Advice on food supplements and UVB for a bearded dragon

[Elio]

Hello everyone,
my bearded dragon Merid had some issues with his eyes a week ago. I managed to help him and he is now healthy, eats and is active.
Now some people told me this problem could be a result because of the new light (Solar Glo) that I installed, which I removed the same day that I was informed about it causing eye issues. I only have one light socket (the other one broke) so I am currently unable to use two lamps. And I wasn't able to find any in stores for a long time, ordering them wasn't an option back then, but it is now.

Important to keep in mind
• I was unable to order anything online for a long time.
• all of the pet stores (in three different cities + mine) decided to stop seeling anything for reptiles a year or two ago.
• I've had Merid for 8 years.
• his terrarium does NOT have a mesh top, but a full wooden ceeling.

What I wan't to ask
1. I need your advice on which lights I should get, which UVBs are good, what to avoid (brands or products) since I don't want Merid to only survive, I want him to thrive in his enclosure. I also need some light sockets reccomendations!
2. Vitamins and feeding supplements, any reccomendations? I used to give him powder calcium and vitamins from a pet store, but he didn't have any in a long time since they also ran out of it in stores.
3. Decoration, I use drift wood and some wooden planks for hamsters that he can climb on and bask on them (the ones that you can bend and make a bridge out of it) he also has a cave which he doesn't use, even tho he can fit in it. There are NO fake plants in his enclosure. Since he had an eye issue and was blind for three solid days, I took out all decorations exept bridge thing. Wood is hard to clean, so I would also be thankful if any of you know good decorations that he could use for climbing or hiding

And lastly, should I buy a new terrarium that's not wooden and has a mesh top. If yes, are exo terras terrariums good for them? They are one of the things that the pet stores are still selling for reptiles, plus some heat lamps that do not have UVB.

Sorry if I made some typos or grammar mistakes.

 

[Sue E.]

Here is what I use:
The hood (pic 2) is the zoomed reptisun t5 24" terrarium hood. It fits either a zoomed t5 10.0 high output tube bulb or an Arcadia 12% tube. The tubes that fit are 22". These are the most reliable brands that are out there. They are made in Germany but available at Petsmart, Chewy.com, and online.
The zoomed tube bulb (pic 1), or Arcadia 12% (not pictured, I dont use that one but its very good) is what you need instead of a coil or other bulb for uvb.
The basking bulb for uva and heat (pic 3) must be a bright white one. I think a Flukers bright white basking bulb or Exoterra bright white basking bulb are also good. I use the zoomed reptisun 150 watt for my 4x2x2 (120 gallon) tank. Some people have issues with this bulb blowing out early but I have never had a problem. I use a zoomed deep dome fixture for it. The fixture(lamp) that the bulb goes in must be ceramic, not plastic, and it must be rated for 150 watts or above, or the bulb WILL blow. It will say on the inside of the fixture what wattage it is rated for.
The last pics (4 and 5) are some ideas of basking pieces. The resin tree is a big favorite of many beardies..mine loves his! It is available at pet smart or maybe online (no specific brand, just google "resin tree" and see what comes up maybe?)
I since went bioactive with my tank but I had put in his favorite resin tree to make him happy lol.
Good luck to you and your beardie! There are as many different decor pieces as there are keepers. If you use logs from outdoors @xp29, @Claudiusx or @AHBD can tell you how to sterilize them before using. Dont use pine or fir (toxic to beardies)
The one supplement that is necessary and not optional is calcium (powder or liquid, powder is easier I think) I use Fluker's Repticalcium. You need to dust all your bugs and worms (put them in a plastic container or baggie with just a pinch of calcium powder and shake). Beardies have to have calcium to make Vitamin D for digesting their food and to prevent MBD (crippling bone disease). The only bugs/worms that you dont have to dust with calcium powder are hornworms and black solider fly larva (also known as calciworms or phoenix worms).
If you have a wooden top @xp29 can tell you how to mount your uvb tube and basking bulbs inside. I have a mesh top so cant help you there.
Mesh top terrariums...many different brands out there, we all use different ones. You want one that is front opening if possible and 4x2x2 (120 gallons) for the optimal size.
Hope that helps!

 

[xp29]

@Sue E. had really goodc advice.
I'm assuming you aren't in America, so I don't know what is available where you live. She was absolutely right about the need for calcium. If it isn't available where you live, look for human calcium tablets. Crush them into a very fine powder and use that as a replacement. (Calcium is calcium, it does not have to be reptile branded)
The same goes for the uvb light fixture. If you can find any brand uvb tube bulb, you can use any fixture that bulb will fit into. I does need to have a reflector in it to direct the light down to your beardie. Most fixture come with either hardware or instructions for mounting. Even uf it doesn't you can drill a couple holes in the top and use wire or zip ties to hold it in place. The heat fromnthe light will make zip ties brittle so use the biggest ones you can and check them often if you go that route.
To sanitize wood bake it in the oven at around 200 degrees for a couple hours. It needs to be in the oven long enough to heat it to the center.
As for vitamins if the reptile specific vitamins aren't available, give him a good variety of food. Different types of green, squashes, etcetera. Also offer variety in insects. If you have trouble finding various foods, you could offer baby food as a substitute. Make sure it is unsweetened. Stuff like pea, carrot, green bean, sweet potato, squash, etcetera.

 

[Elio]

Thank you lots! I checked the bulbs that @Sue E. recommended, but the lamp + its mount wpuld coat me more than 200 euros (similar to dollars) plus shipping. That is not a lot for someone who has a job, but I am a student who can't currently work. I will try to look for the alternative, I used to use some exo terra tube lamps, and the calcium I can order online so it's no issue
Thank you once more!

 

[xp29]

Thank you lots! I checked the bulbs that @Sue E. recommended, but the lamp + its mount wpuld coat me more than 200 euros (similar to dollars) plus shipping. That is not a lot for someone who has a job, but I am a student who can't currently work. I will try to look for the alternative, I used to use some exo terra tube lamps, and the calcium I can order online so it's no issue
Thank you once more!

Your very welcome

 

[Sue E.]

You're welcome!

 

[Elio]

Your very welcome

Update, bought him calcium powder and vitamins, they restocked in one of the stores that are an about hour ride away from me. The same store had UVB tubes. Only Exo Terra ones though. Something like desert light 150, T8, 18w, both UVB and UVA. I read they need to be close to the basking spot since T8 don't shine as good as T5. The tube is long but I am currently in a car (can't check) so not sure how long. It's one of the longer ones. They're the ones I used to use years ago and we had no issues with them, I hope they're decent still. Thank you for your help once more.

 

[KarrieRee]

Update, bought him calcium powder and vitamins, they restocked in one of the stores that are an about hour ride away from me. The same store had UVB tubes. Only Exo Terra ones though. Something like desert light 150, T8, 18w, both UVB and UVA. I read they need to be close to the basking spot since T8 don't shine as good as T5. The tube is long but I am currently in a car (can't check) so not sure how long. It's one of the longer ones. They're the ones I used to use years ago and we had no issues with them, I hope they're decent still. Thank you for your help once more.

If your using a T 8 it needs to be in the tank w/ NO screen in between it and no cover over the fixture - 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor piece changed out in 5 months - you can find good UVB bulbs on line and ordered from there I can help you w/ websites if you need them --

 

[Elio]

If your using a T 8 it needs to be in the tank w/ NO screen in between it and no cover over the fixture - 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor piece changed out in 5 months - you can find good UVB bulbs on line and ordered from there I can help you w/ websites if you need them --

Websites would help. Thank you! I'm from Europe and a student with no money income so I sadly can't order some products due to the shipping prices. Also that is how I planned to install it if I understand you correctly. I will do more research online before doing so just to be safe.

 

[KarrieRee]

Websites would help. Thank you! I'm from Europe and a student with no money income so I sadly can't order some products due to the shipping prices. Also that is how I planned to install it if I understand you correctly. I will do more research online before doing so just to be safe.

Arcadia Pro T5 UVB Kit, 24 Watt – Desert 12% UVB – Repti Life Vivarums

www.repti-life.co.uk

Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 UVB

Compact fluorescent UVB tube light available in 3 sizes Prevents metabolic bone disease Emits desert strength 10% UVB and emits 30% UVA light

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

UV Lighting

internetreptile.com

 

[Sue E.]

Update, bought him calcium powder and vitamins, they restocked in one of the stores that are an about hour ride away from me. The same store had UVB tubes. Only Exo Terra ones though. Something like desert light 150, T8, 18w, both UVB and UVA. I read they need to be close to the basking spot since T8 don't shine as good as T5. The tube is long but I am currently in a car (can't check) so not sure how long. It's one of the longer ones. They're the ones I used to use years ago and we had no issues with them, I hope they're decent still. Thank you for your help once more.

Yeah just keep them closer to him and in the tank under the screen and change frequently.

 

[xp29]

Update, bought him calcium powder and vitamins, they restocked in one of the stores that are an about hour ride away from me. The same store had UVB tubes. Only Exo Terra ones though. Something like desert light 150, T8, 18w, both UVB and UVA. I read they need to be close to the basking spot since T8 don't shine as good as T5. The tube is long but I am currently in a car (can't check) so not sure how long. It's one of the longer ones. They're the ones I used to use years ago and we had no issues with them, I hope they're decent still. Thank you for your help once more.

That's fantastic
Your right the t8's need to be closer than the t5's
Make sure there isn't a plastic cover covering the bulb if you bought fixture and all. Some of those t8 fixtures come with a cover, and ut blocks the uvb. If it has one, just remove it.

 

[Sue E.]

Just mark a date on your calendar about 5 months from now to get a new bulb, they dont last as long as the t5. T5s are good for 11-12 months, t8 about 5-6; 5 months to be sure. The light may still be on, but the uvb degrades to nothing over time.

 

[ChileanTaco]

@Sue E.
Super important! And I'd rather say: buy it earlier, just in case they are sold out, or something else might make it inconvenient or impossible to buy them.

(Mine is due in August. I will order it already next week - okay, we won't have quick delivery with "there you get anything" shopping like Amazon or "big box" pet stores, but I have to rely on one out of approx. three "mom and pop" stores can send me one if their importer got them. But even if I could order "anything" quickly, I would order it a month or so in advance. When I bought the last one, they shipped me the wrong one (weaker, for such as chameleons), so after ordering instead of 2 weeks later, I got the correct one 4 weeks after ordering initially. Can always happen, or something breaks during shipment.)

 

[Sue E.]

@Sue E.
Super important! And I'd rather say: buy it earlier, just in case they are sold out, or something else might make it inconvenient or impossible to buy them.

(Mine is due in August. I will order it already next week - okay, we won't have quick delivery with "there you get anything" shopping like Amazon or "big box" pet stores, but I have to rely on one out of approx. three "mom and pop" stores can send me one if their importer got them. But even if I could order "anything" quickly, I would order it a month or so in advance. When I bought the last one, they shipped me the wrong one (weaker, for such as chameleons), so after ordering instead of 2 weeks later, I got the correct one 4 weeks after ordering initially. Can always happen, or something breaks during shipment.)

I have 2 backup t5 10.0 24" both with hoods, and one backup 36" bulb for the 39" fixture I have now, 2 backup 150watt basking lights and 2 backup 125 watt lol. Because im ocd...I understand not everyone can afford and/or store backups, but if you can, it is definitely a good idea so you dont get caught short!