I have pics of Kermit, the green basilisk, and Grover, the water dragon at the gallery, but I haven't been able to put them up here so this is my last go around. Kermit and Grover have lived together for over a year now and I think they would be totally lost without each other. They are always together. I read somewhere in here if you have the UV on a screened lid all the UV gets filtered out. Well my guys are shedding and doing great and I have the UV on top of a screened lid of a glass viv.

Cuties. Did the bottom one have some snout damage? The UV will be filtered depending on the size of the screen holes.

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MARSHA

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

First things first, please don't post in all caps. It's hard to read.

The screen openings need to be at least 1/4" or larger for proper UV penetration. If the openings are smaller than that, UV IS being filtered. The animals would do fine for awhile, but the lack of UV will eventually lead to serious issues including death if it is not corrected.

That statement looks as if you are saying its ok because yours appear to be doing great. Users wouldn't be posting that UV is filtered if it weren't true. lol What does your UV meter read at the basking spot for UV levels? If you don't have one, then you certainly can't post as if you know it is ok. I do have one and I can assure you that the UV is being filtered.

Metabolic Bone Disease, renal failure, kidney failure, liver damage, etc. are all very real issues that will arise if these 2 animals are not getting the correct UV exposure.

If you are using a flourescent tube, they need to be able to get within 12" of the bulbs surface for the UV to be of any decent level for use. 10" or closer is actually better. (If your screen openings are smaller than 1/4", they aren't getting ANY UV from the flourescent.)

If the tube is older than 6 months old, the UV it is emitting is pretty much useless as it decays rapidly after the first 3 months of use.

I don't know much about basilisks, or water dragons, so I am not certain if their cohabitation is ideal. I personally disagree with cohabitation as most cases never end well for one or the other animal.

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So if the uv is being filtered what am I to do. What would I use for a lid. They can easily be 12 inches from the uv rays. My reps go to the vet for checkups and she says they are doing great. I find every time I go on one of these sites there is always someone who knows it all.

Its learning from experience, not that any one person knows it all. Research helps alot and accounts for alot of the knowledged and advice given. If your screen is what is listed above, check into getting a new one.

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MARSHA

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

Sites like this are designed to help other enthusiasts with questions they have, or to help correct mistakes they have made. If these sites didn't have people to help spread information they have learned, they would be useless.

I am sorry that you don't like the idea that screen filters out UV. Don't take my word for it. (I mean that literally.) You should now do your own research and verify if I am correct or not. That way, you learn how it gets filtered and why.

You can use screening btw. You just need to make sure the openings are 1/4" or larger. If this sounds hard to achieve, just head down to the local petstore and grab one of their screen covers. This is what they look like:

Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover - 10 Gallon - Cages - Habitats & Accessories - PetSmart

They come in a variety of sizes that accomodate most common size tanks.

Unless your vet is specifically checking the calcium levels in the blood, and their are no visual signs of illness or injury, their would be no reason for the vet to think the animal were having issues.

If you have done any online research pertaining to the water dragon you own, you must have swung in and read from Tricias Water Dragon site. (Seeing as its the largest water dragon site online and linked from almost every other water dragon article on the net.) Here is an excerpt from Tricias site:

I am not a "know it all". I have just done my research over the 25 years I have been keeping reptiles. From your comments, it sounds like it is time for you to do a bit now.

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I have been a member on this site for about two and a half weeks and have asked many questions and I will guarantee that no one on here thinks there a know it all. They Know what they know from experience and research and nothing more and they don't claim to know any more than they do because they want to help; not make you look stupid or anything. So I would recommend you do your own, valid research and post your results. I promise we'll take interest

By the way, when you get on here and criticize someone on here just as you did, it makes you look like a know it all.

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

Wow, I knew this would stir up the pot. The screen lid that is on my reptiles lid was made custom by a man that makes these vivariums for a reptile store. I looked at the photo of the one at petsmart and it looks just like mine. The place I purchased my vivarium is Gilliards reptiles in cambridge, ont. I am not a know it all and didnt say I was but my reptiles shed regularly and if the uv wasnt working properly they wouldnt be shedding like they are that is all I can say. Also they bask on a rope vine right under the uv plus they sit in the sun in my front window.

yes they would shed for a while. Metabollic bone disease takes a long time to show. By the time you have symptoms you are already in advanced stages. I would be curious to see what a reptile panel would show on him.

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

I have iguans in here that have severe advanced Metabolic Bone Disease and they are in the middle of a shed right now

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead