Supplement and UVB question?

[KillerCam]

I have searched and read all I can find on the internet, but I am even more confused now. I just bought a baby panther chameleon from screameleons this week and was going on that same exact supplementation recipe. My chameleon is doing good so far in the 5 days I've had him. He is drinking and eating about 10- 12, 1/4" crickets a day. I've been gut loading with carrots, romaine, and apples. I am really confused now about the supplementation. I have been reading a lot lately on this board about not using Repcal w/D3 too much, nor the multivitamins. I have RepCal w/D3 and just bought Herpivite. If I am not supposed to use that much D3, then should I dust lightly with Repcal without D3 every feeding, and only use the Repcal w/D3 twice a month, alternating weeks? And am I only supposed to use the Hepivite 2 times a month as well? My chameleon will not be getting much natural sunlight until the summer, so I am using a 60 watt basking light and a 5.0 Reptisun UVB bulb which he sits about 4-6" underneath. I have another fixture to house another 5.0 Reptisun bulb - would 2 bulbs be better than 1, or is that too much? Any help is much appreciated!

 

[baggedd5087]

I have searched and read all I can find on the internet, but I am even more confused now. I just bought a baby panther chameleon from screameleons this week and was going on that same exact supplementation recipe. My chameleon is doing good so far in the 5 days I've had him. He is drinking and eating about 10- 12, 1/4" crickets a day. I've been gut loading with carrots, romaine, and apples. I am really confused now about the supplementation. I have been reading a lot lately on this board about not using Repcal w/D3 too much, nor the multivitamins. I have RepCal w/D3 and just bought Herpivite. If I am not supposed to use that much D3, then should I dust lightly with Repcal without D3 every feeding, and only use the Repcal w/D3 twice a month, alternating weeks? And am I only supposed to use the Hepivite 2 times a month as well? My chameleon will not be getting much natural sunlight until the summer, so I am using a 60 watt basking light and a 5.0 Reptisun UVB bulb which he sits about 4-6" underneath. I have another fixture to house another 5.0 Reptisun bulb - would 2 bulbs be better than 1, or is that too much? Any help is much appreciated!

My little guy is 2 months old and i am using the herpative once a month, the calcium with d3 twice a month, and calcium without d3 6 days a week. for my lighting im using a 40 watt lightbulb about 12" away from his basking spot, and one 18" repti-glo 5.0 sitting right next to the basking lamp

 

[justjumpit621]

Read this: https://www.chameleonforums.com/supplementation-mbd-1-a-2451/

 

[KillerCam]

Thanks. I guess I should use the calcium without D3 everytime, and with D3 once every other week, alternating with the herpivite the other 2 weeks in the month then? Do I still have to use the D3 as much if I have 2 (15watt) Reptisun 5.0's going instead of 1?

 

[KillerCam]

My little guy is 2 months old and i am using the herpative once a month, the calcium with d3 twice a month, and calcium without d3 6 days a week. for my lighting im using a 40 watt lightbulb about 12" away from his basking spot, and one 18" repti-glo 5.0 sitting right next to the basking lamp

How is that schedule working for the chameleon so far? What signs do I look for if mine isn't getting enough UVB, calcium, D3, or vitamins?

 

[kinyonga]

Here's my reasoning behind supplementing...
Most feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous...so dusting at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder will help to balance this.

I dust twice a month with the Rep-cal calcium with D3 lightly to ensure that the chameleon got some D3 without overdoing it. Exposure to the UVB light should allow the chameleon to produce the rest. The chameleon should be able to move in and out of the UVB which will allow it to regulate it.

I use the Herptivite vitamins twice a month lightly to ensure that the chameleon gets vitamins without overdoing it and because it only has a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A in it I don't have to worry about overdoing the vitamin A. If I felt it was necessary I could give a little prEformed vitamin A separately.

I also gutload and feed my insects a nutritious diet so that the insects will be healthy and the chameleon should get some nutrients it needs too.

Appropriate temperatures will aid in digestion which plays a part in nutrient absorption then.

Hope this helps.

 

[baggedd5087]

How is that schedule working for the chameleon so far? What signs do I look for if mine isn't getting enough UVB, calcium, D3, or vitamins?

Im not to sure i got him 7 days ago so he is still stressed out but everyone on here has told me thats the best schedule to go with my guy is starting to calm down and eat more and more everyday so that must be a good sign

 

[jamncristian]

I have searched and read all I can find on the internet, but I am even more confused now. I just bought a baby panther chameleon from screameleons this week and was going on that same exact supplementation recipe. My chameleon is doing good so far in the 5 days I've had him. He is drinking and eating about 10- 12, 1/4" crickets a day. I've been gut loading with carrots, romaine, and apples. I am really confused now about the supplementation. I have been reading a lot lately on this board about not using Repcal w/D3 too much, nor the multivitamins. I have RepCal w/D3 and just bought Herpivite. If I am not supposed to use that much D3, then should I dust lightly with Repcal without D3 every feeding, and only use the Repcal w/D3 twice a month, alternating weeks? And am I only supposed to use the Hepivite 2 times a month as well? My chameleon will not be getting much natural sunlight until the summer, so I am using a 60 watt basking light and a 5.0 Reptisun UVB bulb which he sits about 4-6" underneath. I have another fixture to house another 5.0 Reptisun bulb - would 2 bulbs be better than 1, or is that too much? Any help is much appreciated!

that one 5.0 will be fine but is suggest putting in a 2.0 in the other hood for the full color spectrum

your chams colors will look alot richer and will light up the tank more

 

[KillerCam]

Here's my reasoning behind supplementing...
Most feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous...so dusting at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder will help to balance this.

I dust twice a month with the Rep-cal calcium with D3 lightly to ensure that the chameleon got some D3 without overdoing it. Exposure to the UVB light should allow the chameleon to produce the rest. The chameleon should be able to move in and out of the UVB which will allow it to regulate it.

I use the Herptivite vitamins twice a month lightly to ensure that the chameleon gets vitamins without overdoing it and because it only has a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A in it I don't have to worry about overdoing the vitamin A. If I felt it was necessary I could give a little prEformed vitamin A separately.

I also gutload and feed my insects a nutritious diet so that the insects will be healthy and the chameleon should get some nutrients it needs too.

Appropriate temperatures will aid in digestion which plays a part in nutrient absorption then.

Hope this helps.

Yes it does, thanks. I'm going to do the same schedule, but dust every other feeding and use the D3 and herptivite 2 a month. I don't feel comfortable dusting every single feeding. I notice that he goes in and out of the UVB bulb to regulate, but I find him hanging under the basking lamp more often. I was thinking about getting the UVA/UVB combo basking light. My normal temps are 75F, and basking is 85-87F, 69F nighttime, and 45% humidity usually.

 

[KillerCam]

that one 5.0 will be fine but is suggest putting in a 2.0 in the other hood for the full color spectrum

your chams colors will look alot richer and will light up the tank more

When you say full color spectrum, do you mean UVB wise? Is the 2.0 more for visual benefits, or does it add different/more usable UVB for the chameleon? Thanks