Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there a benefit to using full spectrum UVA/UVB bulbs with dart frogs? Ie. for D3 synthesis etc?
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0.1.1 argentine horn
0.0.2 pixie
1.1.0 fire salamanders
0.0.1 axolotl
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0.0.1 cali king
0.1.0 sumatran blood python
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0.0.1 corn snake
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0.0.2 giant black millipdes
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0.1.0 Argentine B&W

Most people in the hobby do not use UV bulbs, and they do quite well without them. I have heard some speculation that using UV bulbs may be one of the tricks to getting some of the more difficult species to breed, but you have to remember that any glass cover over between your bulb and the frog will just reflect away almost all of the UV light.

I personally use compact fluorescents and have not had any calcium problems with my frogs. I would love to hear about anyone who is using UV bulbs and what their experience has been.
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Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

You would need to use UV bulbs inside the tank, as glass, etc. filters out nearly if not 100%, as Homer says. That would be difficult to do in a small terrarium without overheating, dehydrating or giving your frogs a fatal sunburn. While darts in the wild in rainforests do get some UV, it is mostly filtered and reflected from the surrounding vegetation. They are not baskers as some lizards and turtles are. Most of us supplement with Calcium and D3 instead. In a huge rainforest/zoo set up, it would be possible--but few of us have that option and the supplement dusting of vitamin/calcium plus D3 works.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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