Calcium question

[Kkhambre]

I'm about to get a new leopard gecko and I believe I understand everything except calcium. I know that a lot of Leo owners really like repashy calcium plus to use as a calcium powder but don't you guys still need just plain calcium powder without added vitamins because it says that there are added vitamins on the bottle. Also, how often do you guys dust feeders with calcium?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MagnumGeckos]

I think a lot of breeders/owners do this semi-differently but similar. The additions on the calcium plus help the leos have the ability to absorb/metabolize the calcium via the addition of the D3 ( which they don't get since they are not in the sun etc etc.except through the product) in the calcium supplement. We use Repashy plus and miner-all indoor.

Juvenile geckos will need to have their feeders dusted at every feeding IMO, non-breeding adults I would supplement a couple times a week and breeding leos (females in particular) should be supplemented all the time, IMO. Every owner is different and breeder. You can put the calcium without d3 in a cap in the enclosure. Some breeders do put Miner-all Indoor in a cap in the enclosure.

You are ultimately aiming to get a ca : ph ratio 2:1 when it all boils down to it at the end of the day. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.


Oh, and congrats on your new leo gecko coming up! There are some great care sheets on the forum as well. Welcome! :main_thumbsup:

 

[Kkhambre]

Thanks! I was very confused about that part. I'm very excited to get a Leo and to be a part of this interesting new community!


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[JGon]

Like MagnumGeckos said, it's gonna be different for a lot of breeders/owners but a lot of them do it the same. The way I do it is I have a dish with calcium in the enclosure at all times. This calcium DOES NOT contain D3. I use Rep-Cal.

Then I dust my crickets with calcium that DOES contain D3. Same brand, Rep-Cal. I do this every 2 or 3 feedings.

And once a week I dust the crickets with the vitamin powder. Herptivite by Rep-Cal as well.

You can use the D3 calcium along with the Herptivite at any one of your feedings. That's how I do it.

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[Kkhambre]

So repashy ISNT good to use because it does have D3? Where can you get the plain calcium without D3? All I can seem to find is repashy calcium plus but it would seem that also has vitamin D3 in it so you can't put it in a calcium dish like normal. I have no idea why this is so confusing!


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[MagnumGeckos]

Repashy is one of the #1 IMO vitamins with D3 on the market..... We like it a lot. Some choose different brands, which is ok and that is why we sell all kinds of brands on our facebook store because one brand doesn't fit all for everyone. You can also mix and match brands like we do.....

All you need to do is if you want both, with and without d3, is choose one product ( herptivite, repashy brand etc.), doesn't matter the brand- it is all personal preference , with D3 and one without. Making sure you have a vitamin that has multi-vitamins in there. The Rep-cal brands separate the calcium with d3, and without, from their blue- label multi-vitamin I believe. Repashy sells them so the multi-vitamins are typically included in the products making it one less product to buy IMO.

Store for no longer than 6 months in a cool dry place after each use. Then it starts to degrade and you'll need to re-up after 6 months.

Does that help some?

Use the D3 to dust the live food items. Use the one without d3 by placing it in a small cap into the enclosure so he/she will lap it up as needed at any time. Everyone does their supplements semi-different as far as brand goes (breeder or pet-only home) ....due to cost or ease of access to their brand/loyalty etc.

If you chose the rep-cal brand instead, it is important to get both the pink and blue labels as the blue contains the multi-vitamins you will be needing that the pink label does not. And then you can choose whatever non-d3 brand you want. Repashy also has with D3 and without d3 types.

ETA: make sure the calcium, all that have been mentioned here are good to go, contain no phosphorus no matter what you choose. You want phosphorous-free. This way you have the balanced 2 : 1 calcium to phosphorous ratio you are aiming for. D3, contained in the calcium product, is very important to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease in leopard geckos.



:main_thumbsup:

 

[Kkhambre]

Thanks! That definitely clears things up. I will find calcium without D3 asap!


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[MagnumGeckos]

Perfect! I'm so glad it helped. No worries, we have all had these same questions getting our first leopard geckos It is far better to ask than to be confused. Never hesitate