Do you guys use UVs?

[moore_alis]

I know its not required, but for the most part do you use them? What do you think are the main differences in overall care/handling/feeding of a leo using a UV vs not using it? Specifically. I know it helps with added calcium. I have zilla desert series bulbs, the new ones not the old ones, haha. If you use lights, which ones do you use?

[StuartH]

Personally I don't use them and haven't had any problems! I've heard that they can be more active when they are used, but it would seem to me that since they spend all day in their hides they won't actually get any of it anyway! Although they do come out jsut before the lights go off so I guess they'd get some then.

I too am very interested to hear from someone who has had experience with both situations, and knows whether or not they act differently.

[Gecko]

I don't use UV for the following reasons:

1.  They get the D3 from their multivitamin
2.  Bright UV lamps and tubes can stress Leos out - like REALLY stress them out
3.  They're nocturnal/crepuscular, they don't need additional light

I have used a UV tube for a leopard gecko with severe MBD - when I say severe I mean literally legless.  I noticed a strengthening of the jaw bone within about 2 days and it seemed to do the trick.  All he did was hide though, he refused to come out because it was so bright.  UV isn't anything ti do with calcium, as it lets prompts D3 intake, and if the multivitamin does it for you, there's not much point in the tubes.  That's my take on it

[StuartH]

Remember thought that they experience really really bright light in the wild during the day. Then hiding away from seriously bright light is natural, expect them only to come out when they go off.

I doubt that it was specifically the UVB content of the lights that stressed your leos.

[StuartH]

I would also add that UV has everything to do with calcium. You are correct in that it allows D3 intake, but it is responsible for the breaking down of calcium into vitamin D3.   

Without the Calcium, there ain't no D3!!