Vitamin D3

[Ashleymthornton1990]

So I have read a lot of comments about some owners give their bearded dragon calcium with D3 and some don't because of a certain light. I'm very confused on what my dragons need calcium wise. Both have calcium with D3 2 to 3 times a week. Both UVB lights are the long tubes zoomed repti sun 10.0 and are fixed to the inside of their tanks

 

[kingofnobbys]

If the tubes are a T5HO 10%UVB or higher, and located so the dragon in EACH VIV can get to within 10 inches of the tube (which is in a reflector hood or has a slip on reflector behind/above it) , vitD3 fortified calcium is not necessary , as the dragons can produce all the natural vitD3 from the UVB they are receiving when basking .

Infact , giving vitD3 fortified calcium can result in serious health issues due to overdosing with oral vitD3 (Hypervitaminosis D3) , and r3tard the uptake and conversion of oral calcium and cause hypercalciumia as a result , refer to viewtopic.php?f=6&t=233592

 

[Ashleymthornton1990]

If the tubes are a T5HO 10%UVB or higher, and located so the dragon in EACH VIV can get to within 10 inches of the tube (which is in a reflector hood or has a slip on reflector behind/above it) , vitD3 fortified calcium is not necessary , as the dragons can produce all the natural vitD3 from the UVB they are receiving when basking .

Infact , giving vitD3 fortified calcium can result in serious health issues due to overdosing with oral vitD3 (Hypervitaminosis D3) , and r3tard the uptake and conversion of oral calcium and cause hypercalciumia as a result , refer to viewtopic.php?f=6&t=233592

The light fixtures I got from walmart and they do not have the reflectors in it. Someone told me that I could use foil and that would work just as good as the reflectors

 

[CooperDragon]

Foil is better than nothing but aren't nearly as effective as a high quality, polished reflector. If the fixture is an under counter style from walmart then it's likely a T8 fixture. I suggest having this at about 6'' above the basking area (no further than 8'') for best results. With these bulbs even with a good reflector I recommend using a calcium supplement with D3. I would dust all of the bugs you offer in a light, even coat of supplement. Shaking them in a small cup with the supplement usually works well.

 

[Ashleymthornton1990]

Foil is better than nothing but aren't nearly as effective as a high quality, polished reflector. If the fixture is an under counter style from walmart then it's likely a T8 fixture. I suggest having this at about 6'' above the basking area (no further than 8'') for best results. With these bulbs even with a good reflector I recommend using a calcium supplement with D3. I would dust all of the bugs you offer in a light, even coat of supplement. Shaking them in a small cup with the supplement usually works well.

I believe your right about the T8. It is an under the counter fixture. I will continue using D3 regular dusting and adjust my lights. I believe they are around 10 inches away. But I will double check and adjust them.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[kingofnobbys]

If the tubes are a T5HO 10%UVB or higher, and located so the dragon in EACH VIV can get to within 10 inches of the tube (which is in a reflector hood or has a slip on reflector behind/above it) , vitD3 fortified calcium is not necessary , as the dragons can produce all the natural vitD3 from the UVB they are receiving when basking .

Infact , giving vitD3 fortified calcium can result in serious health issues due to overdosing with oral vitD3 (Hypervitaminosis D3) , and r3tard the uptake and conversion of oral calcium and cause hypercalciumia as a result , refer to viewtopic.php?f=6&t=233592

The light fixtures I got from walmart and they do not have the reflectors in it. Someone told me that I could use foil and that would work just as good as the reflectors

Aluminium foil has at best a reflectivity of 86% , if smooth . A lot less crumpled (will scatter light now than it'll reflect it).

I suggest a visit to the local hardware shop to buy some thin polished stainless steel sheet , bend it into an approximate parabola shape and this will tend to focus as well as reflect the light.