Leopard Gecko Alan: What kind of calcium supplement to use?

Pandrya

Pandrya

New member
Hello, I'm new to the site and also a new leopard gecko owner. I've been looking around a lot on the forums and have been reading that the calcium supplement I've been using (Fluker's with D3) is not a good supplement to use. I've read I should be using mostly 100% pure calcium, but then other brands that sound safe that people talk about are also not safe.

I guess my question is what brand and type of calcium do you all use?
 
panthergecko

panthergecko

Active member
I use Repashy Superfoods Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus for my geckos under a year. My geckos over a year are given reptivite with D3
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Pandrya said:
Hello, I'm new to the site and also a new leopard gecko owner. I've been looking around a lot on the forums and have been reading that the calcium supplement I've been using (Fluker's with D3) is not a good supplement to use. I've read I should be using mostly 100% pure calcium, but then other brands that sound safe that people talk about are also not safe.

I guess my question is what brand and type of calcium do you all use?
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Hello ~

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

Please scroll through the Leo Guidelines linked in my signature below \/ to find three different vitamin/calcium scenarios.

I recommend the first:
Reptivite Calcium with vitamin D3/vitamin A acetate for lightly dusting the prey no more than 2x weekly.

Place a dish of 100% pure calcium carbonate(NOT Fluker's) in a small bottlecap within the tank 24/7. Leave a dish of fresh water.
 
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Pandrya

Pandrya

New member
Thanks! Your Leo Guidelines are very helpful. I do have a question though: so for the first option, I never have to dust crickets with calcium? Only the Vitamin 2x a week?

Also, I've read that young geckos (mine is still quite small, but I'm not sure on exact age) should have their food dusted more often. Is that true?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Pandrya said:
Thanks! Your Leo Guidelines are very helpful. I do have a question though: so for the first option, I never have to dust crickets with calcium? Only the Vitamin 2x a week?

Also, I've read that young geckos (mine is still quite small, but I'm not sure on exact age) should have their food dusted more often. Is that true?
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For the first option, the best one right now, buy the Reptivite with vitamin D3/vitamin A acetate. That should contain calcium too. D3 helps metabolize calcium, but too much D3 is as bad as too little.

For baby leos, just do as advised in option #1.

Somehow leos know if they need more pure calcium carbonate---brands: Zoo Med, Rep-Cal, or even pure calcium carbonate powder from a health foods store.

Have you named your leo?
 
Pandrya

Pandrya

New member
Ah ha, that all makes sense now. Thanks again for clearing up my confusion. I will run out to the store tomorrow and pick up all the correct things.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Neoki said:
Personally there is nothing wrong with doing that?

The Repashy has got an amazing write up
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Please share the write up here.

A friend was using a Repashy product with her sensitive geckos. Two of them died, and that was all she was doing differently. She switched back to Rep-Cal Herptivite :).
 
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panthergecko

panthergecko

Active member
They sell certain products. Maybe she used something for leos,cresties, or bearded dragons on the wrong species.
Could have been the issue?

But I think by write up she means good reputation.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Elizabeth Freer said:
I absolutely NEVER recommend Repashy's Superfoods Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus. I am NOT a fan of dusting at every feeding.
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Neoki said:
Personally there is nothing wrong with doing that?

The Repashy has got an amazing write up
Click to expand...

Elizabeth Freer said:
Please share the write up here.

A friend was using a Repashy product with her sensitive geckos. Two of them died, and that was all she was doing differently. She switched back to Rep-Cal products.
Click to expand...

panthergecko said:
They sell certain products. Maybe she used something for leos,cresties, or bearded dragons on the wrong species.
Could have been the issue?

But I think by write up she means good reputation.
Click to expand...


Neoki ~ Please share the "amazing write up" you speak of.

Edwin ~ Don't believe that my friend was using the wrong Repashy product.
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
I have also heard of a few incidents with leos after switching over to Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus. I have heard complaints of increased thirst, "armpit bubbles", sudden lethargy and so on. Can it be proven that the cause was the switch over? NO, but it was enough to raise a red flag in my mind. This is also a product which has not been on the market for very long, therefore makes me a bit uncomfortable in regards to safety.
 
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marty10f

marty10f

New member
I use Zoo Med brand Repti Calcium w/ Vitamin D3. This is for my two 1 year old geckos. I keep a dish of it in the cage and dust their food with it.
 
panthergecko

panthergecko

Active member
That sounds dangerous, keeping Calcium with D3. Are you sure its not the blue label the one without d3?

Also it says on the label to mix Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 to Reptivite without D3.
 
marty10f

marty10f

New member
panthergecko said:
That sounds dangerous, keeping Calcium with D3. Are you sure its not the blue label the one without d3?

Also it says on the label to mix Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 to Reptivite without D3.
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Exactly how is it dangerous? That is what the breeder whom sold me the geckos told me to use. Should I switch over To To something else??? I have to run over to the store anyways so what should I buy? Thanks.
 
panthergecko

panthergecko

Active member
It's dangerous to have Calcium with D3 in the cage at all times. Buy Pure Calcium Carbonate without D3 by Zoo Med (blue label). This stays in the cage at all times.

Calcium with D3 should be mixed with Herptivite or Reptivite without D3.

But it's easier to just use Reptivite with D3.
I fed my calcium with D3 and Herptivite to my feeders.
 
marty10f

marty10f

New member
panthergecko said:
It's dangerous to have Calcium with D3 in the cage at all times. Buy Pure Calcium Carbonate without D3 by Zoo Med (blue label). This stays in the cage at all times.

Calcium with D3 should be mixed with Herptivite or Reptivite without D3.

But it's easier to just use Reptivite with D3.
I fed my calcium with D3 and Herptivite to my feeders.
Click to expand...

alright, im going to have to swing by petsmart and pick some up.
 
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