Feeding questions

[Berryr386]

I am new to the beardie world. I have had my beardie for approx 3 weeks. At first he wouldn't eat at all, and I gathered it was due to very low temps (85 in a 55 gal. Tank). I changed the heating but I'm having issues getting my temp where it should be. I can only get it to 102-105. I have a 150 watt bulb, a uvb/heat lamp and a 75 watt bulb on on end of the tank, and on the cool end of the tank it stays around 85 which is good. My little guy eats now, but according to everything I have read, he ( or it rather because it is small, don't know if it is male or female) is not eating enough. It lets me know when it wants fed. He will come off its basking site and stare at me, lol. I'll feed it anywhere from 5-10 crickets ( by hand, he won't eat them otherwise, just lets them hop around the cage) and will not touch veggies. He eats at least twice a day, sometimes three.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I am new to the beardie world. I have had my beardie for approx 3 weeks. At first he wouldn't eat at all, and I gathered it was due to very low temps (85 in a 55 gal. Tank). I changed the heating but I'm having issues getting my temp where it should be. I can only get it to 102-105<<<< about 100F is fine for the basking spot. I have a 150 watt bulb, a uvb/heat lamp <<<< what sort of light = coil / compact ? tube T8 ? tube T5 ? , the UV light needs to emit AT LEAST 10%UVB (needed to metabolise dietary Ca and produce VitD) and 30%UVA (this enhances apetite and activity)and a 75 watt bulb on on end of the tank, and on the cool end of the tank it stays around 85 which is good. My little guy eats now, but according to everything I have read, he ( or it rather because it is small, don't know if it is male or female) is not eating enough. It lets me know when it wants fed. <<< very young beardies (hatchlings under 4 months) need at least TWO live insect meals per day, THREE are better. He will come off its basking site and stare at me, lol. I'll feed it anywhere from 5-10 crickets ( by hand, he won't eat them otherwise, <<<< handfeeding is fine, some really like the 5star service from their pet human) just lets them hop around the cage) and will not touch veggies. He eats at least twice a day, sometimes three.<<< three is better, more quality insects he eats , the faster he'll grow and develop

What's his bedding ? ......,if it's sand or other particulate material = BAD .

I recommend a lighting schedule like 16ON, 8OFF.

 

[Berryr386]

My uvb bulb is a T8. My substrate right now is a towel. I had crushed walnut at first ( pet store recommended, and despite my research, did not find that it was not good for them until after I bought it). I am going to get slate or tile as soon as I can. I don't reall have him on a lighting schedule, did not know that was important. If his lights go out while we are still up, should we cover his cage to darken it, as we will have lights on in the house? Here is a link to photos of his set-up and him on photo bucket. http://s557.photobucket.com/user/berryr386/media/image_zpsgao6pi7w.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=3