after hearing an experienced monitor keeper on this forum mention that providing his reptile with UVB made him abit nervous because of possible detrimental effects, i decide to update my lack of knowledge on the subject

this link - will help/ educate people on the UV debate by understanding it abit more lol

UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test

it is quite a read but worth it - if your armed with the knowledge to buy the correct product for your species needs, then that can only be a good a thing

perhaps a mod could make the link a sticky -

as more research is being done users can update their knowledge and/or check out products etc


- go on, get reading

__________________
my family1.0.0 leo, spike1.1.1 bosc, zuko-Mo-Tigga1.0 american bulldog, bruno0.1 rottweiler, cheikawife2.2 kids + 1 on the waystep brother

seen this site before, very helpfull

__________________

~ 0.0.1 Bosc Monitor ~~ 1.0.0 Ackie ~~ 1.1.0 Water Dragon ~~ 0.0.1 Tokay Gecko ~
~ 0.1.1 Leopard Gecko ~~1.0.0 Bearded Dragon ~~0.1.0 Cali King ~

<3 one lovely girlfriend <3 LOL_xD

it has definitely helped me, and i think i understand abit more lol

__________________
my family1.0.0 leo, spike1.1.1 bosc, zuko-Mo-Tigga1.0 american bulldog, bruno0.1 rottweiler, cheikawife2.2 kids + 1 on the waystep brother

Yes - that's me (not that I'd call myself experienced lol). Since keeping Sav I've been on a lot of monitor specific forums and read a lot of stuff - and keep on reading the stuff regarding the UV and some of it sounds scary enough to put me off. i.e. possible eye damage that could only (apparently) have been caused by using uvb and also with keepers possibly over-supplementing by using them along with too much D3. resulting in overdosing. I've just been over to varanus.nl (specialist monitor forum) and used the search function to look up again over old posts on what they were saying on it over there and it all seems quite conflicting and confusing.

Many long term keepers that have been around a while (like FR of Goanna Ranch) have never touched a uvb in their monitors' lives - and they keep on breeding and on KS).

If it were just the fact of adding it if it did no harm but may do some good I would get it like a shot, but I'm very wary of doing something that wouldn't be good.

Incidentally, just went on the uv site linked and they were also mentioning possible eye damage.

So yeah, it seems to be one big question mark in a way and really frustrating not being entirely sure what to do for the best.

By using UVB to allow the herp to naturally synthesise D3 from calcium there is no risk of overdosing, as the body only metabolises what is required. This is one reason that I think UVB is so important to sun-loving herps.

I read once that animals that consume exclusively whole prey items dont need to be able to do this as they obtain D3 in a ready-digestible form from the creature they're eating. I have no idea if that is true.

__________________

4.6.0 Monkey Tailed Skinks - "Kaiser", "Nimbus", "Murdock", "Aquila", "Bali", "Altjira", "Grover", "Rembrandt", "Dali" & "DaVinci"
1.0.0 Argentine Tegu - "Big Teg"
2.0.0 Cats - "Frazier" & "Reese"

Jos Little World - Monkey Tailed Skinks
Jos Wider World - Tegus, Chuckwallas and More

Hi Razaiel -

what do you think of the link?
worth making a sticky so people can learn abit for themselves?

i will be checking the site frequently for any updates and will continue to try and learn about all the aspects of captive lighting even though its like a big science lesson with nobody telling you the right way to do it lol

frustrating stuff

ive been looking for a decent monitor forum - is that one you would recommend???

.nl is new zealand isnt it?? when you say the Goanna ranch - dont they keep them outdoors??

__________________
my family1.0.0 leo, spike1.1.1 bosc, zuko-Mo-Tigga1.0 american bulldog, bruno0.1 rottweiler, cheikawife2.2 kids + 1 on the waystep brother

Forgot to mention, there is also a Yahoo group dedicated to this which is more active than the UVGuide (obviously!), I believe its called UVB Meter Owners.

__________________

4.6.0 Monkey Tailed Skinks - "Kaiser", "Nimbus", "Murdock", "Aquila", "Bali", "Altjira", "Grover", "Rembrandt", "Dali" & "DaVinci"
1.0.0 Argentine Tegu - "Big Teg"
2.0.0 Cats - "Frazier" & "Reese"

Jos Little World - Monkey Tailed Skinks
Jos Wider World - Tegus, Chuckwallas and More

You know, I'm not really, sure they may well keep them outdoors some of the time (considering their weather's probably a lot better than ours).

You're right about the science lesson (never my strong subject!) Did you see the pics of the lizards that had supposed suffered from the over-dose of UV? They say that when it was withdrawn most of them recovered. Like you say, so frustrating You try and do the best for your lizard but not sure what is really the best!

Yes, varanus.nl is a pretty good forum. I don't contribute a lot to it as they are very advanced there and have some pretty strong rules about posting and stuff. But I read a lot.

ive read both statements you mentioned, but then it normally follows with - many species do better, grow quicker and appear healthier and happier with UVB

but reading things on that link, many manufactures claims of there levels of UVB produced by their lamps are accurate at only certain ranges etc etc and its just good to have a general knowledge of certain facts to make a well rounded opinion

__________________
my family1.0.0 leo, spike1.1.1 bosc, zuko-Mo-Tigga1.0 american bulldog, bruno0.1 rottweiler, cheikawife2.2 kids + 1 on the waystep brother

Yes - I have read that too. I am thinking in a sav's case they don't (or shouldn't) eat exclusively rodents - but a much more insect based diet.