Firsttimebeardiemom
Member
So I know there are things I need to change in my beardie's tank. I have had my baby for about 4 days now. Right now he/she is in a 20 gallon, I'll be getting a 40 gallon breeder tank in a few weeks just have to pay off a couple bills first. I would say he/she is about 8 inches so I figure a couple more weeks in the 20gallon shouldn't negatively affect him/her.
The lighting is all jacked up, lights came with tank. I have a basking light at one end. It came with a 100watt bulb. I read that could be too hot so when I get paid I'm buying a 50watt or 75watt bulb instead. Right now the only temp readers in the tank are stick on ones on both sides of the tank. I know now that's not a accurate reading. What temp reader would you all recommend I buy? Right now the cool end reads 80 to 85 and the basking end reads 90 to 95 but that's with the stick on ones like I said. Now his uvb light is the reptisun 5.0 compact. Which I know is all wrong. So I just ordered the reptisun 10.0 T5 22inch one. The reason I picked this one instead of the T8 is because I plan on having the light outside of cage on the screen. I read the T8 isn't good for being on the screen. So would it be okay to use the T5 with my 20 gallon or should I just wait and start using it when I get the 40 gallon?
The flooring in the tank is desert looking carpet. Doesn't seem to be a problem with that. There is a rock for him/her to climb on and hide in. Then he/she just has their water and food dish. I keep a very shallow water dish just incase he/she ever feels inclined to drink or bathe in it.
Now my baby is doing really good I think. The first day he/she only ate 9 crickets. I chalked that up to relocation stress. Second day was a little better at 15. Third day was a big jump to 25 and today was 30 crickets. He/she is feed in a separate container two times a day. Then I leave veggies in his/her dish all day and replace it with fresh every morning. He/she will eat a piece of veggie or two if I take it out of the dish and put it in front of his/her feet.
He/she also started shedding today.
Anyway there is my long post. What kind of things would you recommend for the tank? This one and the future 40 gallon.
The lighting is all jacked up, lights came with tank. I have a basking light at one end. It came with a 100watt bulb. I read that could be too hot so when I get paid I'm buying a 50watt or 75watt bulb instead. Right now the only temp readers in the tank are stick on ones on both sides of the tank. I know now that's not a accurate reading. What temp reader would you all recommend I buy? Right now the cool end reads 80 to 85 and the basking end reads 90 to 95 but that's with the stick on ones like I said. Now his uvb light is the reptisun 5.0 compact. Which I know is all wrong. So I just ordered the reptisun 10.0 T5 22inch one. The reason I picked this one instead of the T8 is because I plan on having the light outside of cage on the screen. I read the T8 isn't good for being on the screen. So would it be okay to use the T5 with my 20 gallon or should I just wait and start using it when I get the 40 gallon?
The flooring in the tank is desert looking carpet. Doesn't seem to be a problem with that. There is a rock for him/her to climb on and hide in. Then he/she just has their water and food dish. I keep a very shallow water dish just incase he/she ever feels inclined to drink or bathe in it.
Now my baby is doing really good I think. The first day he/she only ate 9 crickets. I chalked that up to relocation stress. Second day was a little better at 15. Third day was a big jump to 25 and today was 30 crickets. He/she is feed in a separate container two times a day. Then I leave veggies in his/her dish all day and replace it with fresh every morning. He/she will eat a piece of veggie or two if I take it out of the dish and put it in front of his/her feet.
He/she also started shedding today.
Anyway there is my long post. What kind of things would you recommend for the tank? This one and the future 40 gallon.
You can use the new t5 bulb as soon as you get it, even on the 20 gal. The 100 watt bulb is fine as long as your house isn't hot which would raise the temps. It's good to upgrade but no need to feel ashamed having a 20 gal., those are fine right up until the dragon is 12-13". For cage decor you can collect driftwood or other nice branches/logs that can fit in your oven. Preheat it to 250 and put the wood in for 60-90 minutes depending on how thick the wood is. You can also get some nice rocks from outside , wash with hot soapy water and rinse well with hot water. 
