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Starphire glass does not allow nearly the UVB penetration that people think it does. I don't have the meters to test anything, but I believe Solacryl or screen mesh may be a better option. Starphire can also be difficult to find. It's rather a specialty product. Most glass shops don't use it or sell it. You could special order it from a glass shop, but being a product they don't use, they may require the purchase of an entire sheet.
The conversation seems to going in the direction, "Can proper UVB use replace a good clay substrate?".
Absolutely not. UVB lighting does not supply even the tiniest bit of calcium. UVB's biggest benefit is probably the vitamin D that it supplies. Now remember that calcium is completely useless with vitamin D. Without vitamin D, calcium cannot be properly absorbed and utilized by the body.
We shouldn't be asking whether UVB can replace a calcium enriched clay substrate, or vice-verse. Instead, realize that adding UVB is the next step in maximizing the effectiveness of a calcium bearing clay substrate. They marry together to form a more natural method of supplying calcium, and the vitamin D to process the calcium, to your young froglets.
The conversation seems to going in the direction, "Can proper UVB use replace a good clay substrate?".
Absolutely not. UVB lighting does not supply even the tiniest bit of calcium. UVB's biggest benefit is probably the vitamin D that it supplies. Now remember that calcium is completely useless with vitamin D. Without vitamin D, calcium cannot be properly absorbed and utilized by the body.
We shouldn't be asking whether UVB can replace a calcium enriched clay substrate, or vice-verse. Instead, realize that adding UVB is the next step in maximizing the effectiveness of a calcium bearing clay substrate. They marry together to form a more natural method of supplying calcium, and the vitamin D to process the calcium, to your young froglets.