9 month old bearded dragon

[KF5Mama]

Hello,

We bought a bearded dragon at our Petsmart. We were told he’s around 9 months. I think we may have been given some misinformation. We were told to feed him 3 times a week. I called and spoke to someone else who said to feed him one time a day. Can someone please help? How often should we feed him and how often should we use calcium? At this stage how many crickets should he be eating per feeding? Sorry, I’m just concerned that the information I was given was incorrect and I want to make sure we’re taking care of him properly. Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

 

[xp29]

Thanks so much. Reptisoil can be found at petsmart?

Sometimes. I'm lucky enough to have like 10 Reptile stores near me so I tend to forget sourcing stuff for reptiles can be hard. You can get most stuff mentioned on this forum from Amazon if it isn't available locally.

 

[KarrieRee]

Sometimes. I'm lucky enough to have like 10 Reptile stores near me so I tend to forget sourcing stuff for reptiles can be hard. You can get most stuff mentioned on this forum from Amazon if it isn't available locally.

Reptsiun Zoo Meds are found at PetSmart but it was usually the T 8's -- you want a fixture that holds the T 5 bulb --- Amazon tends to be more spendy that is why I have posted different websites -- Walmart also carries the Zoo Med 24" fixture as well -- Robot or human? what is the basking bulb you are using please?

 

[KF5Mama]

Sometimes. I'm lucky enough to have like 10 Reptile stores near me so I tend to forget sourcing stuff for reptiles can be hard. You can get most stuff mentioned on this forum from Amazon if it isn't available locally.

Okay. I just ordered it from Pet Valu.

 

[IAmAMirage]

I have the exact same hide in my beardies enclosure. He absolutely loves it. For an easy to clean substrate you can also use slate tile. I use a combination of slate and sphagnum moss.

 

[KarrieRee]

Okay. I just ordered it from Pet Valu.

What did you order? And what is the brand and bulb for your basking bulb please?

 

[xp29]

What did you order? And what is the brand and bulb for your basking bulb please?

We had kindda switched gears on ya we were talking about substrate, and getting rid of the crushed walnut.

 

[KF5Mama]

We had kindda switched gears on ya we were talking about substrate, and getting rid of the crushed walnut.

Yes. Thanks. On it. I’ve ordered the reptisoil. Hopefully be here soon and I will switch it out. Not sure of the brand of bulb. Not home right now. Will check. I’ve been given so much misinformation it’s overwhelming.

 

[IAmAMirage]

Yes. Thanks. On it. I’ve ordered the reptisoil. Hopefully be here soon and I will switch it out. Not sure of the brand of bulb. Not home right now. Will check. I’ve been given so much misinformation it’s overwhelming.

Don't worry. You've come to the right place. Everyone here is very dedicated to excellent husbandry and is more than willing to give you all the information you need! Being a new beardie owner myself, this website has been a lifesaver! The people on here are so wonderful! No question is a dumb question! Feel free to ask away! (And share photo's of your little one )

 

[xp29]

Don't worry. You've come to the right place. Everyone here is very dedicated to excellent husbandry and is more than willing to give you all the information you need! Being a new beardie owner myself, this website has been a lifesaver! The people on here are so wonderful! No question is a dumb question! Feel free to ask away! (And share photo's of your little one )

Absolutely

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes. Thanks. On it. I’ve ordered the reptisoil. Hopefully be here soon and I will switch it out. Not sure of the brand of bulb. Not home right now. Will check. I’ve been given so much misinformation it’s overwhelming.

Ok so just post when you get the brand and bulb for your basking- did you order the reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb as well?

 

[xp29]

Yes. Thanks. On it. I’ve ordered the reptisoil. Hopefully be here soon and I will switch it out. Not sure of the brand of bulb. Not home right now. Will check. I’ve been given so much misinformation it’s overwhelming.

It's seems overwhelming at first, but honestly once you have the light right, everything else is pretty easy.
One word of caution though, be diligent about cleaning poops up asap. Some of the parasites they carry naturally can explode out of control if poop is left lingering. Some good cleaners are f10, wipeout(ammonia based), ammonia (ammoniais toxic and has to be rinsed out and aired out to zero fumes), vinegar/water or chlorhexidine (I use this one personally, it is used by vets and zoos and can be had at tractor suppy)

 

[KF5Mama]

Ok so just post when you get the brand and bulb for your basking- did you order the reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb as well?

Reptsiun Zoo Meds are found at PetSmart but it was usually the T 8's -- you want a fixture that holds the T 5 bulb --- Amazon tends to be more spendy that is why I have posted different websites -- Walmart also carries the Zoo Med 24" fixture as well -- Robot or human? what is the basking bulb you are using please?

 

[KF5Mama]

This is the basking light. Should I get the 150 watt? I don’t think it’s strong enough. Just got the temperature gun and it says his basking area is around 90°

 

[xp29]

This is the basking light. Should I get the 150 watt? I don’t think it’s strong enough. Just got the temperature gun and it says his basking area is around 90°

It's better to get the zoomed digital probe thermometers. The ir gun measures the surface you point it at and it isn't accurate on some materials. What you actually need to measure is the temperature of the light, the only really accurate way is with the probe type thermometers.
Babies need 105 to 110, adults need 95 to 100.
It's best if you can give them multiple heights under the basking. They will chose what they need that way. Also if you can set it up so the uvb and the basking overlap each other thats even better.

 

[xp29]

This is the basking light. Should I get the 150 watt? I don’t think it’s strong enough. Just got the temperature gun and it says his basking area is around 90°

Oh to answer your original question. The only way to get basking temp right is trial and error. Use which ever bulb first, put the probe from a digital probe thermometer in the area and give it a few minutes to stabilize. If it's to hot use a lower wattage, if it's to cool use a higher wattage.