Hi! I am sorry for your loss! We too experienced the loss of a baby dragon due to the impaction caused from the pet store! We were able to get a replacement for Smaug, but would have adopted one in need since reading posts from this site. It is hard when you try your best and the outcome is negative.
As for the issue you had with lighting. We decided to use our 50 gal breeder tank instead of the 20 gal one and split the home in half so it wasn't overwhelming for the baby. We bought a clamp for our light and have it at a safe distance from the screen top. We are using the Mega-Ray mercury vapour bulb in a ceramic based deep dome ballister and have it placed 12 inches from the basking site to ensure UV absorption. One thing I just learned though is that when using this light that you DO NOT need D3 in your calcium suppliment. We will be changing that today. They can overdose on the D3 if they have too much! I did not know that! :?
We had to change our entire set up due to the misinformation given at the pet store. I am very thankful for this site and all of the great people on it!
I hope that this experience does not turn you off of having another bearded dragon. Perhaps you might be able to adopt one in need or maybe get an older baby (3 or 4 months) that are easier to care for. I would have done things differently if I had known everything that I know now. You did everything that you could and although the outcome was negative, you provided a loving, warm and secure home for the last days of the baby's life. You should feel good about that.
My thoughts are with you! Best wishes for the future!
Cheryl
As for the issue you had with lighting. We decided to use our 50 gal breeder tank instead of the 20 gal one and split the home in half so it wasn't overwhelming for the baby. We bought a clamp for our light and have it at a safe distance from the screen top. We are using the Mega-Ray mercury vapour bulb in a ceramic based deep dome ballister and have it placed 12 inches from the basking site to ensure UV absorption. One thing I just learned though is that when using this light that you DO NOT need D3 in your calcium suppliment. We will be changing that today. They can overdose on the D3 if they have too much! I did not know that! :?
We had to change our entire set up due to the misinformation given at the pet store. I am very thankful for this site and all of the great people on it!
I hope that this experience does not turn you off of having another bearded dragon. Perhaps you might be able to adopt one in need or maybe get an older baby (3 or 4 months) that are easier to care for. I would have done things differently if I had known everything that I know now. You did everything that you could and although the outcome was negative, you provided a loving, warm and secure home for the last days of the baby's life. You should feel good about that.
My thoughts are with you! Best wishes for the future!
Cheryl