Using UV lights for Oedura castenaui and some questions.

[Salamanko]

Hi everyone. I want some info about UV lights. On youtube i asked caterpillargriffae A.K.A Rainey about using UV lights for my Oedura castelnaui. She simply replied 'Do not use UV lights for nocturnal geckos, it distrupts their cycle'. Rainey isn't in Australia but she owns a wide range of reptiles including a chameleon.

Aren't all Australian native geckos nocturnal and what if i just have only a basking light in the enclosure, instead of using a basking light and a day light?

Isn't having UV lights good and important to reptiles. Don't geckos need to bask after eating to digest their food. Doesn't UV light or is it UV rays convert vitamin D3. It makes the gecko less likely to get bone disease.

She also said that i can use bottled water for the gecko. So can i use mount franklin or will that kill the gecko. I've seen on the interent that theirs a exo terra product that gives calcium and treats tapwater. Should i get that or will dusting crickets with calci dust help.

When should i apply calcium dust to crickets, i've heard that if you do it all the time your reptile will die. Should i do it every 2nd day of feeding or something like that.

Please help!

 

[warren63]

Only gex that need uv are Strophurus all the rest dont. A light is important for that day/night cycle only. I just use general water conditioner for aquarium use for treating my tap water and no problems after years doing so. I also dust my crickets every 2nd feed with calcium and every 3rd feed or so do with a vitamin powder. Strongly suggest you purchase this book as will have all the information you require - Mike Swan Herp. Books - Keeping Australian Geckos AU $ 21.95 you will pick it up cheaper off ebay. After reading this book you will realise that they are easy and simple to care, definitely not as hard as you are lead to beleive.

 

[Salamanko]

Thanks Warren. Should i use a heat matt. What wattage is good for a exo terra glass terrarium 45x45x45cm and should i get rainforest or desert heat mat? Can i use Mount franklin (kind of bottled water) instead of treated tapwater. Also what should the water in the water dish temperature be at. Does it need to be warm or cold, i've heard reptiles sometimes like to bathe in water. Do Oedura castelnaui defecate in the water dish or on the substrate?

 

[warren63]

All Oeduras unfortunately will crap all over the place, being climbers they dont care where they go !!! I just ensure the water dish is not under any branches etc so they cant drop anything in it. Castelnaui are reasonably cleaner compared to say Tryoni or Marmorata. the water dish is kept on the cool side of the tank so there would be some warmth in it but i dont know how much. For my exo terras i use those green URS heat mats the 15cm x 25 cm 10 watt ones and they work great. i dont know about Mt Franklin water as i have always used tap water

 

[Salamanko]

Thanks for the info. Should i place the heat mat on the bottom of the enclosure or on the sides. Can i use a red or blue light bulb for a day/night cycle?

 

[warren63]

If you are using a 45cm high exo terra i would but the heat down the side. oops forgot to mention those URS heats mats are under the tank, down the side i use habistat or such

 

[Salamanko]

Someone told me its best to put the heat mat under the enclosure because the rock background doesn't produce heat much. Can i use a red or blue light globe for the enclosure?