First ever Beardie

[Pat26_]

Hey I’m new here just got my first beardie on the 8th of this month (august for later readers) I named him igneel right now he’s in a 20 gal I got him from petsmart based on size I assumed he’s about 2 1/5 months. Any tips for newbies?

 

[KarrieRee]

Hey I’m new here just got my first beardie on the 8th of this month (august for later readers) I named him igneel right now he’s in a 20 gal I got him from petsmart based on size I assumed he’s about 2 1/5 months. Any tips for newbies? View attachment 72803

Yes please go over your UVB your using and your basking temps and how your taking them --- NO stickons please -- if you bought a kit your going to need to do some upgrading and this is extremely important ---- NO coils for a UVB No colored bulbs and no Daytime bulbs for a basking bulb -- we will start there --- the surface basking temps and the UVB are the MOST important things in the tank ---

 

[Pat26_]

Yes please go over your UVB your using and your basking temps and how your taking them --- NO stickons please -- if you bought a kit your going to need to do some upgrading and this is extremely important ---- NO coils for a UVB No colored bulbs and no Daytime bulbs for a basking bulb -- we will start there --- the surface basking temps and the UVB are the MOST important things in the tank ---

I ordered a MVB bulb just waiting on Amazon wouldn’t that cover both UVA & UVB?

 

[Pat26_]

I’m also going to get a digital hygrometer because I was told the analog ones are accurate

 

[KarrieRee]

I ordered a MVB bulb just waiting on Amazon wouldn’t that cover both UVA & UVB?

It will but you will need to get another long tube fixture when going into a bigger tank say a 40 but we recommend a 75-120 ---- what brand did you get? The best ones recommended here are the Mega Ray - or Power Sun -- and for a 20 gallon tank your going to really haft to watch those surface basking temps --- you dont want to burn him up - please get two digital probe thermometers for accurate basking temps --- MVB's are ok but your better off w/ a long tube fixture - the rays will get weaker w/ the distance of the bulb so its you need the surface temps to be there but may loose out on the UVB rays that is why we always recommend the long tube fixture as well -- your better off w/ just a regular solid clear bright white basking bulb and the long tube fixture UVB--- I can post some links for good ones if you like -- what wattage did you order for the MVB ?

 

[xp29]

You lookin at me bub!!! Your dragon is adorable. I love the lic of him standing up!

 

[xp29]

You won't find better advise on lighting than Karrieree, please take it to heart. By far most issues these little guys have can be traced right back to improper lighting.
With babies they need to be fed 2 to 3 times per day as much as they will eat in about 15 minutes. Dust their food 1 time per day every day with calcium, use a multivitamin a couple timrs per week. I recommend feeding in a separate container (a clear plastic tote works well). This is because most feeders will bite your beardie if they are left in it's habitat.
Try to get him started on greens aslo, if they start young uts gonna save lots of headaches later.
If there is ANYTHING you need to know or are curious about don't hesitate to ask. Much better to ask than to guess.
Oh and welcome to the forum!

 

[focussport]

So beautiful beardie! I'm a newbie too, welcome

 

[Pat26_]

You won't find better advise on lighting than Karrieree, please take it to heart. By far most issues these little guys have can be traced right back to improper lighting.
With babies they need to be fed 2 to 3 times per day as much as they will eat in about 15 minutes. Dust their food 1 time per day every day with calcium, use a multivitamin a couple timrs per week. I recommend feeding in a separate container (a clear plastic tote works well). This is because most feeders will bite your beardie if they are left in it's habitat.
Try to get him started on greens aslo, if they start young uts gonna save lots of headaches later.
If there is ANYTHING you need to know or are curious about don't hesitate to ask. Much better to ask than to guess.
Oh and welcome to the forum!

noted I took the crickets out I need to order a stand for the light fixture so the distance is proper

 

[KarrieRee]

noted I took the crickets out I need to order a stand for the light fixture so the distance is proper

You can find them at PetSmart

 

[Pat26_]

It will but you will need to get another long tube fixture when going into a bigger tank say a 40 but we recommend a 75-120 ---- what brand did you get? The best ones recommended here are the Mega Ray - or Power Sun -- and for a 20 gallon tank your going to really haft to watch those surface basking temps --- you dont want to burn him up - please get two digital probe thermometers for accurate basking temps --- MVB's are ok but your better off w/ a long tube fixture - the rays will get weaker w/ the distance of the bulb so its you need the surface temps to be there but may loose out on the UVB rays that is why we always recommend the long tube fixture as well -- your better off w/ just a regular solid clear bright white basking bulb and the long tube fixture UVB--- I can post some links for good ones if you like -- what wattage did you order for the MVB ?

100W MVB bulb the brand is MIXJOY I would love any recommendations on the tube fixtures

 

[KarrieRee]

100W MVB bulb the brand is MIXJOY I would love any recommendations on the tube fixtures

Ok I will post links tomorrow - I have never heard of the mvb-- if it's a Chinese made please get rid of it- the mega ray or power sun are the better mvb's

 

[Pat26_]

Any recommendations on lowering humidity at night? He’s in my room and I have an ac unit but I have it set to 76-80.

 

[Pat26_]

You won't find better advise on lighting than Karrieree, please take it to heart. By far most issues these little guys have can be traced right back to improper lighting.
With babies they need to be fed 2 to 3 times per day as much as they will eat in about 15 minutes. Dust their food 1 time per day every day with calcium, use a multivitamin a couple timrs per week. I recommend feeding in a separate container (a clear plastic tote works well). This is because most feeders will bite your beardie if they are left in it's habitat.
Try to get him started on greens aslo, if they start young uts gonna save lots of headaches later.
If there is ANYTHING you need to know or are curious about don't hesitate to ask. Much better to ask than to guess.
Oh and welcome to the forum!

Oh yea and meant to say he loves kale just got the calcium powder going to do it tomorrow with His crickets

 

[KarrieRee]

Any recommendations on lowering humidity at night? He’s in my room and I have an ac unit but I have it set to 76-80.

What is the humidity in the tank? Please get a digital probe hygrometer- place on the back center wall of the tank - optimal humidity is 40-50% nothing under 20 and over 70%
For your 20 gallon tank the best UVB is this one it will come w/a 5.0 bulb so you can use that on it till he goes to a bigger tank then you would need to change out the bulb I will post both of what you need a 24" fixture Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood
22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
2 of these Zoo Med Digital Thermometer

Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer | Dubia.com

Use the Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer to track the humidity levels in your reptile or amphibian terrarium, available here at Dubia.com!

dubiaroaches.com

Nutrition Content its great he love kale that is a good staple feeder
when you get the UVB please post on here and I will help you set it up - the 5.0 bulb will need to be so its unobstructed from the screen - so I will help you get it placed on the tank