LED lighting?

[LD404]

Would LED lighting be ok for a leo? I like the idea for the versatility of an LED light strip that could change colors - white, light yellow or light blue during the daytime (whatever is closest to sunlight?,) red at night so as not to bother the leo too much. I know people who have used fluorescent lights with no worries, and since leos use a UTH rather than a basking lamp for heat it seems like there should be no problem...

But what are people's thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[reps4life]

Would LED lighting be ok for a leo? I like the idea for the versatility of an LED light strip that could change colors - white, light yellow or light blue during the daytime (whatever is closest to sunlight?,) red at night so as not to bother the leo too much. I know people who have used fluorescent lights with no worries, and since leos use a UTH rather than a basking lamp for heat it seems like there should be no problem...

But what are people's thoughts?

Thanks!

Depends on how much light it's going to put out. For example I have always used UVB bulbs for all my geckos without a problem. What I do is put it all the way towards one side so it's an option and not too bright.

 

[LD404]

The LED strip I was thinking of is dimmable - from very bright (I don't think my leo would like that tho!) to hardly any light at all. Maybe to mount it a little low, so that there will be at least three hides and spots that will be dark no matter if I have the light on or not. I don't want to be shining bright LEDs into his little gecko eyes!

(As a sidenote, my little one is a super snow with all black eyes - is he more sensitive to light, like an albino would be? I can't really gauge his pupils...)

 

[thinlizzy]

Metal halide or high pressure sodium spectrum is unsurpassed as far as reptile lighting goes.

Hopefully there will be a reptile enthusiast to agree.

 

[reps4life]

The LED strip I was thinking of is dimmable - from very bright (I don't think my leo would like that tho!) to hardly any light at all. Maybe to mount it a little low, so that there will be at least three hides and spots that will be dark no matter if I have the light on or not. I don't want to be shining bright LEDs into his little gecko eyes!

(As a sidenote, my little one is a super snow with all black eyes - is he more sensitive to light, like an albino would be? I can't really gauge his pupils...)

According to what I have read even albinos adjust to light after 4 months of age. Dim light of course. As far as LED lighting goes I know quite a few people who use them without any "obvious" problems. However I am no expert in lighting so I would recommend you do some research.

 

[thinlizzy]

Proper Light for Geckos

I think that maybe sometimes a gecko owner doesn't realize how important full spectrum lighting is.

My analogy is to try and imagine yourself without sun...all of the time! If a person never has sunlight then their health will diminish over a period of time.

An UV lamp (red) is basically a heat source which is good though not sufficient as far as healthy lighting goes, IMO.

HPS is most likely the best light for a gecko. Not engraved in stone, though.

But, the hps' amber light makes the gecko feel at home which is a great benefit!

 

[andrew5859]

Leo's are nocturnal so no light source is needed/required. With that being said they do not need UVB lights of any type like other reptiles such as chameleons. Although a LED light would look nice it can hurt their eyes and stress them out. As you said above if it was dimmed and has plenty of hides it should be ok.
The only color that leo's cannot see in is red. So a red "daytime light" would be acceptable.

 

[reps4life]

My analogy is to try and imagine yourself without sun...all of the time! If a person never has sunlight then their health will diminish over a period of time.

My thought as well.

 

[ElapidSVT]

leopard geckos are not humans, the same rules do not apply.

as was mentioned previously, leopard geckos are nocturnal and using lights nearly always leads to cessation of feeding response and death of the animal.

 

[reps4life]

I think that maybe sometimes a gecko owner doesn't realize how important full spectrum lighting is.

My analogy is to try and imagine yourself without sun...all of the time! If a person never has sunlight then their health will diminish over a period of time.

An UV lamp (red) is basically a heat source which is good though not sufficient as far as healthy lighting goes, IMO.

HPS is most likely the best light for a gecko. Not engraved in stone, though.

But, the hps' amber light makes the gecko feel at home which is a great benefit!

leopard geckos are not humans, the same rules do not apply.

as was mentioned previously, leopard geckos are nocturnal and using lights nearly always leads to cessation of feeding response and death of the animal.

I must disagree. I have been keeping leopard geckos for years with UVB bulbs. They have all had great appetites, moved around to thermoregulate during the day and even ate with the light on. Stress occurs when appropriate hides are not provided.

 

[andrew5859]

I must disagree. I have been keeping leopard geckos for years with UVB bulbs. They have all had great appetites, moved around to thermoregulate during the day and even ate with the light on. Stress occurs when appropriate hides are not provided.

Disagree all you want they do not need UVB and it will overtime stress them out to the point of not eating. They simply became somewhat more adapted to "your way of their life". They are nocturnal creatures and almost everything nocturnal will be stressed at one point or another if they are placed with a bright light over them.

 

[reps4life]

Disagree all you want they do not need UVB and it will overtime stress them out to the point of not eating. They simply became somewhat more adapted to "your way of their life". They are nocturnal creatures and almost everything nocturnal will be stressed at one point or another if they are placed with a bright light over them.

That is your opinion. If that is what you want to believe that's fine. I have been keeping reptiles for 20 years all with UVB and never had a appetite problem in any of my leo's. You cannot tell me what I have witnessed all these years. Maybe the stress you are seeing is from other husbandry issues. All my reptiles are given large enclosures with plenty of hides and all are healthy and eat like pigs. It's not a requirement for survival, but it's what's natural. Afterall there is sun in the wild you know.

 

[ElapidSVT]

uv light is not visible to the human eye, or gecko eyes for that matter. what you see when you look at a uv light source is blue light outside the wavelengths of UV. UV does not pass through regular types of glass either, so if there's any glass between the uv source and the animal, it's having absolutely no beneficial effect.

i've kept herps for 40 years, it doesn't mean i know anything.

 

[LD404]

I'm thinking that I will use the LED light for illumination (like poop searching lol!,) but keep them off most of the time so they don't stress the gecko out. I'll use the red most, unless I really need to see something in the gecko house - but then I'm very briefly using the light for me, not him, and I'll need to use it far less once he decides on a toilet spot lol.

My little one actually does get natural daylight, so his photoperiod is fine, but I think I may add a full spectrum or UVB light to one part of his tank. Then he can decide what he likes

Btw, aren't leos crepuscular, not nocturnal? Dusk and dawn, rather than all night....mine sleeps at night, but eats and runs around in the evening and morning.

 

[reps4life]

I'm thinking that I will use the LED light for illumination (like poop searching lol!,) but keep them off most of the time so they don't stress the gecko out. I'll use the red most, unless I really need to see something in the gecko house - but then I'm very briefly using the light for me, not him, and I'll need to use it far less once he decides on a toilet spot lol.

My little one actually does get natural daylight, so his photoperiod is fine, but I think I may add a full spectrum or UVB light to one part of his tank. Then he can decide what he likes

Btw, aren't leos crepuscular, not nocturnal? Dusk and dawn, rather than all night....mine sleeps at night, but eats and runs around in the evening and morning.

Yes they are crepuscular, at least all mine are:main_laugh:

Just found this website which has information on lighting.

Even crepuscular reptiles (active dawn and dusk) such as Leopard Geckos benefit from UVB light - research has shown that the skin of these reptiles is far more sensitive and permeable to UVB light and therefore synthesises vitamin D far more quickly than their diurnal relatives. UVB light is not essential for most snakes as they receive sufficient dietary vitamin D, but it has been suggested that it does stimulate appetite and normal behaviours. Please go to www.UVGuide.co.uk for more indepth research and advice regarding the use and need for UVB light in reptiles.

 

[im faster]

Hmm.. I agree its is not necessary.

BUT i also believe it couldn't hurt. and may help a bit.

maybe i will try and see

 

[philly4ya]

Would LED lighting be ok for a leo? I like the idea for the versatility of an LED light strip that could change colors - white, light yellow or light blue during the daytime (whatever is closest to sunlight?,) red at night so as not to bother the leo too much. I know people who have used fluorescent lights with no worries, and since leos use a UTH rather than a basking lamp for heat it seems like there should be no problem...

But what are people's thoughts?

Thanks!

I am glad I found this thread. I just posted a few days ago a thread on photoperiod. Maybe this can help shed some light on the subject.

http://www.exoticpetvet.com/breeds/iguanageckos.htm

 

[im faster]

^^^ thats an awful care sheet.

 

[philly4ya]

^^^ thats an awful care sheet.

I was mainly pointing out the use of UVB. May I ask why is it so awlful?

 

[im faster]

I just skimmed through it.. and saw feeding earthworms and needing a basking spot.. that was enough for me