Beardie Tank Setup Help!

[Zip]

Hey Everyone,
I need some help with the setup of my beardies tank

Currently he is in a 10 Gallon that the breeder sent with him, and he will soon be updated to a 35 Gallon, once i finish steralizing it for him, with a rock, 2 logs and 2 steralized Ragu lids as a food and water bowl. He also has his heat lamp, and day lamp. I'm not to sure whether I should be turning his heat lamp off at night aswell, or just his day lamp?

His tank is already really bare, and when I update him to the 35 gallon it's going to be even worse, It's just so hard to find affordable acessories for his tank, If anyone has any tips or information that'd be great.

Thanks,
Zip

 

[AndyT]

Both lamps should be turned off at night. They need to cool down during the night. I know what you mean about the tank accessories.

Andy

 

[ATLBeardedDragons]

Sounds good for now. If you want to accessorize his tank and furnish it well... It may be luxorious if you live near the woods.

-Find ANY cool piece(s) of wood, bark, drift wood, etc.

-Pre-Heat your Oven to 170-200 degrees Farenheight

-Let bake for 1 HOUR

This method will allow your Furnishings to sterilize and kill all bacteria, mites, etc.


**** I let all my wood SOAK in a small bucket of water w/ 1 Tablespoon of bleach as a solution WHILE THE OVEN IS HEATING UP. Just to be safe!



[email protected]

www.AtlantaBeardedDragons.com

sincerely,
ABD

 

[Zip]

Thanks,
I'm just still really nervous about turning the heat lamp off during the night and him getting too cold,
Wow, I'd never thought of furnishing like that, that makes things alot simpler

 

[Zip]

Thanks,
I'm just still really nervous about turning the heat lamp off during the night and him getting too cold,
Wow, I'd never thought of furnishing like that, that makes things alot simpler

 

[remi1]

You could also check the pet section on craigslist. I've seen a bunch of cage furniture for cheap there, but depending on how active CL in your area is, you might have to be patient and wait a bit 'til someone posts it.

 

[Toyguy]

Just remember that anything you bring in for decoration from outside has to be sanitized. You can soak them in a bleach solution or bake them in the oven but don't put them in fresh from outdoors.

 

[ClydesGirl]

What sort of thermometer are you using? As long as it is not gettign cooler than 65 degrees at night, he shouldn't need any additional heating. If it IS getting cooler than 65 degrees, you'll want to heat the tank with a ceramic heat emitter (CHE), which screws into a normal light bulb socket and puts out heat, but no light. Having any sort of actual light on a night can disturb their sleep patterns.

Also, you didn't mention any sort of UVB light source.

 

[Zip]

Sorry, What exactly is a UVB Light? I know when my bf was contacting the breeder he said he would be sending out a basic tank setup with the beardie including a new UVB light, when we got him home he had a day light, and a heat light.... not sure which of the two is the UVB

Ahha, no worries, I steralize everything that goes into his tank I saw this neat kit at my local petsmart that I was really looking into. It was a complete Desert Setup Kit, it was $50.00 but came with some different backdrops, water and feed dishes, and 6 different rocks and branches, has anyone heard of this? any recomendations?

 

[AndyT]

I can't help much with the whole UVB thing, maybe if you PM Tracie (Drache613), she can explain it thoroughly. I really wouldn't recommend buying any kits from petsmart. I'm guessing it also comes with calcisand and 3 different horrible bulbs. You could get it and just use the hides and dishes, because that is a lot of things for 50$, but don't use any of the other stuff you get in the kit. Just my thoughts.

Andy

 

[hakgrbr]

I have seen that same box at our petsmart. Have been deciding if to get it or not. They have two one comes with bulbs and the other only has the tank extras rocks, hide, cactus food water dish, and more but can not remember.

 

[ClydesGirl]

I would highly recommend reading the "Introduction to UV Lighting" under the Care Sheets and Articles link at to top of this website. Should probably take a look at the other care sheets as well if you are new to BD owning.

 

[luvanimals]

The "day light" is more than likely the UVB light. It will be the one that isn't putting off much heat. It's extremely important to your beardie's health and I agree that you should do some research about it. As long as there's something to climb on (particularly to get closer to the lights) don't worry too much about cage furniture. They need open space to walk/run too.