UVA/UVB lights for tree frogs?

[Flying Dutchman]

I found an article that may be of some interest:

PLOS ONE: Ultraviolet Radiation Influences Perch Selection by a Neotropical Poison-Dart Frog

[carsona246]

Would love some scientific articles demonstrating the need for UVB light. However, I'm not sure if scientific articles are really necessary in this instance. If many people do not provide UVB light, and there are no negative signs of health in frogs kept without uvb light, then I would assume uvb light is not necessary. Not that I'm opposed to scientific articles, and if you have articles demonstrating evidence to the contrary I would be interested in seeing them.
Here's a quick thread I found where people claim to never use UVB lighting on their frogs. I think as long as D3 is provided there is no need for uva/b light.
http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/...-lighting.html

Interesting article Dutchman, I'll have to read it properly when I get off work.

[Flying Dutchman]

It's not the most scientific research I ever read, but it gives a good idea about UVA and UVB light and frogs. I also think calcium and D3 are enough, but just to be sure I have installed a 5.0 UVB light. Since I installed the light, I see my frogs more "out in the open".

[Flying Dutchman]

You could also check this link:
Fire Belly Toad Zoo Med says most amphibians do not require special UVB lightning.
On the other hand, taken from the LLLreptiles website (caresheet of Fire Bellies):

These frogs do seem to benefit from good lighting, and it additionally encourages diurnal behavior. Avoid the use of any type of light that will produce significant amounts of heat, as fire-bellied toads do not telerate temperatures much above 80 degrees for extended periods of time. Instead, consider a fluorescent tube, preferably a low UV output bulb (Repti-Sun 5.0) placed above the entire length of the enclosure.

That's the reason I'm using a Repti-Sun 5.0

[carsona246]

Do you have glass or acrylic under you bulbs? I've read that glass/acrylic blocks uvb lighting completely, which is the reason most dart frog keepers don't even both with it, because they prop the lights up with glass/acrylic.

[poison]

There has been several cases of MBD in frogs. This is a good reason to use uvb bulbs (or d3 supplements ).

[carsona246]

I'm not arguing against the use of UVB bulbs, but I also don't think they are necessary so long as you provide the correct supplementation.
OP's question was "do you need it?" and I think the correct answer is no.

[Flying Dutchman]

Do you have glass or acrylic under you bulbs? I've read that glass/acrylic blocks uvb lighting completely, which is the reason most dart frog keepers don't even both with it, because they prop the lights up with glass/acrylic.

If this question is for me, here's my answer:

I have an Exo Terra vivarium with the metal screen top. UVB will reach my frogs.