UVB not necessary???

[reptigirl04]

From http://my.pclink.com/~dkelley/igcare.htm#wat

"It has long been thought that full-spectrum bulbs are necessary for iguanas to produce Vitamin D3 which helps iguanas absorb calcium. Recently, studies have been done that prove that this type of lighting DOES NOT work to duplicate natural sunlight. In fact, in a study done by Dr. Fredric L. Frye, it was determined that you would need 6 to 8 of these lights(commonly called Vitalites) within a few inches of the iguana, 12 to 14 hours a day to have any effect at all. We also know of a university student who did her master's thesis on full-spectrum lighting for reptiles. She used living tissue samples for the study and came to the same conclusion as Dr. Frye. Studies have also been done to show that iguanas can absorb Vitamin D3 through a proper diet. Full spectrum lighting can give off light that LOOKS similar to natural sunlight, so it may be psychologically beneficial for your iguana, but if you are just buying the light for calcium absorption reasons, don't waste your money. Instead, if you can provide them as much natural sunlight as possible, along with a good diet, this would be a far better thing to do as well as cheaper. There is no replacement for the benefits that your iguana can receive from natural sunlight. It does wonders for their coloration and their overall "pep". Remember to always provide your iguana with some shade to get out of the sun if they wish, and to never bring them outdoors in a glass aquarium as the heat inside the tank will quickly rise to lethal levels."

Knowing Frye is pretty well known for his research and stuff, i figured i'd share...i never heard it quite like this before...only that some lights are better than others....anyways, im not jumping to conclusions...im still using my lights.

[eddie]

Do a search on Nicoles posts on UV lighting.
New light designs come out daily and there are quite a few that are great for igs although not a total replacement for real sunlight.

[Ed_r]

While he may be correct that some of the flourescent bulbs may really not do much, the new Mercury vapor bulbs put out Tons more UVB than ANY flourescent could ever dream of putting out.

I can see the flourescent ones being pretty much worthless, but I wouldn't say they don't need UVB

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[reptigirl04]

oh...i was unaware that it was speaking only of flourescents or that the site's info was so out of date. Yea, after reading Nicole's posts, i stopped w/ the flourescents. i'm now using the Active Uv bulbs.

[John_White]

The main problem I have with the site where the information is posted is that the information isn't referenced? Where and when did Dr. Frye publish his findings? Where is the master's thesis published?

Anyone could publish a site stating that Dr. Frye did a study on anything. However, without references to real published scientific papers this site doesn't have a leg to stand on in my opinion.

[NicoleRussell]

I know I will sound like a broken record bu tif anyone has any questions and would like REALLY thorough answers from someone who knows his stuff---ask Bob Mac. The man amazes me each time I read his articles/findings and even his personal email.
With your permission RG I will post this to his group and ask for imput and then post it here---but like Ed pointed out---tubes are tubes. MVB's are a different animal. And not even all of those are create equal.
I have one bulb that I paid a fortune for that was putting out numbers like 8---understand that some quality bulbs put out numbers in the hundreds when first turned on. 8 is like---worthless for even heat. Yet this company has the nerve to charge 46 dollars for ONE bulb.
I am more and more impressed with Trex products. But to be honest zoomed is coming out with some superbulb that is supposed to blow the others out of the water...so lets see
But to answer your question---while some species are debatable for d3 supplementation Vrs UVB radiation---iguanas are not one of them. They need UVB to be healthy in any way.
The place an animal comes from has a serious bearing on what type of and how much uvb they get. This has been proven though blood tests after exposure.
I have Bob's permission to repost his findings and certain answers so I will if you wish, copy and paste this post for him to review.
You could if you wish even email his yourself---or I will do it---it really depends on what your comfortable with. Let me know

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[Ravnos]

I'm with John on this one. If there are no references cited, take it with a grain of salt. If you talk to a few old timer herp keepers that had iguanas 20-30 years ago, ask them what the life span of a captive green iguana was. Keep in mind, this was before it was common knowledge that UV was necessary. I agree that fluorescents don't give out nearly enough, and that more modern bulb technology is needed - but the study also fails to take into consideration that iguanas (and many diurnal lizards) -mental- health is improved immeasurably by bright, clean lighting, UV or not.

I think the main flaw I see with this particular study is that iguanas are uncannily tough. I have seen them live for over two years with no UV eating only dog food. Three years on nothing but cheese. Two years on crickets and iceberg... etc. A few samples in a lab setting is doing nothing to test a real world situation, nor is it testing it over the long term - which is absolutely necessary with iguanas. This is usually why its so hard to explain to people that their diet is wrong and they need UV lighting, they figure that if they were keeping it incorrectly it would have died long ago. Iguanas just don't die that easily.

Rav

[Ed_r]

I've ben using the tubes, and my Beardies seem to be "getting by" i finally found a source for the Westron Active UV MV Bulbs from beanfarm, and ordered them yesterday. I can't wait to see if theres a difference in my Beardies.

[herpkingdom]

i think we all need to move some place wamr where we can have outdoor enclsures for our animals all year round.

Say like Austrailia, some places in South America, but not over here! Too much sun, too much heat!!

[Ed_r]

*Thinks Jim has some sand wedged in places we never thought sand could reach*

[NicoleRussell]

ed you realize that you need an additional heat source with those right?
Just checking.