Some questions from a new beardie owner

Sorry for the semi-repost. I originally put this post:
https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=259699
in the "Introductions" topic. Bit of an all-in-one. I just wanted to break off the questions to the experienced in a more suited topic...

So this is Fred. I'm about 1.5 weeks in with him. I thought I'd both introduce myself and get some first impressions/questions answered, since I want to do this right.

Here's Fred:


And here's his space:

• So, I've got an 18" T8 UVB (Reptisun) on the inside of the screen.
• For the basking light, I have a 125W mercury all-in-one (Exo Terra Solar Glo Sun Simulating Bulb) in a reflective dome above the screen.
• Little hammock on the warm side, food/water on the cooler side.
• Used some non-slip tile with a stone look for the substrate (has a good texture so it's not like glass under his feet)... Thought it would work best for sanitary reasons, and to hold a little extra heat overnight when the lights are out.
• I use an IR heat gun to check temps in spots.

Questions for the beardie-veterans:

1. Does this look adequate?
2. I don't know if I should be concerned... He hasn't been eating a lot. He's been super-friendly and will take the odd cricket from my hand. He'll eat mealworms. Chases and eats crickets when he wants. I see him eat, but I don't know if it's enough. I don't see a lot of signs of stress, but I hear and have read that young beardies should be eating quite a few insects on a daily. I think I can count how many he's been eating on 1-2 hands.
3. Also having a hell of a time getting greens into him. Tried bee pollen, dried flower topping, mealworms to add some movement... Same results. I just stay with it. One time he has taken a small piece of dandelion leaf from me by hand.

Not sure if these are just things that might improve/change over time? I try not to leave crickets in the vivarium for too long, but it seems tedious to put them in and take them out after he eats none of them (again, on occasion he chases down/eats one or two).

Otherwise likes to bask, and sleeps well at night (I keep nighttime temps between 74F-85F). Also dropping in a shallow 85-90F bath every couple days to keep hydrated (I don't really see him drink from his dish, and without the greens, figure the baths are good as I see him drink a bit while he soaks).

I know, I probably sound like a noob (and I am), but I do want to be a good owner, and him a happy pet - so I appreciate and will try to absorb as much knowledge as I can. Thank you all!

Welcome to the forum -- your tank set up sounds good-- do you have the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking decor -- your IR gun is not going to read off the hammock -- you need a digital probe thermometer for that placed where he sits for basking 10 minutes
He is going to go thru relocation stress --- so his eating will be off but he should not quit eating all together ---- Please NO more meal worms-- they can cause impaction in babies --- BSFL are better fed on top of salads first thing in the morning ---- www.symtonbsf.com --- do not dust them and order medium for now --- here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

KarrieRee":hez309zf said:

Welcome to the forum -- your tank set up sounds good-- do you have the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking decor -- your IR gun is not going to read off the hammock -- you need a digital probe thermometer for that placed where he sits for basking 10 minutes
He is going to go thru relocation stress --- so his eating will be off but he should not quit eating all together ---- Please NO more meal worms-- they can cause impaction in babies --- BSFL are better fed on top of salads first thing in the morning ---- http://www.symtonbsf.com --- do not dust them and order medium for now --- here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

Click to expand...

Thank you KarrieRee! Sounds like some great advice... I'm going to better check my temps based on what you said when the lights are back on tomorrow. He seems to prefer basking on that tree-like decor.

As for the eating, I payed closer attention today after I cleaned the vivarium this morning... He seemed to do much better with the food (still wasn't wanting the greens so much, which I'll follow your links on that). I'll also take the advice on the meal worms too - I did not know that about the impaction, as I've heard of some people even making them their primary over crickets.

Once again, thank you for your response/advice - and I'm really looking forward to seeing him grow and bond!