Advice???

[gocougs18]

-Any ideas on improvement?

 

[Kaiser]

I'm assuming the long light fixture is holding a UVB bulb. If so, what type and brand of UVB bulb is it? Some UVB bulbs have been associated with health concerns, as well as inadequate UVB. Other than that, regardless of the type and brand, the UVB light looks much too high to even provide the proper wavelengths (UVB light waves significantly diminish with respect to distance). Most UVB tube bulbs require anywhere from 6 to 8 inches from the bearded dragon in order to provide proper UVB levels (this is assuming the bulb even provides the proper amount to begin with, depending on the type and brand).

Also, I'm assuming you have a temperature probe (set up on the basking log, I think?); make sure you know the temperatures of the two sides of the terrarium, one being a warm side (85-95 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take) and the other being the cool side (75-85, give or take). The basking area should be anywhere from 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take.

Other than the enclosure, are you providing proper feeding and dusting of calcium and vitamins?

 

[gocougs18]

I have the Zilla desert series T8 Uvb. How can i alter the light to make it closer. I have a screen covering the cage right now.

Yeah thats the temp prob. the temps are perfect. i move it to the other side to check once every two days. do i need something better for him to hide in?

And now i am feeding him crickets that are gut loaded and dusted with a vitamin 3 days a week. The guy at the store who bought them from a breeder says to feed it 6 crickets a day which seems like way less than what i should be feeding it. so i am feeding it 10 crickets 2x a day. Where is a good site to buy crickets from?

 

[DragonsNDoodles]

That's not enough. You need to be feeding him as many crickets as he will eat in 10 minutes, twice a day. Sometimes he will eat 60-70 crickets! They are expensive little buggers. You can also buy roaches. Check out the "for sale" section of the site, and the "feeders" section.

That tank looks like a 10 gallon. If so, it's too small. You need at least a 20 gallon long tank for a baby. Then, when he grows you need at least a 40 gallon breeder tank.

You don't need to alter the light- just get another basking rock or log that gets closer to the light. What are the temps? They should be 110 in the basking spot, 90-95 in the warm side, and 75-80 on the cool side.

Also, the best UVB light is ReptiSun 10.0, not the Zilla T8, though yours is ok for now. When it goes bad, go ahead and buy a ReptiSun instead of another Zilla.

 

[Kaiser]

That's not enough. You need to be feeding him as many crickets as he will eat in 10 minutes, twice a day. Sometimes he will eat 60-70 crickets! They are expensive little buggers. You can also buy roaches. Check out the "for sale" section of the site, and the "feeders" section.

That tank looks like a 10 gallon. If so, it's too small. You need at least a 20 gallon long tank for a baby. Then, when he grows you need at least a 40 gallon breeder tank.

You don't need to alter the light- just get another basking rock or log that gets closer to the light. What are the temps? They should be 110 in the basking spot, 90-95 in the warm side, and 75-80 on the cool side.

Also, the best UVB light is ReptiSun 10.0, not the Zilla T8, though yours is ok for now. When it goes bad, go ahead and buy a ReptiSun instead of another Zilla.

Agreed. As much as they will eat in ten minutes, two to three times a day. Depending on your bearded dragon's appetite, this can be anywhere from 30 to 100 (some more or less) per day.

Agree with the enclosure size, as well. I couldn't tell what the size was, but if it is a ten gallon, you'll have to move up to a bigger size eventually. You might as well go with a 40 gallon to begin with, and if that's too big to maintain heat and/or if it makes your bearded dragon nervous, you can always try more lights or a divider, respectively.

And yes, go with the Reptisun 10.0 when you get the chance.

Another thing I noticed was that you mentioned you were just providing vitamins? Bearded dragons should be supplemented with calcium five days a week (one feeding in one day; the other feedings during that day can go without), and vitamins two times a week. That's usually the recommended schedule.

 

[gocougs18]

The tank is a 29 gallon, which is the size of a 20 gal long, but just a little taller.
Ill switch to the reptisun 10.0 when the once im using needs to be replaced thanks! the temps are 105 in the basking spot and 80 on the cool side.
As for the feeding I am going to switch to reptiworms, i just bought 1500 of the smalls. i could decide between the mediums and smalls so i went with the smalls to be safe.
I also bought reptile carpet, a hammock to get him closer to the lights, and some other things. ill post pics when i get it all set up.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[gocougs18]

Alright new set up. Zeus is hiding in the bush/leaves on the left, odd and i dont know why. its his new cool spot.
Im open to any ideas on rearrangement. Also do they get stressed when i change the tank arrangement?

 

[Kaiser]

Alright new set up. Zeus is hiding in the bush/leaves on the left, odd and i dont know why. its his new cool spot.
Im open to any ideas on rearrangement. Also do they get stressed when i change the tank arrangement?

That looks quite nice! I would just say to be careful with the propped up log; make sure that it won't fall or be knocked over by your bearded dragon, as it could be a potential hazard. Otherwise, if it's safe and secure, you did a good job of providing elevation for your bearded dragon to get closer to the heat and UVB light. And be sure to measure the basking spot (preferably with a digital probe), just to make sure it's not too hot up there. And have you changed out the UVB light, yet?

Also, yes, there is the possibility that your bearded dragon will get stressed out when you change the tank arrangement. It's basically like being "relocated" to a new place, so your bearded dragon may undergo some relocation stress for a bit.

 

[gocougs18]

no i havent yet. i will be replacing it in a few months i think. just till i have some extra cash since college is taking every last penny i have.
so how long should i wait till i try to handle him again? he is also just finishing up shedding as you can see the dead skin on the green flood by the rock

 

[Kaiser]

no i havent yet. i will be replacing it in a few months i think. just till i have some extra cash since college is taking every last penny i have.
so how long should i wait till i try to handle him again? he is also just finishing up shedding as you can see the dead skin on the green flood by the rock

Ah, okay. Well, when you get the chance, a replacement would be nice. Otherwise, I completely understand, as I myself am a college student, ha ha.

Anyway, you can handle your bearded dragon normally, so long as he doesn't seem particularly stressed out or irritated by it. The shedding may also cause for some stress or irritability, if that's what you've been noticing lately. Nonetheless, just respect him throughout the process, but also try to maintain contact and handling.

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

Just an FYI for when you get the Reptisun.. It will fit in the Zilla fixture.. Trust me you would have asked that question later..lol