[Vee-vee]

What is the best source of vitamin D for leopard geckos? Vitamin powder or UV?

[Doublet74]

I'd have to go with the powder. Leos don't really bask. Some are actually bothered by bright light. JMO

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by Doublet74

I'd have to go with the powder. Leos don't really bask. Some are actually bothered by bright light. JMO

I totally agree with Doublet74 for the exact same reasons. All bright lights are hard on the leo's eyes, at the least from the stress factor.

[Yoshi'smom]

+ 1 on the two previous posts.

[Vee-vee]

If is bright light bad for geckos, may I remove it from terrarium? I use 40W bulb for heating the terrarium.

[zelda]

I use both UV light and vitamin D powder, but powder is the main source.

In nature they have the possibility to go out in sunlight, and I'm all about naturalistic setup, so I like to give them this possibility in captivity as well.

Only one of my leos are out at day, so they don't use it much.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by Vee-vee

If is bright light bad for geckos, may I remove it from terrarium? I use 40W bulb for heating the terrarium.

I recommend replacing that 40W bulb with a bulb which produces red light of whatever wattage you need. If you need to go to a higher wattage to find a bulb, then plug the bulb into a dimmer to adjust down the heat. Many folks totally heat their leos with an Under Tank Heater (UTH).

Vee-vee ~ How are you checking the cage temperature?

Here is a quote from my leo recommendations:
"A 20 gallon long tank (30 inches long x ~12 inches x ~12 inches) is the best choice to maintain the thermal gradient you want: 90-95 F/32.5-35 C on the warm side to 70ish F/21 C on the cool side. The lighting/heating can be turned off at night if room temperatures do not fall lower than about 65-67 F/18.5-19.5 C. This tank will make a leopard gecko or a pair happy for life! With a standard 10 gallon or even a 15 gallon long tank, it is difficult if not impossible to maintain the required thermal gradient.

An infrared red or other red lightbulb is good because it allows you to see your leo and can provide some heat. Ceramic Heat Emitters last longer and may be more penetrating, but they only emit heat. Many folks combine Under Tank Heating with overhead heating/lighting. It is recommended that the UTH be 1/3 the length of your tank. Overhead wattages vary depending upon the ambient room temperatures. Do NOT use standard white incandescent bulbs, white compact fluorescent bulbs, or fluorescent strip lighting. Any of those are much too bright for your nocturnal leo's eyes. Leopard geckos do not require UV lighting.

When using only overhead lighting/heating with a paper towel substrate, it is good idea to place slate tile on the warm third of the cage over the paper towels and especially under the moist hide for better belly heat absorption.

When considering the UTH (1/3 the length of a 30 inch long tank---not the UTH for "regular" 10-20 gallon tanks because it is the actual length that is important), you need unobstructed ventilation underneath the tank. This can be achieved by placing the tank on a wrought iron stand or somehow elevating the tank all the way around. My wrought iron stand supports the periphery of the tank but is completely open on the bottom.

As an alternative heat source: Flexwatt Heat Tape is the industry standard heating method!

Buy a thermostat to control your UTH and to prevent accidental overheating. These are good ones: BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control or Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden."

[Vee-vee]

I'm checking temperature by little thermometer.

I use yellow bulb, is it better than white?

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by Vee-vee

I'm checking temperature by little thermometer.

I use yellow bulb, is it better than white?

Is your yellow bulb a regular incandescent bulb with a yellow coating? When you compare it to a white bulb of the same wattage does it seem "less bright" to you?

A little thermometer may not be all that accurate? Does it have red fluid that goes up and down with the temperature? A digital thermometer is much better.

[Vee-vee]

What is reccomended daily dose of vitamin D for geckos? I don't want to give my gecko too little or too much of it. I read both can deform gecko's bones.
(I use digital thermometer)