Confused on what to do with lighting

[Digs]

Hi, before I joined the forum I found that more people were giving their leos UVB. At first I got a zoomed reptisun 5.0 compact UVB bulb but I heard that tube lights were better and so I purchased an 18 inch zoomed reptisun t8 5.0 tube light. Now that I do more research on this forum I see that some people use a zoomed reptisun 10.0 compact UVB light instead.

So now it has been 6 months of me using UVB and following elizabeth's UVB supplementing schedule, I'm wondering if I should change back to a compact UVB and use a reptisun 10.0 compact bulb or just stick with the UVB tube light I have.

My enclosure is a 30"X12"X12" fish tank. I added a few shady areas for my leo.

 

[Hilde]

I would just leave it as is.

If you're using a decent supplement routine, then the lights won't make that much difference. They absorb all Vit D3 that they eat, the UVB would be used to 'top up' their supply. If they get enough in their supplements, they don't have to make their own, so UVB isn't necessary. The lights would be for viewing and give them the day-night light cycle.

 

[Digs]

I supplement D3 once a month, should I increase it two times a month?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I supplement D3 once a month, should I increase it two times a month?

Please share a video of your leo walking around. 6 months is adequate time to see whether she's thriving under your current care. We should be able to tell by her gait whether she needs additional D3. We are looking for walking with belly off the ground, no unusual bends/bows in his limbs, and no underbite.

How often do you see your leo out and about absorbing her 18 inch ReptiSun's 5.0 tube UVB rays? How close is she to the UVB source?

Have you been using UVB Schedule 155?

For link 155 click: UVB Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 155 for leopard geckos 12-18 months old​

 

[Digs]

Yes I have been using the UVB schedule 155. I’ll get some videos of my leopard gecko walking.

 

[Digs]

Yes I have been using the UVB schedule 155. I’ll get some videos of my leopard gecko walking.

 

[Digs]

https://imgur.com/wAsP6GT

https://imgur.com/5SYSaJA

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

https://imgur.com/wAsP6GT

https://imgur.com/5SYSaJA

Thanks for sharing these good videos of Asia. I watched each video several times. I'd appreciate any feedback from others who watch them too.

I believe I spot a Metabolic Bone Disease-like problem. The first video shows an uneven, lopsided, gait. I'm pretty certain her left front leg is bowed. Her left front leg definitely seems weak and seems to turn inward as she walks. Your second video gives a clearer picture of Asia's right front leg. The right front leg looks like it is slightly bowed.

How often and how close to her Reptisun 5.0 UVB tube fluorescent does Asia hang out? Does she come within 10 inches of her UVB daily? Roughly for how long?

Let's return to a tried and true method at least until Asia's gait is normal. So that's Schedule 125:

For link 125 click: Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 125 for leopard geckos 12-18 months old​

Do you have Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 for the D3 part of this schedule?

 

[Digs]

Thanks for sharing these good videos of Asia. I watched each video several times. I'd appreciate any feedback from others who watch them too.

I believe I spot a Metabolic Bone Disease-like problem. The first video shows an uneven, lopsided, gait. I'm pretty certain her left front leg is bowed. Her left front leg definitely seems weak and seems to turn inward as she walks. Your second video gives a clearer picture of Asia's right front leg. The right front leg looks like it is slightly bowed.

How often and how close to her Reptisun 5.0 UVB tube fluorescent does Asia hang out? Does she come within 10 inches of her UVB daily? Roughly for how long?

Let's return to a tried and true method at least until Asia's gait is normal. So that's Schedule 125:

For link 125 click: Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 125 for leopard geckos 12-18 months old​

Do you have Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 for the D3 part of this schedule?

No I unfortunately don't have Zoomed repti calcium with d3 at the moment, I do have Repashy calcium plus though. Asia tends to stay in her hide and I usually only see her out 12 inches away from the UVB when it first turns on but then she quickly retreats back to her hide. When I put her back into her cage after taking videos of her she did stick the tip of her tail out for an hour but that's the most I've seen. I don't think she's comfortable coming out when I'm around either .

 

[Digs]

I'm hoping the new way I've got her leaves setup will help her feel more confident to come out though. Should I add more cover?

 

[Digs]

I'm hoping the new way I've got her leaves setup will help her feel more confident to come out though. Should I add more cover?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

No I unfortunately don't have Zoomed repti calcium with d3 at the moment, I do have Repashy calcium plus though. Asia tends to stay in her hide and I usually only see her out 12 inches away from the UVB when it first turns on but then she quickly retreats back to her hide. When I put her back into her cage after taking videos of her she did stick the tip of her tail out for an hour but that's the most I've seen. I don't think she's comfortable coming out when I'm around either .

Repashy's Calcium Plus is a multivitamin that contains D3 (cholecalciferol) as well.

I'm glad you've added more shade opportunities. I think the 18 inch t8 tube may be too bright. I use Slimline's fixture for my T8 Reptisun 5.0 tubes for some other geckos. I think Zoo Med may have a shorter fixture as well.

It's vital that Asia gets more vitamin D3 right away on a consistent basis to correct her MBD. That's why I suggest going back to Schedule 125 until her gait is normal. MBD needs to be corrected as soon as it's spotted. That's the very best hope that her bones will metabolize calcium carbonate to give her healthy bones once again!!!

 

[Digs]

Repashy's Calcium Plus is a multivitamin that contains D3 (cholecalciferol) as well.

I'm glad you've added more shade opportunities. I think the 18 inch t8 tube may be too bright. I use Slimline's
fixture for my T8 Reptisun 5.0 tubes for some other geckos. I think Zoo Med may have a shorter fixture as well.

It's vital that Asia gets more vitamin D3 right away on a consistent basis to correct her MBD. That's why I suggest going back to Schedule 125 until her gait is normal. MBD needs to be corrected as soon as it's spotted. That's the very best hope that her bones will metabolize calcium carbonate to give her healthy bones once again!!!

Should I go for the zoomed reptisun compact 10.0 bulb? I just fed Asia Dubia roaches dusted with repashy calcium plus the day before.

 

[Digs]

Also, can I use the Repashy calcium plus schedule or do I need to buy zoomed repti calcium with d3? I just turned off the UVB light.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Should I go for the zoomed reptisun compact 10.0 bulb? I just fed Asia Dubia roaches dusted with repashy calcium plus the day before.

I think [MENTION=65717]Marillion[/MENTION] uses the 10.0 ReptiSun mini-compact fluorescent with a 20 long. Maybe Marillion will stop by this thread.

 

[Marillion]

Thanks for the mention Elizabeth. Yes, I do use the Zoo Med ReptiSun Mini-compact fluorescent bulb in my 20 Long enclosure. As long as you have about 10-12" area between your gecko and the bulb it will work well. Many folks seem to think that the 10.0 is too much but the key point here is that this is the MINI bulb we are talking about. Not the full length one. The UV amount the mini bulb puts out is FAR less than what the full length bulb produces.

I have confirmed that this particular bulb will work well for this application with Dr. Fran Baines, the noted reptile lighting expert with Arcadia. Based on her testing, the 10.0 Mini bulb by Zoo Med does provide some D3 for our Geckos (assuming they come out once in a while during daylight hours or have some part of their body exposed from their enclosure.) However, she still recommends additional D3 supplementation by dusting prey insects once a month.

I should add, even if adequate exposure is achieved. The 5.0 MINI version Zoo Med bulb would not provide enough D3 exposure of any consequence at 12".

 

[Digs]

Thanks for the mention Elizabeth. Yes, I do use the Zoo Med ReptiSun Mini-compact fluorescent bulb in my 20 Long enclosure. As long as you have about 10-12" area between your gecko and the bulb it will work well. Many folks seem to think that the 10.0 is too much but the key point here is that this is the MINI bulb we are talking about. Not the full length one. The UV amount the mini bulb puts out is FAR less than what the full length bulb produces.

I have confirmed that this particular bulb will work well for this application with Dr. Fran Baines, the noted reptile lighting expert with Arcadia. Based on her testing, the 10.0 Mini bulb by Zoo Med does provide some D3 for our Geckos (assuming they come out once in a while during daylight hours or have some part of their body exposed from their enclosure.) However, she still recommends additional D3 supplementation by dusting prey insects once a month.

I should add, even if adequate exposure is achieved. The 5.0 MINI version Zoo Med bulb would not provide enough D3 exposure of any consequence at 12".

Cool, should I use the no UVB schedule with this or should I keep UVB off until Asia is well again?

 

[Digs]

Nvm I looked at Zoomed's UVB chart and I saw that the 10.0 compact bulb is dangerous at around 3 inches. My gecko one day decided to climb within that distance of the 5.0 strip light 3 times in a row! maybe I could re-arrange the wood in her tank so then she doesn't climb up that close but until then I can't trust my gecko with that .

 

[Marillion]

This is my opinion only. Hopefully Elizabeth Freer can confirm if it is sound.

I don't think it would do any harm leaving your current light on, until you get the compact fluorescent Zoo Med 10.0. Assuming that is what you want to do. Clearly your gecko is not taking enough advantage of the current light to receive adequate D3 as is. I would definitely follow supplementation 125 as recommended by Elizabeth above.

The key thing here is to follow that supplementation schedule 125 right away. If you turn off the UVB light and go by just the ambient light that is fine also. Just make sure to get the supplementation right. I would recommend the Zoo Med Repti Cal with D3 above the Repashy version personally. But I am not as familiar with the Repashy product. Perhaps Elizabeth (or others) can give you better advice on that.

 

[Marillion]

Nvm I looked at Zoomed's UVB chart and I saw that the 10.0 compact bulb is dangerous at around 3 inches. My gecko one day decided to climb within that distance of the 5.0 strip light 3 times in a row! maybe I could re-arrange the wood in her tank so then she doesn't climb up that close but until then I can't trust my gecko with that .

I would re-arrange the wood. Three inches wouldn't be ideal with pretty much any kind of bulb...