D3 supplementation if using UVB? New keeper introduction!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2023 9:58 am
Hello everyone! I’m brand new to the forum and preparing for my first northern bts to arrive next week. He/she is three months old and from a breeder in California. My terrarium is up and running perfectly, but I still had a few questions after all of my research. I am hoping the experienced keepers here can help me provide the best possible husbandry 
For UVB, I am using: “Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 HO T5 UVB Lamp, 22" L, 24 Watts,” placed 11” above the basking area.
When I used a UVB sensor card under the light at the basking height, it turned the lightest purple (“low” 0-50 uw/cm)
1 - Is this amount of UVB sufficient for optimal health? I was reading conflicting information about if they even “need” UVB, vs using a T5 or T10. I would really like to provide whatever is the healthiest/best option for my BTS. I’d love thoughts on if my T5 is correct, or if I should get a T10!
2 - I plan to provide a lot of variety in the diet. For meals that would not be dog/cat food or bluey buffet, should I add calcium WITH or WITHOUT D3 because I am using UVB? I could not find good info on this online.
3 - Do I need to drop the temps at night? I live in Florida, so at night my house is never below 73/74 F. I have ball pythons and other reptiles that I never touch their temps, so turning the bts’ heat off at night makes me nervous lol. Should I turn the thermostat down so there is a small night drop? Do they need a nighttime temp drop to stay healthy? What temp should I drop them to?
3 - I’d appreciate some assurance my parameters are ok. I am using Arcadia deep heat projectors as a preference due to the potential fire hazard of other bulbs... I have used Arcadia dhp for years with my snakes and personally love them.
Warm side air temp: 85 F
Cool side air temp: 78-80 F
Basing surface temp taken with gun: 101-105 F
I am using forest floor (cypress mulch) substrate and the humidity has been 45-57% based on cool/warm side and time of day consistently for the last 2 days.
When I have my baby, I will happily post some pics of them in their set up. This forum has been a life saver for finding all the info I needed to get my set up going. Thank you all for any input you have for me! I’m happy to take in any knowledge you can provide!
-Nicole
PS, I am a husbandry freak so any special tips for best possible care are more than welcome!
For UVB, I am using: “Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 HO T5 UVB Lamp, 22" L, 24 Watts,” placed 11” above the basking area.
When I used a UVB sensor card under the light at the basking height, it turned the lightest purple (“low” 0-50 uw/cm)
1 - Is this amount of UVB sufficient for optimal health? I was reading conflicting information about if they even “need” UVB, vs using a T5 or T10. I would really like to provide whatever is the healthiest/best option for my BTS. I’d love thoughts on if my T5 is correct, or if I should get a T10!
2 - I plan to provide a lot of variety in the diet. For meals that would not be dog/cat food or bluey buffet, should I add calcium WITH or WITHOUT D3 because I am using UVB? I could not find good info on this online.
3 - Do I need to drop the temps at night? I live in Florida, so at night my house is never below 73/74 F. I have ball pythons and other reptiles that I never touch their temps, so turning the bts’ heat off at night makes me nervous lol. Should I turn the thermostat down so there is a small night drop? Do they need a nighttime temp drop to stay healthy? What temp should I drop them to?
3 - I’d appreciate some assurance my parameters are ok. I am using Arcadia deep heat projectors as a preference due to the potential fire hazard of other bulbs... I have used Arcadia dhp for years with my snakes and personally love them.
Warm side air temp: 85 F
Cool side air temp: 78-80 F
Basing surface temp taken with gun: 101-105 F
I am using forest floor (cypress mulch) substrate and the humidity has been 45-57% based on cool/warm side and time of day consistently for the last 2 days.
When I have my baby, I will happily post some pics of them in their set up. This forum has been a life saver for finding all the info I needed to get my set up going. Thank you all for any input you have for me! I’m happy to take in any knowledge you can provide!
-Nicole
PS, I am a husbandry freak so any special tips for best possible care are more than welcome!