About to get a Beardie

[MattK504]

Hey all,
So I've been thinking about a getting a bearded dragon for a while now and I'm just about ready to get the little guy. I've been doing extensive research about them and I think I have a pretty good understanding of what they need, but I just wanted to get some advice from some people with experience about the equipment I have/ will order, what else I may need, and a few questions regarding habitats and care.

My questions for you are any advice you have in terms of timers to use and recommended thermometer/hygrometers. Should I move the baby beardie into the 40 breeder right away, or use the 20 (it's not a 20 long) until it's a bit bigger? I've read some places that 40 breeders are too big for young dragons as it is difficult for them to catch their prey. I could also use a 10 or 20 just for feedings. Also, would an 18in repti-sun 10.0 be large enough for the 40 breeder? I will most likely cut an opening in the screen to prevent the UVB from being blocked and make sure the beardie can get close enough to the bulb.

I think that about covers everything for now. Any other advice you have to give is more than welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Claudiusx]

I would go ahead and start off with the 40g. I never feed babies inside their tanks anyways.
You ideally want the uvb to span 3/4ths of the tank or so, even a 24in reptisun would be better.

Make sure you get yourself an accurate thermometer and get your temperatures setup before you purchase your little guy/gal.

-Brandon

 

[Kilana]

For my lights I use a manual dial timer I bought from Walmart for around $10 or so. It's just like this one, except the plug is on the back, not on the side with the dial. It has two outlets, it's made by Brinks. It's easy to use, you just press down buttons around the dial for the duration you want the lights on, spin the dial to the current time, and plug it in. Voila! The buttons work in increments of 30 minutes.

I don't have a hygrometer yet, but it's not very humid where I live quite yet and I'm in the basement which actually isn't damp. I also don't keep a water bowl in his tank or mist him in the tank which helps. I just give him regular baths. But for temperature, I use digital temperature probes on both warm and cool sides and an infrared temperature gun for spot checking. The probe never stays on his basking spot so I gave up and use the infrared to check periodically. I mostly just use it to monitor the air temperature now.

Some people suggest an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with a hygrometer built in since then it has two probes and hygrometer, and I hear they're not terribly expensive, but I haven't checked myself since I had already bought the two digital thermometers I use.