Help with calcium

[Captain Stitch-Mozart]

I know there are multiple posts on calcium for leopard geckos, but I just want to make sure of something.

All of the calcium I found at Petsmart says to shake the crickets in it before feeding. But I would like to be able to put a small dish of calcium in the tank as well. Am I correct that if the calcium says it has D3 in it I should not put in in the tank, only shake the crickets in it?

Also, the only calcium that I have found ( I have looked at multiple Petsmart stores and a small pet store called pet supplies plus) has D3 in it. The store had the brand Fluker's and they all contain D3. Where else can I get calcium that does not contain D3 and what brand/kind would you suggest?

Thank you for your help.

 

[BlackIrisReptiles]

Yea, it's best not to use calcium with D3 all the time You can always try shopping online if you can't find anything locally. Alternatively, if there are any reptile shows near you, you can save on shipping by going to the shows and buying a couple containers of calcium and vitamins.

 

[CapCitySteve]

You can put a dish of calcium with D3 in your tank. I've never had a problem with it. However depending on how often you feed crickets and dust them it may not be necessary. Many of my leos, since they are well fed and supplemented, often get arm pit "bubbles" from having to much calcium in their diet. As a result when the arm pit bubbles appear I simply take out the calcium dish and they tend to subside over several days.
As for me I like to use the vitamin / mineral supplement called Vionate. It's more granular so makes less mess than most calcium powders. And it also gives a wider range of supplementation to your geckos and bugs.(you can't dust with it though). Rep Cal makes both Calcium w/ D3 and w/out.

 

[Captain Stitch-Mozart]

I dont dust my crickets ( I didn't know it was necessary until I joined this website). I haven't ever dusted and my leo has grown into a beautiful healthy girl with no health problems since I got her (2 years). But now I understand it is necessary for them to have calcium. I would like to be able to leave calcium in the tank, can you recommend a brand? My local pet stores only have it with D3.
I recently got a new baby gecko and want to get him the calcium he needs along with now providing my adult with the calcium he should have too.
Which is recommended more: dusting crickets or leaving calcium in the tank? Is it necessary to do both?
Thank you for answering my questions. My geckos appreciate it.

 

[Captain Stitch-Mozart]

Does gut loading crickets mean that you feed them? I feed my crickets either the orange cube complete diet or separate food and water supplements. Both foods say they have calcium in them. Is that not enough calcium?

I think I'm going to buy calcium with D3 and begin dusting the crickets before I feed my geckos. I am also going to try and find calcium without D3 in it and leave a small dish of it in the tank. Does that sound right?