RETF Lighting Debate

[SparkyTucker69]

So where I live it's been exceptionally hot lately and I've been having to unplug my frog's light because it's getting too hot for him. By doing this, am I risking his life because he's not getting the Vitamins the light has been giving off? I do dust his crickets with Calcium + d3 powder so he's getting that. I've read that it's debatable whether or not RETFs actually need artificial light in their enclosures since they are nocturnal but.. I don't know. What do you guys think?

[mrzoggs]

red eyes dont need light. i do not use lights on mine. i know plenty of other succesful red eye owners who dont use light either. the only reason you would need a light in a red eye tank is for a daylight shedule (if you dont get enough daylight in your room), or heat. Calcium with d3 is enough. vitamins are also good. they like complete darkness at night. no light whatsoever. end of story.

[SparkyTucker69]

Okay. I think I'm going to leave his light off until he needs it for heat aid again. And I'm going to continue with the Vitamins. Thanks.

[mrzoggs]

calcium with d3 is good for daily feeding. you can get some powder vitamins to use once a week but i use exo terra liquid suppliment and put a couple drops every day in their water bowl when i change their water

[flybyferns]

So where I live it's been exceptionally hot lately and I've been having to unplug my frog's light because it's getting too hot for him. By doing this, am I risking his life because he's not getting the Vitamins the light has been giving off? I do dust his crickets with Calcium + d3 powder so he's getting that. I've read that it's debatable whether or not RETFs actually need artificial light in their enclosures since they are nocturnal but.. I don't know. What do you guys think?

I use a 2.0 ( for my frogs) above my enclosures 365 days a year for > 2 years.
Plus, florescents and regular base plant bulbs........ for the plants.
I have not read any information regarding it causing any harm ( for older froglets and adults) a long as a day/night cycle is provided.

[frogzombie]

I'm new to keeping frogs. I own a red eyed tree frog and I'm not an expert . I've heard people on this forum say red eyes don't need light and they may be right. I know a day and night cycle is provided for them in nature so I suggest providing them one in captivity. I'm looking into a device called the light cycle unit . This device provides proper day night cycle for reptiles and also has a 30 min dimmer for simulationof dusk and dawn this gives your little pet time to hide from the light they don't need :P . Live plants like in nature are nice for them but apparentlynot mandatory.

[morgan]

I'm such a nerd that I have 3night bulbs in the room's fan fixture so all the tanks have moonlight.
Bonus----I can always find my house at night; it's the one with the purple window!

[flybyferns]

I'm such a nerd that I have 3night bulbs in the room's fan fixture so all the tanks have moonlight.
Bonus----I can always find my house at night; it's the one with the purple window!

Morgan,
You have really given yourself away ......now. "Child of the 70s"

Seriously,have you noticed less frog activity using the blue bulbs?
I no longer use blue or red bulbs (red eyed tree frogs).
My frogs seemed to be disturbed and less active every time I put them up?
I know "they" say the frogs can not see them ............but........ I don't know?
I have wasted most $$ on light bulbs; having not been satisfied w/ purchases compared to any other supply.

[morgan]

I have many herps, not just frogs. And I have the bulbs otherwise it would be pitch black and impossible for nocturnal hunters who do need some light at night. I don't use them for heat.

These aren't the $expensive "reptile" night bulbs, just cheapo party CFL from Lowes.

[frogzombie]

I use a 15 watt night glo 2.0 only long enough for me to feed my Red-Eyed Leaf Frog during her night cycle even with that I can barely see. I do notice less activity well the light is on. Hermit sits on the edge of her water bowl overlooking her feeding bowl and won't go after the crickets untill I turn the bulb off I wait 15 mins then turn it back on and take the leftovers out. I'm new to keeping frogs but it seems like she's trained

[mrzoggs]

my red eye eats fine in pitch black. really the OP just wanted to make sure he didnt have to use his lights because it was overheating his tank. he definitely does not have to have any light on his tank for red eyes. Light on red eyes is just for daylight shcedule and heat. If your room has a window in it than you dont need a daylight shcedule. The light in your room is plenty. And since his tank is overheating during the day he definitely doesnt need to put any light on his red eyes.

As for night, they do not need any type of light to be able to see their food. If i put a light on my red eyes at night they are barely active at all. To be honest, my frogs werent acting right until someone who knows a lot about herps suggested i take the lights off them. Once i did that they acted normal. So OP, you dont need any light on your red eyes. and the best thing for you to do if your tank is over heating is take any heat source ( lights ) away from your tank. If you have live plants and they require light, try LEDs. My live pothos did fine without a bulb.