Hi all,

I would like some advice. I have had a red eared slider for about 8 years now. At the time that I bought him (impulse purchase I admit) I did online research into his care, and based on what I read at that time, I concluded that it was ok to omit full spectrum UVB/A fluorescent lighting IF I supplied the ReptoCal supplement with his food, which contains both Calcium and Vitamin D3. So, while he has a basking light, he has never full spectrum fluorescents. I had a friend tell me that I was wrong about this and that it was only a matter of time until my turtle developed softshell. So I am asking for advice. He has never had any signs of poor health or softshell in his 8 years that I can tell, but if I am dooming him to a short life I certainly want to remedy the situation.

So, is supplementation with ReptoCal sufficient for preventing metabolic bone disease or is UVB an absolute necessity also?

Thanks!

UVA/UVB is absolutely necessary . You cannot even come close to duplicateing the uva/uvb from the sun with a lightbulb and have little to no chance with a supplement.