| Member |
Message |
|
#2057300
Janmccri
View Profile
|
UVA/UVB Lights 
What has every one read is a good wattage for a BTS (I have an Eastern) for the UV lighting? I have a 55 gallon tank and have been using a Reptisun 5.0, but Placing it on the top of the tank makes it higher than 12 inches above the substrate. Should i get an 8.0 or 10.0 instead?
Janice
|
|
08/15/09 02:35am
|
|
|
#2057358
HerpsinIN
View Profile
|
Message To: Janmccri In reference to Message Id: 2057300
UVA/UVB Lights
What I have be told by the LONG time bluey breeders, you do not need UVB. The one guy has been doing exactly what he has since he first started breeding blueys and he has had his original female breed for 18 years in a row and produce offspring every time! If UVB was vital to a BTS health, then I dont think they would produce like that. Also, he is a dog food/frozen veggies feeder with Calcium wiith D3 and vitamins on top.
So if dog food and no UVB is bad for Blueys, how can this guy (as well as other breeders I have talk to), then how is his original female (around 20 years old) producing 18 years in a row? I think that is enough proof for me!
I would leave the same UVB that you have now. Blueys aren’t really basking animals like Bearded dragons. I wouldnt worry about.
|
|
08/15/09 08:02am
|
|
|
#2058419
Janmccri
View Profile
|
Message To: HerpsinIN In reference to Message Id: 2057358
UVA/UVB Lights
I think that I will up it to an 8.0 because of the tank size. I have done my homework and BTS do need UV lights and do come up to bask occasionally. It is time to clean out the tank and get ready for winter, so I will make a list of changes I might make to his tank. Thank you.
Janice
|
|
08/16/09 09:24pm
|
|
|
#2058475
HerpsinIN
View Profile
|
Message To: Janmccri In reference to Message Id: 2058419
UVA/UVB Lights
Just out of curiousity, where did you find information regarding BTS NEEDING UVB? I have yet to find scientific articles confirming that statement. I think all the fluorescent bulbs are junk and a waste of money. IMO, they dont give off enough to even make a difference. If you want to provide UVB, the go with Mercury Vapor. Or since it is going to be winter, dont even worry about changing the bulb until spring since your skink will probbaly be going into brumation soon.
|
|
08/16/09 10:53pm
|
|
|
#2058510
Red Ink AUS
View Profile
|
Message To: HerpsinIN In reference to Message Id: 2058475
UVA/UVB Lights
I don’t think you will find any specific research unless you check google scholar and pay for the articles. There are a few dedicated science search sites like sciencedirect or quest and such for researchers and scientific papers, you have to pay though. I understand your reasoning in saying you know someone who has not provided UVB lighting for their BTS for a couple of decades and they have thrived, but i also know of people that have and they have thrived so which one is right?
|
|
08/17/09 12:27am
|
|
|
#2058527
Janmccri
View Profile
|
Message To: Red Ink AUS In reference to Message Id: 2058510
UVA/UVB Lights
If you look at the following websites,they all promote using UV lighting.
Bluetongueskinksdotnet which is my favorite
The Lizard Lounge
LLLReptile
In fact, it was hard to find any care sheet on a BTS site that did not recommend UV/UVA lighting. BTS’ do bask in the sun and do reap the benefits from the sun to maintain healthy bones.
Janice
|
|
08/17/09 01:25am
|
|
|
#2058592
HerpsinIN
View Profile
|
Message To: Red Ink AUS In reference to Message Id: 2058510
UVA/UVB Lights
I find it funny that you put bts.net as your source. The reason I say that is the owner of the site, the creator of the caresheet, does not even provide UVB for his skinks! He claims he just takes them outside every once in a while.
While I appreciate you taking your time to post your sources, I find all of them opinions. Heck LLL cant even properly identify their blueys correctly half the time, so I think they would be the last I would get my info from.
Red Ink Aus- I think you are on the right path. There are very very limited scientific articles (if any) about Tiliqua needing UVB. THe way I feel, if breeders have used UVB for decades and others have NOT used UVB for decades, and they both come out with the same results, to me that says that UVB is not necessary for proper health and reproduction.
|
|
08/17/09 07:40am
|
|
|
#2058961
Janmccri
View Profile
|
Message To: HerpsinIN In reference to Message Id: 2058592
UVA/UVB Lights
IDK the owner of the website, but their care sheet recommends using UV for blueys. He suggests in addition that going outside is a great idea, but it definitely says to use one. Apparently, this is a subject sensitive to you. This is how I make up my mind. Most animals get some rays at some point of the day. My bluey definitely basks every few days during half of the year. He sleeps most of the winter months eating maybe once a week to every two weeks, basking before he eats. All of our bones need some Vit D to stay healthy. so I will spend the money to put a UV strip over him to give him what he needs to live a long and healthy life, even if that means he will only use it occasionally. I would rather do that than to find out later that I didn’t give him something he needed only it is too late. My bluey has always had a UV on for the past nine years. I just wanted to check if I was doing it right or could use some improvement. this was not meant to start a fight. Apparently, the whole issue is controversal. I know others who support my view. It is okay for you to disagree and take care of your pets as you see fit. My bluey is already around 14 years old and I hope to have him around another ten if possible, walking soundly.
Janice
|
|
08/17/09 04:43pm
|
|
|
#2059093
HerpsinIN
View Profile
|
Message To: Janmccri In reference to Message Id: 2058961
UVA/UVB Lights
Huh? I didnt know that debates and someone stating their opinion on a forum is now considered fighting! Thats a new one for me. You asked what everyone has "read" about using UVB. I went a little farther and stated personal experience from bluey owners/breeders who have FAR more experience with the Tiliqua species than you, me, and all those websites you are getting your information from.
I will try to find a SCIENTIFIC article that I read talking about what type of reptiles seem to require UVB and which ones dont. It has to due with the scale types that reptiles have. Species that seem to have more "skin" type, like iguanas, bearded dragons, chameleons, etc seem to require the UVB, while the reptiles that have the larger, more plate like scales, such as skinks, dont need it. Reason being that the UVB cant penetrate through the armor like scales these reptiles have. It was very interesting.
And honestly, I will not be posting this for you as you seem to be very close minded and taking offense to what I am saying. But to the people that are reading this post might find some interest in it.
|
|
08/17/09 07:26pm
|
|
|
#2059138
Red Ink AUS
View Profile
|
Message To: HerpsinIN In reference to Message Id: 2059093
UVA/UVB Lights
I’d be interested when you find it HerpsinIN PM me when you find it or just post it and let me know when you have done it. I tried to map the total body coverage absorption of UVB in bearded dragons for a research paper at University, but sadly i discontinued that reaserch before any conclusive findings could be made. It would be interesting fo find out the make up of the scales if indeed they do pass UVB or if there is a difference in the cellular structure itself of scales from species to species.
Cheers,
|
|
08/17/09 08:17pm
|
|
|
#2059274
Janmccri
View Profile
|
Message To: Red Ink AUS In reference to Message Id: 2059138
 UVA/UVB Lights
This is getting a little out of hand which it is not meant to be. You certainly are very passionate about your opinions which I can respect. It was not my intention to engage in a debate, only to gather information about which UV to purchase. I have heard your opinion about you feeling that it is not necessary to purchase a UV and I have listened to it. I will also listen to the opinions of others. Because I am not choosing to agree with you, does not make me closed minded. Whether you chose or do not chose to post info for me is your choice. However, as Francis said he would be interested in what scientific research you could potentially come up with indicates that others may be interested as well. Remember when we post opinions, it has a lot to do with how they are presented making sure that we respect each others likenesses and differences. I wish you and your beautiful bluey well and do not wish to perpetuate any further ill feelings between us. Truce?
Janice
|
|
08/18/09 12:01am
|
|
|
#2059282
Janmccri
View Profile
|
Message To: Janmccri In reference to Message Id: 2059274
UVA/UVB Lights
Francis,
Check out reptileuvinfo.com and reptilechannel.com and tell me what you think.
Janice
|
|
08/18/09 12:40am
|
|
