I've owned bearded dragons so i have experience in reptiles, but I'm considering a Chinese water dragon! Are their heating and lighting needs the same as beardies? Are there any needs/requirements that they don't tell you in the pet stores (for example for beardies: don't use sand, don't feed lettuce, etc.)? What kind of substrate should they have? Just any basic tips needed to get me started would be appreciated! I'll most likely get a baby. Thanks
From the questions your are asking, I think you will be over your head with a water dragon. There are other reptiles you may want to consider that will have husbandry requirements similar to the BD.
Uromastyx
Skinks - Blue tongue or fire skink
Steppe Runner Lizards
Somewhat different than the above, but easier to care for than Chinese Water Dragons, consider leopard gecko or crested gecko.
I don't mind having to do the research and learn about them- the care doesn't have to be the same as bearded dragon care. I've just started the research today so yes I have a lot of questions but I wouldn't be getting one for a few months so I have time to learn! Just wanted to see if anybody had insider tips other than what you can find on the web. With having my beardie, I've learned that a lot of times the information on most care sheets is wrong. Just want to make sure I'm getting correct information. I used the bearded dragon forum a LOT when I got mine so I thought I'd do the same now