Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been dosing nothing else but calcium carbonate on my insects when I got convinced that added D3 vitamin should me dosed too so I went out to the market trying to find one of the most known brands.I haven't found any so I purchased sera's reptimineral which mentions it contains 2000 IU in 1000g.I have a few questions regarding the label of the product.It has all vitamins listed in detail and when it mentions minerals, Ca takes 149mg in the overall 1000g.Some other common minerals account for some more mg.
So what does it make for the rest of the amount of substance?
Shouldn't calcium make a decent amount of the percentage in a reptile's mineral supplement?
Also what measuring unit IU stands for?
One more,do vitamins get oxidised over time?
One last,why do some reptile keepers choose to dose pure calcium carbonate when they can dose compounds containing other minerals trace elements and vitamins?
Thanks

I bet you have stirred up a hornet's nest with THIS question. I have about 8 different kinds of supplements and reading the labels is enough to give you a migraine. Some are only minerals, some are only vitamns, some are a combination of both, some minerals have D3, some don't. I have access to pure calcium carbonate from work so I just bring it home and I know it is pure and unadulterated. Many supplements are marketed as "indoor" or I version for herps kept indoors and they contain D3. The "outdoor" formulas O do not because outdoor herps should be receiving enough natural D3 from natural sunlight. A lot of people do not advocate the use of D3 if you are using artifical UVB lighting. If you ARE using supplements with D3 then providing proper amounts of calcium is an absolute necessity. Supplements with D3 should never be used when a herp is kept outdoors. IU stands for "internationa unit" and is a standard measurement in the pharmaceutical industry used worldwide. Chris Anderson sent me a link to a great articile on D3. Providing too much of it can cause a reptile to exhibit the same symptoms exhibited by those lacking it. While we're on supplements, probiotics are another supplement that is beneficial and non-harmful. nature zone has a line of supplements: essential probiotics, essential vitamins and essential minerals. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon

Actually it shouldn't be such a complex subject,it's really very basic chemistry.What effect do these elements have on chameleons and in what quantities thats another story..
Personally I can find out the first.