[Mworks]

Like Ed I believe that providing UVb for tads may not only be unnecessary but may be potentially damaging to tadpole development. When providing the histrionica with a UVb session I noticed a visible tad in one of the brom axils would 'go deep' when the bulb was switched on. Finding another tad in the BriBri viv I tried with the UVb directed on it's axil - similarly the tad 'went deep'.
This happened several times so my conclusions were that the tad knew what it needed and UVb wasn't on it's list.

Since that incident I have never thought of providing UVb for my tads. I also notice that many now provide constant UVb for their frogs. As I have mentioned previously I decided not to do this as after about 30 mins 'sunbathing' under a 10% Arcadia bulb every frog I have leaves the 'UVb lit' area and re emerge when the bulb is switched off.

I have also started to open the doors on some of the vivs with frogs I trust won't jump out. Of course I sit with the lamp ensuring no escapes and I have noticed that the frogs seem to have an awareness of UVb strength as they 'bathe' about 3 inches farther back than when the doors are closed and the UVb is going through the Optiwhite glass I use on all my viv doors. Coincidence - I don't know yet - I should have a better idea after a few more months experimenting.

Regards
Graham

 

[Mworks]

Stu
I don't believe there is a 'quick fix' to any of this - nor should there be! The more we experiment with vits, lighting and viv environments the more benefits we will eventually pass on to our frogs - and that's what it's all about. The more we discover, digest and share the better this hobby becomes. So as far as I'm concerned you are doing it 100% right - see what works for you - document it and share your success and remember sharing things that don't work is just as important.

Regards
Graham

 

[Mworks]

i am gonna start experimenting with this in some of my frogs, can you guys recomend a good fixture and bulb?

This is what I use......... not sure if IKEA is in the US.....................

As most of you know I put real importance on providing UVb for all my frogs. I made up a lamp a few years ago that did the job but was a bit of a pain to use - bring a chair to rest it on to light some of the viv.

So I decided that this week while it was half term that I would 'build' something more practical. We had been over to Ikea and Global light (£14) caught my eye as being perfect for adaption. It bends and twists in all directions and fastens to any shelf and all of my vivs are on some sort of shelf I thought I'd give it a go.

Here's the lamp before I 'adapted it.

Then using the Arcadia parts I already had

Lampholder

Reflector

and bulb D3+ 10%UVb

Then it was just a matter of removing the lamp fitting and rewiring in the Arcadia lampholder which fits really neatly on the swivel head that the Ikea lamp comes with.

Here's a close up of how the original wiring that is internal to the lamp fits the Arcadia lamp

and finaly a couple of shots of the new UVb set up in action - I am really pleased with it and it will make UVb day (once a week each viv gets one hour of UVB lighting) so much easier.

here it is on the Retic viv

and on the White Foot viv

It was just so easy to convert and looks like it has been manafactured by Arcadia - I should patent the idea!

Regards
Graham

 

[Mworks]

Are u using reptisun 10.0 bulb?

Arcadia bulb D3+ 10%UVb

 

[Mworks]

Is the glass on the front of the viv, a low iron glass? Or is that why you put the bulb so close?

All the doors on my vivs are made from Opti white Glass (low iron) which allows UVb pass through.

Regards
Graham