UVB Help

[mango+cola]

Ignorant are those who fail to keep an open mind. I have done plenty of research and I guess you will be surprised to hear that the encouragement came from a dear friend of mine whose gecko is 16 years old and has had UVB all her life. I could of just went with the same lighting, but I chose to ask around for more input. When you provide top notch housing conditions and quality equipment there is no reason your gecko is going to be out trying to get a sun tan. They know what they need.

@Mudskipper No worries I have read all the info available. D3 is only given 2 times a month so that is not a problem.

What works for one gecko does not always work for another. Each gecko is different so you cannot apply what works with one to another. For example, some people on here use sand as a substrate because their geckos do not eat it and have been on it for a long time with no issues, whereas some peoples geckos will eat the sand and get impacted leading to huge vet bills. Some geckos like a cooler tank and some geckos like a much warmer tank. Therefore just because your friends gecko has survived fine with a UV light does not mean that yours will.

 

[justindh1]

So I guess that since I keep my blinds open and the sun light is able to come into my reptile room that none of my geckos will enjoy sitting out in the open. Actually 3 out of 5 are out of their hides right now. Many of my geckos stay out of their hides through out the day and it doesn't seem to bother them. I'd say as long as the light isn't shining brightly on all of the tank, I see no problem using it. Key is probably using a large enough tank to provide a lighted side and a darker side. The only exception would be albinos but I doubt any of them survive in the wild for long.

Leopard geckos are thought to get some UVA & UVB in the mornings and nights and i'd say more than that. I actually believe that we don't know really much about LG's in the wild and what THEY like. It is more what WE think they like. Why don't you look at this thread and see what time of day the leopard gecko was found. http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=89073

Advice given isn't always the correct advice to take. I am glad to see that we all feel like we have to boss and bully others around. Yes, a gecko may be more active with less light but that doesn't mean that a light will stress out and kill a gecko. My opinion and I really don't mind what others will say about it. Go ahead and say how wrong I am and how you are right. It seems to be pretty prevalent on this forum lately.

 

[SORROW89]

What works for one gecko does not always work for another. Each gecko is different so you cannot apply what works with one to another. For example, some people on here use sand as a substrate because their geckos do not eat it and have been on it for a long time with no issues, whereas some peoples geckos will eat the sand and get impacted leading to huge vet bills. Some geckos like a cooler tank and some geckos like a much warmer tank. Therefore just because your friends gecko has survived fine with a UV light does not mean that yours will.

YES, I know. Worth a try.

 

[SORROW89]

A friend of mine has had her leopard gecko for 28 years, no UV lights.

I have heard this to many times, yet no proof of age is shown. I know it's possible, but not common.

 

[SORROW89]

So I guess that since I keep my blinds open and the sun light is able to come into my reptile room that none of my geckos will enjoy sitting out in the open. Actually 3 out of 5 are out of their hides right now. Many of my geckos stay out of their hides through out the day and it doesn't seem to bother them. I'd say as long as the light isn't shining brightly on all of the tank, I see no problem using it. Key is probably using a large enough tank to provide a lighted side and a darker side. The only exception would be albinos but I doubt any of them survive in the wild for long.

Leopard geckos are thought to get some UVA & UVB in the mornings and nights and i'd say more than that. I actually believe that we don't know really much about LG's in the wild and what THEY like. It is more what WE think they like. Why don't you look at this thread and see what time of day the leopard gecko was found. http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=89073

Advice given isn't always the correct advice to take. I am glad to see that we all feel like we have to boss and bully others around. Yes, a gecko may be more active with less light but that doesn't mean that a light will stress out and kill a gecko. My opinion and I really don't mind what others will say about it. Go ahead and say how wrong I am and how you are right. It seems to be pretty prevalent on this forum lately.

Thank you and perfect link! I did not register to debate back and forward like children. It's not very welcoming. I am glad someone respects my opinion.

 

[Russellm0704]

Thank you and perfect link! I did not register to debate back and forward like children. It's not very welcoming. I am glad someone respects my opinion.

we all respect your opinions. it's just that the majority of the responses to your thread stated they don't need it. And you only replied to the one response that was in your favor. It is no disrespect. it is all about the leo's.

 

[Thorgecko707]

This is a very interesting topic. If you would like to PM me I'd enjoy adding your findings to my research paper. I have known people who keep leopard geckos in a variety of ways. I'd say about 15% that I know of use uv lighting. I should add that based on verbal research, albino anythings have a greater risk under uv lighting. But that's just word of mouth. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Thorgecko707]

Oh here you go. This will be some proof of gecko basking in natural sunlight.

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=89073&highlight=Iran

 

[Saphira]

When I was having health issue's with one of my leos a few years ago my reptile vet suggested the uvb bulb. So you all are saying that my vet doesn't know what she is talking about?

I do have one. It doesn't get used all the time. I have 5 tanks and one light. It gets used when it appears to be needed, which isn't often. But still.....

 

[Thorgecko707]

Not all would say your vet is wrong. Probably just a majority.

 

[garner63080]

I guess the best thing to say here is you probably wont get the answer you are looking for as most people feel its not needed so there wont be a "best" recomended to you. Best of luck to you either way. I have seen first hand on here that people will do what they feel is best. Honestly there is no "right" or "wrong". It is a little sad that people are so gung ho on their beliefs that they do sort of "bully" others. I personally take everything I read on here and go with what I feel to be the best recomended for the sake of my geckos. Which is the main point of this site!!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[lisa127]

I have to agree with everyone else. UVB is not needed!

However, if you insist on using it use the strip lights and not those compact ones. And I'd also suggest using a 2.0 UVB bulb. Nothing higher than that.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

When I was having health issue's with one of my leos a few years ago my reptile vet suggested the uvb bulb. So you all are saying that my vet doesn't know what she is talking about?

I do have one. It doesn't get used all the time. I have 5 tanks and one light. It gets used when it appears to be needed, which isn't often. But still.....

I'd be inclined to believe it could be slightly beneficial to them. It would be unrealistic to say that they never get any UVB in their natural habitat, so even though it's not "needed" (which the OP stated, so I'm not sure why people feel the need to restate it), it's certainly a part of their natural environment.

I wish I could give the OP an answer, but I don't have any experience with UVB lights. Plus the thread is four months old anyway.

~Maggot

 

[Ozy]

You'd want this one http://zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=42&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=5 Repti-sun is a proven and VERY good light.

 

[SORROW89]

You'd want this one http://zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=42&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=5 Repti-sun is a proven and VERY good light.

Thanks, but I've been reading around that 2.0 is too weak and somebody one another forum called Zoo Med and they said the same. I'm planning on using the 5.0 once I decide on a bigger tank maybe a 55 gallon or I might build one. That way it won't be beaming all over the tank.

 

[SC Geckos]

I will start by saying I don't use any lights for my geckos.
That being said, If I remember correctly the 10% UVB bulbs I use for my beardie (tube style) state on the box that in order for the reptile to get any benefit from the UVB bulb it must be able to get within 12" of the bulb. I would think that in order to achieve this for a leopard gecko it would either be an extremely bright tank with the light so low, or you would have to provide an elevated area that may or may not be used. If the animal never gets close enough to the light then its basically useless anyways. Just my 2 cents.

 

[SORROW89]

I will start by saying I don't use any lights for my geckos.
That being said, If I remember correctly the 10% UVB bulbs I use for my beardie (tube style) state on the box that in order for the reptile to get any benefit from the UVB bulb it must be able to get within 12" of the bulb. I would think that in order to achieve this for a leopard gecko it would either be an extremely bright tank with the light so low, or you would have to provide an elevated area that may or may not be used. If the animal never gets close enough to the light then its basically useless anyways. Just my 2 cents.

I've got feedback from people who do use uvb and they told me their gecko does occasionally use the uvb bulb. Are you a breeder? I know it will be too expensive is you have many but as a pet it's all well worth a try. The only way to find out is by giving it a shot. I use a white bulb during the day with a UTH and she seems fine with it.