momof2boys":7c5e5 said:
Okay, I need to go out to recycling and get the boxes before trash goes out tomorrow! This is a very good pet store and the guy who worked there called the owner to be sure we had enough of the fluorescent light and we got what the owner recommended. I will come back tomorrow and tell you all exactly the brands.
Indeed, it's always good to check. Let us know what you find out. The best available and truly, the only tube out there worth it's salt is the ReptiSun 10.0. There are two other alternatives: the ReptiSun 5.0 tube, and the ReptiGlo 8.0 tube, but those are really just "ok" bulbs in regard to UVB emissions, but are, at the very least, safe. Sadly, there are way too many UVB tubes available that have been associated with health issues for dragons. *sigh* I may have mentioned this before, but we learned this one the hard way. (Thankfully, our dragon is recovering thanks to this wonderfully caring forum.)
As far as my basking light, what wattage should the lightbulb I put in there be? The black light I got was supposed to be okay for day and night... But I'll call the owner of the store tomorrow and I'm sure he'll take it back if it's not good for the dragon.
As for a temp probe, what brands are good? I didn't get a thermometer at all... I think the kid working there wasn't as good as the owner would have been. He said he's been keeping lizards for many years, and seemed to know a lot.
The wattage you use will be directly related to which gives you the proper temp gradient in the tank (see my first reply). If you can give me the exact size of your tank, I can perhaps give you a nudge in the right direction. Indeed, you need to be able to gauge temps closely which is why Sara and I both asked as to how you are going about doing that. A digital with probe thermometer will give you the ability to gauge temps about the tank with one unit, in particular, the basking temps (temp directly on the basking surface/under the heat lamp). Knowing all the temps is important, but gauging the basking temps is especially important to the
health and safety of your beardie. Too low, and digestion can be negatively affected. Too high and beardie can become rapidly dehydrated, which can lead to a whole host of other health issues. Young beardies do indeed, have very particular needs, but they are so well worth the initial effort, special creatures as they are.
I use this thermometer:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-thermometers/513304/zilla-terrarium-hygrometer-thermometer.html. However, there is a less expensive digital with probe available at WalMart, made by Accurite, for around $12. It also has a built in hygrometer for gauging tank humidity which btw, should run 30-50%.
It won't hurt the dragon tonight, though, right? I don't really have any option but to go with what we have now!
Beardie will be just fine for the night. :mrgreen: Please feel free to post any other questions. We're happy to help. Also, I'd be happy to PM a
caresheet for young dragons to you, if you'd like. Just let me know! It was actually my son that got us started on this dragon-journey, and low and behold the whole family has fallen for our dear lizard girl... I never realized how much there was too know, and it seemed a bit overwhelming at first, but over the months (and mostly thanks to bd.org), we've all come to "grasp the elements" so to speak.
The best,
Em