can someone help the newb?

[brooklynsour]

hi everybody i am new to this site ive been running through some topics and threads for a lil more than hour tryna get as much info as possible before starting a new topic....
i am new to reptiles never owned one, yet. so to start off im curious to know what exactly to use/need. i read for adult dragon its better to have 40+ gallon tank, also read that 40 gallon maybe too big for a juvenile (catching food and what not) so i was gonna block off some space with a piece of cardboard perhaps if necessary
and so the tank i was considering is
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16624236&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo
on sale for about 140 with all the things it comes with and free shipping seems like a good deal to me, would the lighting it comes with be sufficient enough?
(tomorrow i am going to the pet shop to see what they have and compare prices, sizes -w/e)
are there any website for cheap tanks that somebody can share please?
also i seen the topic for the new t5 Arcadia 12% lights, they seem somewhat pricey about 40$ a bulb and the fixture isnt too cheap 50$+ is that the price they go for and the bulb would be changed about twice a year?
for feeding i bookmarked this page http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
sorry for being such a noob and hope not too much of a nuisance and thank you for your time, reading and responding
Mitchell

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi Mitchell,

That tank is fine, but the bulbs it comes with are crap.

The initial investment for the arcadia bulb is well worth it IMO. You only have to buy the fixture once (you can buy the fixture elsewhere for cheaper if you want) and the bulb is the best on the market. In a market where the majority of bulbs not only don't do what we want, but cause ill effects, having a proper uvb bulb is a MUST.

Either the arcadia or the reptisun 10.0 tube.

Of course, you will also need to buy a bulb to provide heat.

You will be fine keeping a baby/juvie in a 40g tank. You can always feed him/her in a separate tank if need be.

-Brandon

 

[brooklynsour]

Hi Brandon thank you for the quick response. I just got back from petco they had 2 beardies 1 juvie and 1 couple months old for sale 60$, didnt notice any nips or damage guys were moving around and the juvie pooped the sec i got there lol. they also have some in the back too young for now and have some for adoption a bit nipped up he said.
the tanks they have are not very convenient for the beardies as i wanna get something a bit longer, they had a 20 gallon tank 30x14x12ish for 45 and the next one was 38 gallon but it wasnt much longer mostly just taller, the 55 was pricey and too big. i asked if they had any 40 gallon tanks but they did not..
i will most likely order the tank today, from the link^.
few questions if somebody can answer please
can i feed them phoenix worms mostly instead of crickets? of course i plan on feed veggies and get them as many vitamins as possible.
would you be able to tell me if this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Halloween-Black-Lights-T5-Fluorescent-Fixtures-36-Long-Case-of-10-Brand-New-/271286737392?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f29f319f0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sun-Blaster-T5-High-Output-HO-Fluorescent-Strip-Light-grow-reflector-lamp-/130778255942?pt=US_Hydroponics&var=&hash=item1e72fdd246
is what i need for the t5 light bulbs http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ard3t534in39.html
my apologizes for all these question just want to make sure i get the right things from the start and wont have to have any issues to deal with and give my dragon a good setup

edit.. after some more searching i found this t5 from petsmart is this similar like the 12%uvb above?

 

[Claudiusx]

The second ebay link you posted would be a fine fixture.
PW's are a great feeder to feed your dragon. A bit expensive but definitely worth it.

A t5 you found at petsmart? A bulb or a fixture?
If it's a bulb I'd stay away from it unless it was one of the two I mentioned to you. I was not joking when I said there are ONLY 2 bulbs on the market SAFE for bearded dragons.

-Brandon

 

[brooklynsour]

thanks again for the help and i thought i did post the link to the reptisun t5 ho http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16657316&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo
it doesnt show anywhere how much uvb it produces so question is do all the t5 HO have the same uvb?

 

[Claudiusx]

The reptisun t5 HO will be fine too. I still believe the arcadia to be better, but really, they are both great bulbs.

-Brandon

 

[brooklynsour]

I gotcha tomorrow I head to home depot plan on get some ceramic tile for them and some other things.. For the t5 ho do I just ask them for a t5 ho fixture? They should have them I assume

 

[Claudiusx]

I can't say for certain they would.

HO are kind of local to reptile and plant growing specialties. Not very common for household applications, which is what home depot carries.

That link you posted is a fixture+bulb for the t5 reptisun.

-Brandon

 

[brooklynsour]

Yea but if possible I was going to get a fixture for hopefully around 40$ from home depot and get the Arcadia t5 to use with?
Thinking about it, doesn't really make much sense lol... So the T5 ho reptisun should be 12uvb? and better than the light my start kit comes with?
Thank you so much Brandon for your advice and time.