Almost Done!

[Tristam]

Greetings people. I just wanted to say that most of the basic items I have deemed necessary have been purchased/installed. I just have a few more little things to work out before I get my bearded dragon next week or so.

Here is what I have:

40g breeder tank
Slate tile substrate, fitted/installed
Wire mesh lid
Basking light/light fixture that fluxuates from 100-105
Reptisun 10.0 24" bulb in a fixture
Reptiworms (on their way, so he will have food when I bring it home)
Accurite Digital thermometer to record temperatures
Repti-cal calcium supplement
Herptivite Vitamin powder
Hiding half-log
Bleach (for cleansing items in a 4-5% solution)
Extra Repti-sun 10.0 24" bulb
Stand for the tank
Refridgerator for keeping the worms dormant
2 Reptile Hammocks (lucky lizard)
Money set aside for Vet visit (initial and possible medications)/Extra food/Veggies/Blankets/Bulbs/etc.
and a little plastic dish for when it will receive a bath

Just want to make sure you guys are comfortable with the stuff I have provided for this beardie. You guys know what you are talking about and I hope that I have taken your advice correctly.

I do have a couple of questions:
Although I have the UVB bulb/bulb fixture, I would like to know how some of you have attached it to the inside of your cages. If possible, could you please attach pics as well? I appreciate it.


Thanks for your time,
Tristam

 

[Grogshla]

hey buddy.
everything so far sounds great.
I would suggest bumping up your basking temp to 110. Especially if you have a 40g tank.
Crickets and roaches are the best food for your dragons. Reptiworms are also good but try and give him a combo if possible. Never feed mealworms or anyother type of worm.

In my 40g tank i have suspended the uvb tube fixture by shoe lace strings to get it to 6-8 inches from the dragon and the enclosure floor. I have suspended it on 2 cross beams that stretch depth ways on the top of the tank.

Hope this helps

 

[Tristam]

hey buddy.
everything so far sounds great.
I would suggest bumping up your basking temp to 110. Especially if you have a 40g tank.
Crickets and roaches are the best food for your dragons. Reptiworms are also good but try and give him a combo if possible. Never feed mealworms or anyother type of worm.

In my 40g tank i have suspended the uvb tube fixture by shoe lace strings to get it to 6-8 inches from the dragon and the enclosure floor. I have suspended it on 2 cross beams that stretch depth ways on the top of the tank.

Hope this helps

Thanks for your reply Grogshla. I've been reading across this site for the past few months. Just want to make sure that everything is just right for him when he's ready to be brought home.

Anyways, most posts I have seen reccommend 100-105 for adult bearded dragons. I also have a lighter temperature bulb on the cool side to make sure that it's around 80-85 if you're worried about the temperature gradient.

Crickets and roaches may be the economically best food to feed bearded dragons, but I am not allowed roaches in my establishment (I've asked) and my father will not tolerate crickets around our house due to the smell, so I figured that worms would be the best overall choice. I will be feeding it a mixture of Reptiworms, Silkworms, (staples), and butterworms (as treats). Plus, I haven't seen anyone really make any remarks about the worms not being a good staple. Of course, any worms I use will be soft-bodied, just in case.

Thanks for your input ^.^ I do appreciate it.

 

[Grogshla]

cool mate reptiworms are the best worms for your dragon. If you want to feed worms then use these as the staple.
yep 100-105 temp for adult dragons and 110 for babies.

All the best mate

 

[Backlash]

I have my reptisun mounted inside the cage, i felt that with it being above the screen i couldnt really get my guy close enough to the light, while maintaining good temps in the cage. I used a 24inch under the counter fluorescent light fixture from walmart, make sure to keep the plastic covering off.

i basically mounted it on the side of the glass right below the top rim of the tank, this way the basking platform as well as the hammock can be within 6-8 inches.

This is what i used to mount it:

They are basically heavy duty Velcro strips and work perfectly with the fixture. as you can see in the first picture i have a set of two on each end, then single strips spaced out in between. I found this option to be the most secure, as well as out of the way. I dont have to worry about it hanging from the screen top when i go to take things out of the cage.

Hope this helps!

 

[Tristam]

I have my reptisun mounted inside the cage, i felt that with it being above the screen i couldnt really get my guy close enough to the light, while maintaining good temps in the cage. I used a 24inch under the counter fluorescent light fixture from walmart, make sure to keep the plastic covering off.

i basically mounted it on the side of the glass right below the top rim of the tank, this way the basking platform as well as the hammock can be within 6-8 inches.

This is what i used to mount it:

They are basically heavy duty Velcro strips and work perfectly with the fixture. as you can see in the first picture i have a set of two on each end, then single strips spaced out in between. I found this option to be the most secure, as well as out of the way. I dont have to worry about it hanging from the screen top when i go to take things out of the cage.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your reply Backlash. That set-up looks perfect ^.^ I think I'll use that method to secure my UVB light fixture (and by the way, I have the exact same one).

 

[Tristam]

Okay, I have a second question: I have toolbox liner in the bottom of my cage to protect it from being damaged by the slate tile that I have in there. I am just wondering if this will be fine to leave in there. I have heard stories of people having beardies get terribly sick or even die due to the toxicity of shelf liners. Now, mine is not adhesive, but I do not know how it will react under heat. Thing is it is underneath my fitted tile and would not be directly exposed to heat...but I just want your opinions on it. If necessary, I will remove it. Also, would it be a good idea to soak my tile in a 4% bleach solution before getting the lizard? It isn't sealed, so it is porous...Would it be safe to use after it is thoroughly rinsed and left to dry?