Re: Lizard lights in general

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Posted by Mr. D on April 07, 2002 at 22:46:42:

In Reply to: Lizard lights in general posted by Pete on April 07, 2002 at 16:06:51:

Nice to see that you are forming your own opinions by differentiating between your vet's and your own, Pete. Sine you asked, I'll toss out MY opinion as well (oh you all knew it was coming....;)~ )

What you've told us regarding your vet's opinions has me rather concerned for 3 reasons since you made it a point to say that he IS a herp vet.

1.) If he was really on the ball he would know that the mercury vapor bulbs are a viable option and easily allow for more than 12" of distance - in actuality, if you use say a 160w spot ActiveUV bulb you can place the bulb as much as 6 feet away from an animal and it is STILL receiving more UVB than if it were 12" away from the current best fluo tube.

2.) Supplimenting D3 in a dietary manner can actually be just as damaging as if an animal is not getting enough D3. In the case of iguanas, by relying on exposure to UVB their bodies can self-regulate the amount if D3 produced. When D3 is introduced via suppliment it could be very easy to overdose an ig thereby causing just as many problems. Hence the importance placed on UVB exposure. Granted there ARE certain cases when supplimentation is definitely warranted as in extreme cases of rehabilitation where iguanas have been D3/UVB deficient for extended periods of time. Generally speaking though, I'd much rather have a good UV source (Active, PowerSun, natural light), a good radiometer at my disposal, and a vet that can understand the need for specific D3 level testing in bloodwork. This way, I can be assured that an iguana is only getting the amount of D3 that it needs.

3.) From my reading as well as my own common sense, everything tells me that, much like any other animal including humans, iguanas prefer darkness in which to sleep as opposed to this "night time moonlight" carp. I fully advocate the use of radiant heat panels to control ambient enclosure temperatures. 100% heat source, 99.9% zero light source. That .1% only comes from the teeny tiny red power indicator that lets you know that power is getting to the unit (and yes, I know I can be a wiseass at times....;) )
As far as the basking source and the night temps, I do agree with those although a mv bulb will also take the place of a basking source.

I do believe that we're up to 6 cents now....;)

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: Nice to see that you are forming your own opinions by differentiating between your vet's and your own, Pete. Sine you asked, I'll toss out MY opinion as well (oh you all knew it was coming....;)~ ) : What you've told us regarding your vet's opinions has me rather concerned for 3 reasons since you made it a point to say that he IS a herp vet. : 1.) If he was really on the ball he would know that the mercury vapor bulbs are a viable option and easily allow for more than 12" of distance - in actuality, if you use say a 160w spot ActiveUV bulb you can place the bulb as much as 6 feet away from an animal and it is STILL receiving more UVB than if it were 12" away from the current best fluo tube. : 2.) Supplimenting D3 in a dietary manner can actually be just as damaging as if an animal is not getting enough D3. In the case of iguanas, by relying on exposure to UVB their bodies can self-regulate the amount if D3 produced. When D3 is introduced via suppliment it could be very easy to overdose an ig thereby causing just as many problems. Hence the importance placed on UVB exposure. Granted there ARE certain cases when supplimentation is definitely warranted as in extreme cases of rehabilitation where iguanas have been D3/UVB deficient for extended periods of time. Generally speaking though, I'd much rather have a good UV source (Active, PowerSun, natural light), a good radiometer at my disposal, and a vet that can understand the need for specific D3 level testing in bloodwork. This way, I can be assured that an iguana is only getting the amount of D3 that it needs. : 3.) From my reading as well as my own common sense, everything tells me that, much like any other animal including humans, iguanas prefer darkness in which to sleep as opposed to this "night time moonlight" carp. I fully advocate the use of radiant heat panels to control ambient enclosure temperatures. 100% heat source, 99.9% zero light source. That .1% only comes from the teeny tiny red power indicator that lets you know that power is getting to the unit (and yes, I know I can be a wiseass at times....;) ) : As far as the basking source and the night temps, I do agree with those although a mv bulb will also take the place of a basking source. : I do believe that we're up to 6 cents now....;)

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