Family wants to use coconut fiber.

[NewbieLizard43]

Hello,
For context, I'm a new beardie owner. I was out buying a new enclosure for my Beardie. When we were buying the substrate, my father told me that we should buy coconut fiber. At the time I didn't know what else to buy, so we bought it.
I want to know if my beardie will have any serious health problems. My parents wont allow me to change it. I'm just hoping I am able to change it in the near future, as I don't want to cause any harm to him.
Will it seriously affect him?

 

[NewbieLizard43]

Good news: my mom is going to buy ceramic tiles for me soon!

 

[KarrieRee]

Get rid of the coconut fiber is toxic to dragons---
Use paper towel til you get the tile
Karrie

 

[NewbieLizard43]

Will newspaper work?

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes
Tips for tile - textured slated ceramic nothing real corse- have it cut to the size of tank w/ a tile cutter or try and find pieces that will fit right in- you can put a thick shop paper towel underneath to catch watery urate- do not grout or glue you want to be able to pull tiles to really clean - here's a pic of mine came from home depot

Karrie

 

[NewbieLizard43]

I put the newspaper over the coconut fiber so my beardie feels comfy since its his new home. Should I remove it next week or as soon as possible?

 

[KarrieRee]

ASAP-- just use the newspaper
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

We need to over your lighting-- NO colored bulbs No coil UVB's particularly a 13 watt coil-- basking temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-- stick ons are inaccurate--
Karrie

 

[NewbieLizard43]

I'm using the same lighting that my beardie's old tank had: an exoterra uvb light (75 watts i think) and a (what seems like) normal lightbulb. Will give more info tomorrow.
As for the tiles: how much will they cost?
The tank is a 75 gallon tank.

 

[KarrieRee]

Depends on the tile you get- I tiled my 120 gallon for $13-- the exo terra 75 watt sounds like a basking bulb and for a 75 gallon tank your basking temps may not be hot enough--- you must have a digital probe thermometer- why did your last dragon die? I need all the lighting your using- this is crucial to the overall health of your dragon
Karrie

 

[NewbieLizard43]

My last dragon didn't die (since i never had a dragon before, Rocky is still alive)

I will try getting a better lightbulb for him

 

[KarrieRee]

I am going to post websites links for correct lighting tomorrow
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

You need this UVB for a 40+ gallon tank
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html this is a 24" and you need this bulb
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html a 22"
this for basking temps
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-digital-thermometer.html they carry these at Petco or Petsmart
and this for a basking bulb - you MUST have the digital probe thermometer when you put this in the tank - you need to get a basking temp of the bulb your using now if its not at 105-110 highest you need to go up to the next higher wattage- it will be trial and error w/ the basking bulbs
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-basking-spot-bulbs.html
All these things I just posted are crucial to the health and survival of your dragon -- We can go over feeding your dragon as well but first we need to get the lighting in the tank situated --- He WILL NOT EAT if the UVB and basking temps are not correct!!!!!!!!!!!
He will go thru relocation stress that is normal --- but he should keep eating something if he stops eating all together there is a issue and you do not want that to go on to long ---- they are too little at this point to sustain good health when they are this little -- so its better to catch the issue right away --- I am telling you this now to avoid further health issues w/ him
DO NOT listen to the petstore people they do not know anything about dragons or their care and they will sell you stuff that you do not need and most times its harmful to the dragon ---- like coconut fiber --- they should have told you about that when you were buying it-------------
Karrie