If I use a uv/heat light bulb for my beaded dragon will it provide enough vitamin d3?

Answer 1

Only Mercury vapor bulbs, around $50.00, are the only lights that give off both heat and UVB. Otherwise you can use a regular household lightbulb in a dome reflector and a separate UVB long flourescent bulb. Change it every 6 months to insure potency. Details:

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/GeneralCare.html
http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDcare.html#Anchor-Lighting-44867

Answer 2

Using it is a good start, but it doesn't guarantee he'll be healthy.

It needs to be at a distance where he can get inches away from the bulb - if it's too far away, it doesn't do him any good.

There can't be any glass or plastic between it and your dragon - these absorb the UVB.

He needs to get under the lamp for it to be useful - if there are other heat sources in the tank and he spends most of his time at those, it won't benefit him.

You need to change the bulb/tube at least every nine months - a year, even if the light itself doesn't burn out. The UVB decreases faster than the visible rays, so don't assume that the UVB is being produced just because you see light.

Once you make sure that all these are addressed, you'll get the most benefit from using the light. It still doesn't hurt to provide some calcium and multivitimins in the diet, either, just watch that you don't overdo them.

Answer 3

to answer your question, yes! it should if its the right strength. i use a 10.0 for my water dragon just to make sure. make sure that when you get the calcium powder, dont get the kind with the D3. this will overdose the dragon. but, make sure, if you use cacium made for humans, its pure calcium with no fillers or additives. hope this helped :)