.

Setting up an enclosure with UVB + a halogen bulb for heat is expensive. Are you prepared for "sticker shock"?

Setting up your leo's 40 gallon breeder enclosure "old school" with one, preferably two, 11 x 17 Ultratherm heat mats and supplements will keep a leo healthy for years. One can always switch to UVB later. In fact, using heat mats at the beginning is much easier for a young leo. There is far less experimenting with products to get the correct ones.

1. Inkbird on/off thermostat -- one model accepts two heat mats
2. One, preferably two, 11 x 17 Ultratherm heat mats
3. 8.5 inch Fluker's dome
4. 15 watt bulb to provide a photoperiod IF your enclosure is in a darker area