My New Beardie

[helfrichmike]

Ok so I am slightly worried my dragon appears to be sitting in the basking area all day and night. It wakes up there and sleeps there and doesn't really seem like it wants to move. I have seen it eat vegi's once in the 4 days that I have had it and the only time it ate crickets was the first day I had it. I want to know if this is from shock or something else. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also someone told me to move my UVB bulb next to my basking light so I did that although I hear that I should get the ReptiSUN 5.0 or ReptiSUN 10.0. I am currently using the Zilla enclosure and it came with a 50 UVB T8 Fluorescent Bulb 7% 18'. I am currently using a 55 gallon tank as-well.

 

[munchkins9802]

Good size tank. What substrate is the lizard on (what do you have on the bottom of the cage?)
The Zilla light isnt really any good. Get the repti sun 10.0 from petmountain.com.
How old is he/she?
Do you supplement feeders with calcium?
If you only had a few days , it could be relocation stress
Are the crickets, NO BIGGER than the space between the eyes?
How are you taking temps?
What is the basking spot temp? The cool side temP?
what are you feeding for its greens?

 

[helfrichmike]

How old is he/she? Well I got it a few days ago from PetCo. It appears to be a juvi but it cannot be sexed yet.
Do you supplement feeders with calcium? I coated the crickets with the bearded dragon calcium plus.
If you only had a few days , it could be relocation stress. It may be that but I don't want it to starve.
Are the crickets, NO BIGGER than the space between the eyes? Yes they are no bigger than the space between the eyes. He ate about 5-6 the first day.
How are you taking temps? A Zilla Digital thermometer with probe.
What is the basking spot temp? The cool side temp? Basking is 100 F. Cool side is 82 F.
What are you feeding for its greens? Spring Mix salad.

Also it is on part Calci sand and part reptile carpet. I am aware now that the sand could be a problem but my lizard hasn't really eaten any of the sand and I ordered a 55 gallon of repticarpet that should be here on Wednesday.

 

[TASTIGER]

other than the UVB light it sounds like your doing everything right im sure its just relocoation stress. dont worry about them not eatting when they get hungry enough they will eat. just make sure you offer food everyday

 

[helfrichmike]

That's the right side of the tank. I was told to put the UVB right next to the lamp.

 

[TASTIGER]

if you can lay it lengthwise on the screen to get more of the light on her that world be great

 

[helfrichmike]

So should I get a ReptiSUN 5.0 or 10.0? I am not sure if petsmart or petco carry the 10.0.

 

[TASTIGER]

get the reptisun 10 thats what i personaly use i would suggest buying it online its cheaper try petmountin.com or reptilesupply.com

 

[ajkry2]

reptisun 10.0 puts out the right uvb for beardies as the above poster said it can be found at petmountain.com

as far as veggies go -- spring salad mix may not be up to par. check out http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html for a trusted list of veg/live feeders

 

[helfrichmike]

Well I would prefer to get the bulb today and possibly a better enclosure for the bulb so that way the lizard doesn't miss out on the uvb rays. So should I put any sort of light on the left side of my tank?

 

[ajkry2]

no light necessary. maybe to keep the temp up, or to keep it lit up. its up to you. they can survive without uvb for quite a while...

i say turn that zilla off until you get the reptisun. when i turned my reptiglo off to wait for my reptisun to arrive i saw instant improvement in color, attitude, movement and appitite. so my suggestion is turn it off until you get a proper uv.

i made the same mistake -- so you're not alone

 

[helfrichmike]

Well if I order it online I could probably get a larger enclosure as-well. What size would you recommend for a standard 55 gallon?

 

[helfrichmike]

Sorry to double post but it appears as though my beardie is shedding. Could this be the reason for the loss of appetite and constant basking?

 

[ajkry2]

Well if I order it online I could probably get a larger enclosure as-well. What size would you recommend for a standard 55 gallon?

2/3 of the length

Sorry to double post but it appears as though my beardie is shedding. Could this be the reason for the loss of appetite and constant basking?

could be... make sure to bathe frequently during sheds

 

[helfrichmike]

Well what do you know I got rid of the Zilla UVB and about an hour or 2 later the lizard came down from the basking spot to eat some mealworms and spring mix. It then decided to take a bath in it's drinking water.