Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some practical advice.
Whether using a full spectrum light setup, or supplementing with Vitamin D3, I have not had any "D" associated problems. I just don't know which is better. I protect the D3 from heat and light, so theoretically it should be ok, (currently using supplements) but given "marginal" levels of D, The animal would be asymptomatic, ie, no bendybones or neurological trouble. It might not achieve full growth potential, though. The question: Have you tried both, and, if so, which is better? I figure, with your volume (I mean VOLUME)
your operation would be a bit more demonstrative of relative efficasy that my three animals! Thanks in advance.

sorry "relative efficasy than my three animals."

I can't believe i did that after thanking you for your spelling!!!

EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY EFFICACY
Bad Mark, Bad!!!

Thank heaven i wasn't spelling "prophylaxis" That word still makes people giggle.

Did I spell that right? hahahahahaha. If I spell something correctly, its more about luck.

Speaking of luck, I must be very lucky, because I cannot seem to induce CDD(calcium placement problems)

I do not use UV bulbs(UVA or UVB) I use any old litebulb that fits the bill(and does make a large bill) These days, I use mostly incandesents. In fact, since I started in 91, rearing monitors, I only used regular old litebulbs. I normally allow very fast grown. I have been accused of raising them too fast.

I use RepCal on insect feeders, but I have tested the same diets without any suppliments, without problems as well.

Suppliments are good when the monitors are not being kept within their proper temperature ranges. Or are very stressed

Which leads to this. I get the feeling HEAT, is what converts what needs converting to allow the placement of calcium. Maybe UVA and UVB penetrate deeper without surface heat(why there good at causing cancer) But it seems regular old everyday heat, does the job. Consider, only a very very small percentage of wild monitors spend time in the sun. They are mostly active out of sight, under/in/low lite, etc.

I have been able to cause one repeatable senario that will cause a type of Calcium problem. That is to keep the monitors hot and not feed them enough. Theres an easy fix, if your not going to feed a lot, lower the temps.

Other then that, I have avoided having experience with CD.

Simply put, I have not seen a need for suppliments or broad spectrum lites, as long as the monitors other needs were met. You know, needs that should be met even if you offer special bulbs and suppliments. Needs like temp choices, moisture choices, and lots of food, security choices, etc, you know basic husbandry.

I had raised hundreds of lizards of many species without those commerial products, so I never was compelled to use them with monitors.

I know this is boring but, good basic solid husbandry does wonders. Cheers

Sounds like it all goes back to "keep 'em hot and feed 'em a lot"
Can you see any problem with continuing to give small amounts of supplements? (As long as I've already got 'em?)

Suppliments is a very broad word. I have used RepCal with D-3, on every feeding, out doors, and saw no adverse reactions. Same with minerall.

Actually, Heatum and feedum, was coined, after trying all that stuff. Of course heatum, only means, offer a choice of heat up to hot(125 ). It does not mean, limit to heat only. Feedum, is very accurate, Feed the dang things, they eat every day. Yes, those two things plus mental security works very well. Much better then, UV bulbs and reptile this and that. Cheers