Limestone Flour

[BuzzL1ghtbeer]

I have been told that limestone flour is basically calcium carbonate powder. Is this true or is someone trying to fob me off with something different?

 

[patrickb]

It is not entirely calcium carbonate, but it does have a high content usually. Somewhere around 30-50% roughly. It is used a lot for many types of animals.

 

[BuzzL1ghtbeer]

Is it ok to use for dusting food for a beardie?

 

[eruantalisse]

I suppose it should do when thoroughly grounded. In fact, I have some myself here, but as a rock so he can lick it up when he feels like needing some extra calcium. His insects and veggies are powdered according to a scheme with vits and calcium.

 

[patrickb]

It should be fine. Like I said, it is used for lots of other types of animals and reptiles as well, so I don't see why it would be any different with a beardie. I do believe it does not contain any added Vitamin D3 which a lot of the calcium supplements do have. If you have a MegaRay bulb as a D3 light source, then you would be ok. If you have another bulb for the D3, you could use some extra D3 supplementation.

 

[BuzzL1ghtbeer]

I am using a UVB 10.0 strip bulb and I get him multivitamins twice a week too

 

[eruantalisse]

Not to bug, but the MegaRay provides UV-A and UV-B rays. UV-B rays are needed for the beardie so they can create the vit D3 themselves (they need a lot of both as they are mainly desert animals). A lamp itself cannot create vit D3, but it helps the beardie by providing the UV rays needed. As the MegaRay is a very good lamp, it is not the only lamp which provides UV-B. If you cannot buy a MegaRay, then use an other, proper lamp for UV-B and a seperate one for UV-A (I think they are called "Daylight lamps", but always check the box).

I would suggest carefulness with adding extra vit D3 supplements, while it is not quite known how much a beardie should need (too much can be as dangerous as too little). Supplements can be helpful, as long as they are not used as replacement.