Recent content by Mildew

If you want something natural, than bioactive is a good choice :). I personally use a top soil/ play sand mixture, about 6-10 inches deep with some leaf litter on top. Particulate substrate is only really a problem when the BD is dehydrated or has slowed gut movements (excluding calci-sand)...

I use halogens as well. I find the PAR38s the best diameter as it throws out a wide angle and gives a good basking gradient.

It is a rather large enclosure, and yes they do have reflectors. I can't see any visible flickering, but they were cheap fixtures so it's a possibility (my other one broke, and these were on sale for an amazing price). This summer we'll be building him another enclosure which is taller and I'll...

They are the T8 bulbs. Unfortunately the fixture only allows for wall mounting, but I could probably rig something up where it hangs in the middle. He would probably still jump up to get it, but at least he hopefully wouldn't be able to stand there and keep pawing at it. I don't quite...

Just wondering why Barf is attacking his UVB tube light? He has three different UVB Lamps in his enclosure, but for some reason he keeps jumping up and clawing at one of the bulbs. It's always the same one. I had to remove the platform underneath so he couldn't reach it as I was worried he would...

Sorry so late tater, life is crazy :). Here's a few photos of Barf's setup. A taller one with front opening doors is in the making, as this one is just a quick slap together one. There's a tube light along the back, but I'm waiting on a tube that's taking forever to come in :).

The main causes of respiratory issues from what I've been able to dig up is when the enclosure is either too hot and dry, or too humid and cool for an extended period of time. This is why large humidity and temperature gradients are useful as the beardie can then choose the temp and humidity it...

I currently don't have any dubia's in there as they can climb the walls of the enclosure and out the vent. Once the new one is built I'll be able to throw some in there. At the moment I have some superworms, darkling beetles, woodlice, spingtails, and soil mites. If you do dig the soil from...

Most people use plain topsoil mixed with playsand (70% soil, 30% sand is a good place to start). You can also dig some up from outside (by river creeks is the best) if you are sure it is free of pesticides or harmful chemicals. You want the sand/ soil to be moist, but not wet. It should clump...

Taterbug, I'll try to snap some photos this evening :). His enclosure is 5 x 3 x 2.5 (ish) sealed wooden box with inside mounted lights. He has humidity gradients from 95%-30%, and temp ranges from 78F ambient to 160F surface. He is extremely active and spends most of the day digging, running...

I also agree that you should offer a basking temperature gradient, then let the dragon decide which temperature he wants to bask at. My guy happily uses his 150F basking spot and seems to prefer it over the other options. The number may seem high, but if you take your temp gun outside on a...

Impaction is only really an issue when the animal is dehydrated or underheated. A dragon which is offered plenty of temperature and humidity gradients will have no problem passing natural substrate particles. I personally use bio active sand/ soil mixtures for all my reptiles with great results.

That's a great idea! Plus I can re-use it for storage later :). Thank you.

I need to make some significant modifications to Barf's enclosure and need to find somewhere to put him for a few weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do with him for those few weeks while I fix some things up in his home?

Barf seems to be settling in nicely and is turning into such a sweetie :). Had a nice yummy meal today with parsley, carrots, cilantro, blueberries, and raspberries. Don't mind the dirtiness- he just came out of his burrow and needs a bath :D . I love having a lizard I can interact with and...