UVA/UVB lights for tree frogs?

[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.

[Lija]

when it comes to frogs and to exotics in general there are so many unknowns, probably for every known fact there are 100 or more unknown, so in a lot of cases we need to go with experience, and base our decisions on what is known vs opinions.
yes high levels of any radiation, including UVB are harmful for anyone people including, there are tons of studies done in regards to it, now when ozone layer is getting thinner, the more and more radiation getting through atmosphere and more consequences we see, including developmental problems in all species, cancer, etc. however low levels are beneficial for growth and development and for many species are essential in order to support proper metabolic processes. It is like with drugs - too many of a good thing making it a bad thing.

Frogs differ greatly in their need for UVB, some species are adapted to live in no UVB environments ( pacmans, tomato, etc), while others need UVB to certain degree ( most tree frogs, darts) and some have to get higher levels of UVB (waxies). thus in captivity we need to provide environment as close to their natural one as possible.. as example waxies- they live high up, perching under the sun all day long, in captivity they have to have high percentage UVB bulbs- 5 for smaller tanks and can go as high as 10 for taller tanks and they will go as close as they possible can to the lamp, otherwise they will start being unhappy, dull in color and eventually die for no apparent reason. In comparison pacmans can live perfectly happy with absolutely no UVB. Tree frogs need small parentage of UVB, they live in a trees and this way they get certain percentage of UVB in a wild.

keep in mind vitamin D3 is fat soluble, in order for chemical form to be properly absorbed it has to be mixed with oil, powder form that we use in combination with Ca can't guarantee proper D3 absorption. MBD is very common among fast growing frogs in captivity, less common in smaller tree frogs. Treatment protocol calls for 4-6h per day low ray exposure for everybody, including pacman frogs who don't need UVB under normal circumstances, and excluding albinos due to their sensitivity to light.

as for plants... i think we all learned it in 4th grade.. that plants need sunlight for proper photosynthesis, sunlight meaning full spectrum one. i'm not going to go in depths there.

if you guys want some science here are a few articles that are available for free
UV-B Radiation
Amphibians and Ultraviolet Radiation
https://aark.portal.isis.org/researc...tamin%20d3.pdf

[carsona246]

UVB is not full spectrum light, I have never had to use UVB lighting to grow plants, and in fact doubt using just UVB lighting would be effective at all. You do not need UVB lighting to grow plants in your vivarium.
Again, not claiming UVB is harmful in small doses. But I also do not think it is necessary. Supplementing D3 clearly has some benefit/absorption because from my forum search it appears many people do not use UVB lighting. I think it is more than fair to say that too much UVB lighting is more harmful than too little. Clearly many types of frogs can be raised in an environment without UVB lighting and lead healthy lives.
While treatment for MBD may be exposure to uvb, that does not mean it is necessary in a healthy frog's environment, given they do not possess an unusually high need for UVB lighting. Again, not arguing that UVB in appropriate doses is not beneficial, but I don't think it's necessary with dietary supplementation(again basing this off the knowledge that many people do not use UVB lighting, and have healthy frogs).
I'll make sure to read through the articles when I have time, but a quick skim gives me the impression that the need for UVB lighting on amphibians is still being debated in the scientific community. One the articles stated that no formal studies have been done to assess the needs of UVB and D3 in amphibians.

[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.