Difference in Calcium?

[mascutt]

Usually I use Fleuker's calcium for dusting my leos' food as well as keeping a dish of it inside their vivarium. Last time I ran out, I could not find any anywhere and was forced to buy another type of calcium. It was half the price of fleuker's and smells to high heaven (like vitamin bottles) when you open it.

My vivarium has play sand under ceramic tile but since changing the brand name of calcium, my leos are using their claws to pull up pieces of the tile and they are actually licking the play sand (even though there is a dish of the calcium in their viv). They have never done this before. The ceramic tiles have never been moved before switching this calcium brand. When I researched it on the net, it said that licking of sand means to put a calcium dish in with them as they are not getting enough. Since there is one in there, is it possible that they are simply refusing to use it because it's not what they are used to? I mean if I think it smells awful perhaps they do to? Just want some feedback on this.

 

[cryptid_hunter]

I've used quite a few different brands of calcium supplements over the years and have never had any that I thought "smelled". I'm guessing by your description it's a kinda foul smell? My guess would be it's gotten wet at some point, either directly, or it's just been exposed to too much humidity by going from one temp extreme to another causing it to get wet/moist, and now it's gone bad.

At any rate, if it smells funny I would stop using it immediately. I mean, if your geckos are avoiding it, it's not of any use anyway.

Personally, I like the "Rep-Cal" brand. I use the Rep-Cal calcium + D3 minus phosphorus and the Rep-Cal multivitamin. Like I said, I've tried several and even though that brand is a bit pricey, it's served my geckos well. So anyway, I swear by that brand, but a buddy of mine swears by Miner-All. But I've never noticed any kind of "smell" from any brand I"ve tried so I'd get rid of that batch you've got ASAP.

 

[mascutt]

The smell is not like the smell of moisture, humidity, mold, or any such related ideas... it is very clearly a vitamin smell... like when you go to the health food store and purchase multi-vitamins... you open the container and you can really smell that vitamin odor... This brand is called: "Reptocal" and the manufacturer is "Tetrafauna."

Either way if my geckos are deliberately pulling up the tiles so they can lick the sand, then they obviously do not like this. Maybe it's a good brand but mine are just used to another and didn't like the change.. (maybe they're just picky? LOL) Think I'll pitch the rest and see if I can go back to what they are used to if the stores have them.