Vitamins and calcium for my Phelsuma grandis'

Andre

Andre

New member
Quick question...
As with most newbies I'm concerned about proper calcium absorption. What I want to know is if I use zoomed reptivite with D3 with plain exoterra calcium, will there be enough D3.
This is a preventative measure. So far they are healthy.
I do use UVB, but I know how much is lost by the screening over the top of the enclosure, and the distance from the bulbs. I have a lot of experience with lights... As I have a slight orchid addiction, and use a metal halide after years of trying various compact fl and T5's etc.

So is my combo of vitamins and calcium enough to meet metabolic needs? The UVB bulbs will loose their effectiveness quickly, so I won't factor them in.

Andre
 
P

phelsumaphan21

New member
I feel there is a lot of different opinions when it comes to UVB and calcium with D3. From what I've been told and have read recently is to use the pink label repti-cal with D3. Although the vitamin supplement has D3 in it I've been told the geckos only need it about once every two weeks or once a month and they need the calcium on more of a regular basis. Hope this helps and hopefully some more people will give their insight on what they think.

Nick
 
Andre

Andre

New member
Thanks Nick.
I have both calcium with D3, and regular calcium. Se seems happy and bright green and red.
 
daggekko

daggekko

New member
If you are using UV lighting you should not need to be giving the geckos D3 - They should be making it on their own. My personal choice is no UV lighting but high quality fluorescent lighting-high lumens, high CRI, etc and I use Rep-Cal Calcium+D3(Pink label has D3) and Rep-Cal Herptivite. From my understanding Rep Cal is a high dose so my suggestions is for geckos up to 12-15 months(longer for ones like grandis and standingi) using calcium/multivitamins at every feeding at a 2:1 ratio(Cal/multiV) and also at every feeding for breeding females. Once the geckos are over the growth spurt slowing down on the supplements should be ok.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Andre said:
Quick question...
As with most newbies I'm concerned about proper calcium absorption. What I want to know is if I use zoomed reptivite with D3 with plain exoterra calcium, will there be enough D3.
This is a preventative measure. So far they are healthy.
I do use UVB, but I know how much is lost by the screening over the top of the enclosure, and the distance from the bulbs. I have a lot of experience with lights... As I have a slight orchid addiction, and use a metal halide after years of trying various compact fl and T5's etc.

So is my combo of vitamins and calcium enough to meet metabolic needs? The UVB bulbs will loose their effectiveness quickly, so I won't factor them in.

Andre
Click to expand...

phelsumaphan21 said:
I feel there is a lot of different opinions when it comes to UVB and calcium with D3. From what I've been told and have read recently is to use the pink label repti-cal with D3. Although the vitamin supplement has D3 in it I've been told the geckos only need it about once every two weeks or once a month and they need the calcium on more of a regular basis. Hope this helps and hopefully some more people will give their insight on what they think.

Nick
Click to expand...

I would NOT use both UVB and calcium with D3. Chance of overdosing with vitamin D3. :-( I've heard that it is either one or the other.

On the Zoo Med ReptiSun tube fluorescent boxes there are instructions for the recommended "effective" distance of those tubes. The amount of UVB rays "lost" by the mesh can be factored in, so that using the ReptiSun tubes is beneficial. I replace the 5.0 ReptiSuns annually.

My experience with Phelsuma is mostly 2.1 Phelsuma barbouri. I have kept a pair for 9-10 years with ReptiSun 5.0s in a 15 gallon long tank and separately in 5 gallon tanks. The second male is kept likewise. In addition to the 5.0 ReptiSun, I use halogen pucks for basking areas (or 15-25 watt bulbs in small overhead domes). Each cage also has a T5 Utilitec cool white tube fluorescent tube (under cabinet lighting).

Current directions (16 May 2013) on Zoo Med's Reptivite with/without D3/A acetate
"Directions for Insectivores: Place crickets in a plastic bag with a small amount of Reptivite w/d3 and shake to "dust" crickets with the powder. Feed approximately 12 dusted crickets per week for every 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of body weight."

So if your gecko weighs 24 grams, the recommendation would be only 4 lightly dusted crickets per week with Reptivite with D3. Hatchling geckos weigh much less, so be sure to adjust the dosage accordingly!

For better instructions, phone Zoo Med customer service: 888-496-6633. :)
 
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