So you were purposefully trying to stir the pot? This forum really is the exception to most forums out there. Rather than everyone trying to shove their opinions down your throat in an offensive manner, we actually try to educate people. And we try to do it in a manner that encourages people to stay around and actually listen. Unfortunatly sometimes people just don't like hearing the answers to their own questions. Especially if it is not the answer they want.

If you want to find out if yours is ok, get a ruler out. if the holes are bigger than 1/4" it is fine. However, just because it came from the guy that built the vivarium doesn't mean that he made it perfect. There are many reptiles that wouldn't need the UVB, or he may just not know that it would be filtered out. In addition to that, when you get answers from a pet store they tend to be biased answers geared towards getting them more money.

This actually isn't true. The UVB is needed to help the animal produce calcium. This would affect the bones first and for a long time prior to seeing outward signs of something wrong. By the time you see signs and symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease it is generally to late to prevent it and most times very difficult for the animal to live with.

Also like to point out that the only way to know how the bones are doing is with an X-ray by a CERTIFIED reptile vet...

I just have 2 questions in relation to their basking.
1. How old is your UVB bulb?
2. Are they in a glass terrarium or free roaming when sitting in the window?

We aren't trying to be know it alls. You asked a question and we tried to answer it for you. We have all been in your shoes and know the frustration of all the differing opinions out there... It can be very frustrating to think you are being a good parent to your "family" and then have someone point out something that isn't right. That is the reason why we suggest research. And I would honestly say that I would believe information I got from this forum over pretty much anywhere else in a heart beat. All the people here care about is the well being of the animal. And while some people have differing opinions, we all respect that and tend to leave things civil. But like Rich said, in the case of your UVB issues, there is an easy way for you to determine if we are right or not. Get a UV meter and check it for yourself.

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and I would also like to point out that sitting in front of the window will not give them any UVB either unless the window was open and there is no screen. The glass in the window would also filter out all the UV light...

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Not to mention that if it is direct sunlight on the glass, anything inside will be fried. The glass will act as a magnifying glass.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

As mentioned by others in this thread, we are not like other forums. Making an ignorant comment stating I am a "know it all" was not only uncalled for, but it was also unfounded. I didn't throw any information at you or try to belittle you. I simply stated a fact that is published all over the place and can be confirmed at home with any Solarmeter.

If your lid has the same openings as the one in the picture I posted, then you are all set. The standard cover bought at a petstore has openings of 1/4".


I didn't say I was a know it all either but it certainly didn't prevent you from calling me one. You are incorrect about the shedding. Shedding occurs when the animal outgrows their old skin. If they are eating, they are growing. Growth is determined by length and girth. When calcium deficiencies are visually apparent (twisted spine or limbs,crooked/soft jaw, etc.) that is when growth is typically halted. Prior to that, growth slows down but doesn't cease.

So long as the UV light is producing useable UVB, and it is actually reaching them, then that is great. Thats what they should be getting.

Basking in the window is doing nothing for the animal if its closed and the screen is in. This is especially true for windows made over the past 20 or so years.

Glass filters out more than 95% of any useable UVB. As mentioned, when they are allowed to bask in the window, make sure they aren't in the tank. Tanks are like mini ovens. The suns energy can quickly overheat a tank.

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Do you put calcium on their food. I CAN SEE THAT CAUSING THE BONE DISEASE.

My reptiles are given a calcium supplement sprinkled on their food daily. The UV bulb is about 2 months old and I know they need to be changed often. I sit them in the window only because they seem to enjoy it and it's only about 20 minutes a week. They don't sit in front of the window all day. My green basilisk loves to look outside as long as he is beside his friend Grover. They are in a glass vivarium with beautiful furnishings. Their pond is cleaned daily and furnishings cleaned every other day. They are the most looked after reptiles I have ever seen, so leave me alone. I have bad eyesight and the larger writing helps me to see, and I don't see what the problem with it is anyway.

putting the calcium on the food causes the Metabolic Bone Disease????? Did I mis understand the statement? If not I have never heard of calcium supplements causing Metabolic Bone Disease.

I think everyone has been extremely nice to you and only offering you helpful advice, It seems as if you didnt get the answeres that you wanted so therefore we are the bad people?? I am a little confused in how that works.

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

I didn't word it right about the calcium supplement. I was asking you if you gave it to them to prevent the bone disease. I only found this site to see if I could feed my reptiles frozen shrimp, if you would all like to scroll back, and now everyone is jumping down my throat. We also have 5 bearded dragons for 3 years and they are all healthy, so I think I must know a little something.

I think you might have come to the wrong website because these people don't "leave" people alone they HELP people. Imagine that lol If they think they have spoted a mistake they simply try and help. So if you don't want that then you're definantly in the wrong place. Besides you started this up when you added the statment at the begining about the wire mesh. Nobody's saying you're a bad owner or anything just that there's room for improvement.

Hope you have a good day.

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My dream is that our love for people
and our love for animals
will one day become intertwined

Nobody here is trying to jump down your throat. We all want the best care possible for your little guys, and are only trying to help. You should keep that in mind when we give you advice, ask questions, or critizice something you do.

There are some (in fact many) Reptiles that cannot just get all of the vitamins they need from there food. Reptiles like igaunas, water dragons, Anoles, Bearded Dragons and quite a few more. They have to have access to UVB light to produce vitamin D3, neccesary for proper bone growth. A supplement alone cannot prevent Metabolic Bone Disease. I invite You to look into this, Please Read over some of the information from this website here.
Welcome To ReptileUV - Mega-Ray® UVB lamps for reptile lighting worldwide
While they do sell products, most of the information comes from independent sources, and is not just them trying to make it rich.

Screen Lids, with mesh under a certain size are proven to filter out levels of UVB light, glass filters all UVB out. By pointing this out, were attempting to help you. Rather then getting defensive, you should listen to our side, no ones telling you that you can't disagree, but keep it civil, and remain open to the fact that you may be wrong. Nobody can know everything, thats why your here, right? To provide the best care for your pets you can.
Thats all were trying to do here.
Help you, help them.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."