Hi everybody. c: I just got my very first beardie (and first reptile!) this past Saturday. His name is Majora, he is about 7 inches long and I'm assuming he is a he for now, but I really can't tell yet. I just want people with more experience to take a look at how I'm caring for him and advise me on any changes I need to make. Sorry in advance for the long post. Lol
I got the Zoo Med 20L beardie starter kit, which I know is not the absolute best. I planned on getting the rest of the stuff I would need the next day, but we had sort of a financial issue and I won't be able to pick up more stuff until tomorrow when I get paid. This is what the kit contains:
http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/E...iS2V5d29yZHMiO3M6MTI6InJlcHRpaGFiaXRhdCI7fQ==
However instead of the combo lamp mine came with a single lamp and just the basking bulb. It also came with an under tank heater, which I have stuck to the side of the tank on the hot side. I also got him a basking log and a plant.
The things I know I need to get are a digital thermometer or temp gun, and a different substrate (I hate the sand anyway... it's stained him orange. awful stuff). I plan on switching to tile this weekend. But if you can recommend anything else I should pick up, please do. I know the type of UVB bulb that's included with the kit isn't the best either, but once he's gotten over his relocation stress I plan on taking him outside with me for short periods every day, so do I still need to get the tube-type fixture? When I move him into a bigger tank he'll definitely get one, but I was wondering if it's imperative to get it now.
I have been feeding him greens every day but right now he'll only eat green beans out of everything I've tried. So I've just been giving him those, with the Zoo Med juvenile beardie pellets mixed in, and he's been eating them fairly well. He also gets around 20 calcium dusted crickets at night. I have been giving him mealworms as a treat, and he LOVES them. I just put a few on top of his greens if he hasn't been eating them and he ends up eating most of his salad along with them.
As for temps, the kit only came with the stick-on thermometer but I will be getting a digital one with a probe or a temp gun tomorrow. The thermometer has been reading between 95 and 100 on the hot side, and there isn't one on the cool side. I'm glad I'm going to be able to accurately measure the temps because it's been worrying me a lot.
He is very active and seems healthy (eating and pooping regularly, etc) but his beard is still very dark and his belly has stress marks. How long does it really take them to settle in? I've had him for four days now. I'd like to be able to bathe him and take him outside with me, but I also want him to get used to his new home and get over the relocation stress first. When do you recommend I start handling him?
And one more question - when will it be time to move him into a bigger tank? Is there a certain size they reach? I plan on moving him into at least a 40 breeder, is this big enough?
So please give me any tips or advice you can think of. Majora and I would really appreciate it!
I got the Zoo Med 20L beardie starter kit, which I know is not the absolute best. I planned on getting the rest of the stuff I would need the next day, but we had sort of a financial issue and I won't be able to pick up more stuff until tomorrow when I get paid. This is what the kit contains:
http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/E...iS2V5d29yZHMiO3M6MTI6InJlcHRpaGFiaXRhdCI7fQ==
However instead of the combo lamp mine came with a single lamp and just the basking bulb. It also came with an under tank heater, which I have stuck to the side of the tank on the hot side. I also got him a basking log and a plant.
The things I know I need to get are a digital thermometer or temp gun, and a different substrate (I hate the sand anyway... it's stained him orange. awful stuff). I plan on switching to tile this weekend. But if you can recommend anything else I should pick up, please do. I know the type of UVB bulb that's included with the kit isn't the best either, but once he's gotten over his relocation stress I plan on taking him outside with me for short periods every day, so do I still need to get the tube-type fixture? When I move him into a bigger tank he'll definitely get one, but I was wondering if it's imperative to get it now.
I have been feeding him greens every day but right now he'll only eat green beans out of everything I've tried. So I've just been giving him those, with the Zoo Med juvenile beardie pellets mixed in, and he's been eating them fairly well. He also gets around 20 calcium dusted crickets at night. I have been giving him mealworms as a treat, and he LOVES them. I just put a few on top of his greens if he hasn't been eating them and he ends up eating most of his salad along with them.
As for temps, the kit only came with the stick-on thermometer but I will be getting a digital one with a probe or a temp gun tomorrow. The thermometer has been reading between 95 and 100 on the hot side, and there isn't one on the cool side. I'm glad I'm going to be able to accurately measure the temps because it's been worrying me a lot.
He is very active and seems healthy (eating and pooping regularly, etc) but his beard is still very dark and his belly has stress marks. How long does it really take them to settle in? I've had him for four days now. I'd like to be able to bathe him and take him outside with me, but I also want him to get used to his new home and get over the relocation stress first. When do you recommend I start handling him?
And one more question - when will it be time to move him into a bigger tank? Is there a certain size they reach? I plan on moving him into at least a 40 breeder, is this big enough?
So please give me any tips or advice you can think of. Majora and I would really appreciate it!
I'm annoyed I bought that setup now because after finding this site, I realize it is pretty much a waste of money. I'm getting the reptisun 10 and a fixure to mount inside asap (this week) and having my husband build him a 4'x2'x2' enclosure so I guess this tank will become a cricket house or something lol. Right now I'm using paper towls for a substrate but I'm going to use lino or tiles once my husband makes him his new house. (the paper towels are so easy since you just change them once a day or so) So frustrtating that the pet stores sell the wrong stuff for them.
