JIMI
New member
About a month ago I started using an Exo terra 2.0 UVB 15 watt (18") fluorescent tube on the warm end of my enclosure about 14" above the warm elevated tile. There is also another tile on top of his warm moist hide with some coverage from a broad leaved fake plant that allows him to get within 11"-12" inches of the bulb if he ever wishes to. I've noticed him there only twice. His enclosure is 48"x21"x21". The space underneath the heated tile is very dark and has another dark hide kept around 80F because of the heated tile if he wants to escape the rays. There are also a couple hides on the cool side if he feels that that is too warm which he uses occasionally, but not often.
Since I started using the UVB bulb I stopped dusting with Zoo Med Repti-Calcium with D3. I typically offered some crickets gutloaded 24-72 hours with Mazuri Hi-Calcium Gutload that contained a very small amount of D3 once a week, but it expired so he has not been getting any other source of D3.
Now my question is, would it be beneficial to also lightly dust with a supplement containing vitamin D3 maybe once or twice a month? I believe that some people do this with reptiles that demand higher levels of UVB. Or maybe purchase another gutload that has some vitamin D3 in it and offer that once or twice a week? Or is the use of a UVB bulb for a leopard gecko alone sufficient? I've been having a hard time finding answers myself so I just wanted to see what some of you might think. Any advice is appreciated! I can also provide other details of my husbandry if it is needed.
Since I started using the UVB bulb I stopped dusting with Zoo Med Repti-Calcium with D3. I typically offered some crickets gutloaded 24-72 hours with Mazuri Hi-Calcium Gutload that contained a very small amount of D3 once a week, but it expired so he has not been getting any other source of D3.
Now my question is, would it be beneficial to also lightly dust with a supplement containing vitamin D3 maybe once or twice a month? I believe that some people do this with reptiles that demand higher levels of UVB. Or maybe purchase another gutload that has some vitamin D3 in it and offer that once or twice a week? Or is the use of a UVB bulb for a leopard gecko alone sufficient? I've been having a hard time finding answers myself so I just wanted to see what some of you might think. Any advice is appreciated! I can also provide other details of my husbandry if it is needed.
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