I'm going to be getting a bearded dragon shortly and have been researching them for quite some time. Most of my questions have been answered but I have a couple left. First, for the UVA/UVB light fixture, is it necessary for the light to run the entire length of the cage or is a fixture that runs a partial length ok? Second, I've heard a very little bit about supplements vs lighting. Some claim that you can avoid the UVA/B light by supplementing the beardie's diet with a specific calcium supplement? Anybody know anything else about this? Thanks!
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Beardie Lighting
Playmatekozmo
Oct 10, 2006 11:28 AM
Replies (2)
mkco79
Oct 10, 2006 08:28 PM
Hi,
Defintly would recomend running your uva/uvb the entire length.
As far as supplements go: I do not think that you can just replace the UVA/b by useing supplements. Well maybe you can but it would defintily not be as healthy. Even when using the proper lighting you still have to supplement with powders useing the amount that is apropriate for your dragons age.
Even when doing all these things it is still a great idea when weather permits to get your beardie some much needed natural sunlight. Nothing compares to that.
Wether your worried about electric bills or spending money on the proper equipment I defintly recomend that you make sure you have the budget to buy and maintain all of these things and being able to if your getting a young one, being able to afford the masive amount of crix that the lil guy will consume before purchasing your beardie.
M
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Mike & Wendy 
2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Beardie
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's
PHLdyPayne
Oct 10, 2006 10:12 PM
The uvb light should run at least 2/3 of the length of the tank. This ensures sufficient exposure to UVB rays your bearded dragon needs for proper health. As for substituting supplication of vitamin D3 for UVB light, I deffinitely don't recommend it. It is too easy to over dose your dragon with suppliments as it still isn't understood just how much vitamine d3 they need on a daily basis for proper metabalism of calcium. As most UVB bulbs do not produce sufficient UVB rays, we need to add calcium with vitamin d3 in our dragon's diet to ensure they are getting enough, especially with young growing dragons or gravid females.
About the only way to completely stop using UVB bulbs and supplimentation is to house your dragon out doors where they can access the sun directly and bask as much as they need to ensure their own health. Even then a multivitamin should still be offered regularly to ensure they have all the essential nutrients they need.
A healthy diet with as much variety as possible (both in insects (crickets, silkworms, superworms, butterworms, roaches etc) and greens/vegetables (collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, green peppers, etc) ensures your dragon is getting the best you can offer in nutrition.
Unfortunately there is no 'cheap' way to ensure your reptiles health, when it requires uvb rays, you have to buy the expensive lights and replace them every 6-9 months. However, the cost of vet bills far exceeds the cost of proper food and lighting.
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PHLdyPayne
