UVB lighting Fire bellied toads!!!

[alane]

Based on recommendations from this forum, I switched to a "reptisun 10.0" and got rid of the LED lighting.

This is probably a little on the heavy side, I might be able to get away with a 5.0. But I went with what the store had. My frogs are about 13 inches from the top of the aquarium, often in the water, and also often in shade.

Seems to work; I can see a bit of fluorescence as if I had turned on a black light.

[jasonm96]

At distance of 13" it's not much less UVB than what you'd give a beardie. When using over 5% with frogs it's a good idea to check on the box for the exact amount of UVB it puts out per distance or contact the manufacturer to see what they recommended and if they can tell you if it's not on the box. Infact it's always a good idea to know at least roughly how much exposure your tube puts out as the potency or danger comes with distance, and has to be adjusted with higher or lower rated tubes. Handheld solarmeters are sold for this purpose but these are very expensive and not worth it for small collections. Arcadia do good UVBs and are patricially clued up on exactly what they're products do and how to use them.

[Froggie85]

Thanks guys Jason did inform me that mine is okay .. I am just curious pretty much why my frogs SUCK! They are not active or active eater just my older one that has retardation problems !

[jasonm96]

Patience, I say :P Fire-bellies are brilliant frogs, just in your case, they probably need time to settle down as they are probably WC.

[Froggie85]

Well I don't want wild caught ones then haha ! I went to message you but your box is to full :P

[jasonm96]

Cleared some space again, haha!

[alane]

I kind of think that the "reptisun 10.0" light is a little severe for my application. But it's all my local store had.

The aqueon deluxe hood is flexible enough for me to insert something in between the light and the tank. I put a paper towel in there. The fluorescence in the tank is still there but it appears to be half of what it was.

My understanding is that fire belly toads need only a little bit of this UV. Most of these frogs live in lowland watery areas, and that environment has UV light such that you would get at a zero elevation in a humid environment...which is rather low.

I wonder what the cheapest way is for me to measure actual exposure. You are probably correct that it isn't worth the expenditure for this one application.

[Froggie85]

you must be popular lol... I forgot what I said now It will come back to me lol.. but while im thinking about it , what do you think about the tanks that open from the front ? are they a hassle to take care of was thinking of getting one in a few months