Hello all!

[XIkyotoQueenx]

Hello all! I’m Emily

This is my 2nd post— I’m a new bearded dragon owner

I’ve owned some reptiles previously (russian tortoises and turtles) but I am open to any suggestions on here and wanted to post my baby not sure of a name still..it’s very tame and sweet, and currently in the shedding process; if y’all have suggestions on what to do during that time that’d be much appreciated! Also, name suggestions!

I’ve left him/her alone most of the shedding process, Beardie ate so many bugs right up to shedding day; for the 1st day ate nothing & stayed in basking spot the entire day. 2nd day he was in full shed— looked like a jacket Austin pulled off the super loose skin and right after he/she started running around and ate again! I haven’t seen the face shed off yet though..

Some pictures of the baby since I’ve got them up until now!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello all! I’m Emily

This is my 2nd post— I’m a new bearded dragon owner

I’ve owned some reptiles previously (russian tortoises and turtles) but I am open to any suggestions on here and wanted to post my baby not sure of a name still..it’s very tame and sweet, and currently in the shedding process; if y’all have suggestions on what to do during that time that’d be much appreciated! Also, name suggestions!

I’ve left him/her alone most of the shedding process, Beardie ate so many bugs right up to shedding day; for the 1st day ate nothing & stayed in basking spot the entire day. 2nd day he was in full shed— looked like a jacket Austin pulled off the super loose skin and right after he/she started running around and ate again! I haven’t seen the face shed off yet though..

Some pictures of the baby since I’ve got them up until now!

Welcome please do not pull off any shed- let it come off on its own - you have a nice set up- did we go over the uvb placement for your screen? I also noticed digital thermometers those are good for ambient but not surface basking temps--

 

[XIkyotoQueenx]

Welcome please do not pull off any shed- let it come off on its own - you have a nice set up- did we go over the uvb placement for your screen? I also noticed digital thermometers those are good for ambient but not surface basking temps--

I have a 39w t5 Acadia-36” (sits on top of wide mesh screen about 7-10” away from the basking spot and throughout the branch. Got it 🫡will know for next time. i have a digital probe that I use for basking (hottest temps at 98° I’m working on getting it hotter at the moment) What’s the closest I can move the basking to the UVB tube??

 

[KarrieRee]

I have a 39w t5 Acadia-36” (sits on top of wide mesh screen about 7-10” away from the basking spot and throughout the branch. Got it 🫡will know for next time. i have a digital probe that I use for basking (hottest temps at 98° I’m working on getting it hotter at the moment) What’s the closest I can move the basking to the UVB tube??

You can try and get the area to overlap - if not he will go to the light he needs -- the set up looks fine now the way you have it set up - what is in the 2nd dome? Are you using two basking bulbs ?

 

[XIkyotoQueenx]

You can try and get the area to overlap - if not he will go to the light he needs -- the set up looks fine now the way you have it set up - what is in the 2nd dome? Are you using two basking bulbs ?

The 1st side with the double fixture holds a couple of incandescent bulbs and the single fixture on the other side is the CHE—used at night for him it sits at 73 on the cool side where he sleeps

 

[XIkyotoQueenx]

The 1st side with the double fixture holds a couple of incandescent bulbs and the single fixture on the other side is the CHE—used at night for him it sits at 73 on the cool side where he sleeps

You can try and get the area to overlap - if not he will go to the light he needs -- the set up looks fine now the way you have it set up - what is in the 2nd dome? Are you using two basking bulbs ?

Oops I forgot to add! The hot side is 80° at night it’s a 60w CHE!

 

[KarrieRee]

Oops I forgot to add! The hot side is 80° at night it’s a 60w CHE!

Ok 80 at night is too hot unless your dragon is sick you want it cool and dark-- 65-75 ambient temps-

 

[Axil]

As for your temps I just replaced the same double fixture you have with a 7.5in brooder fixture and a 100w par38 halogen. That was way more efficient in my setup, cut the wattage I needed in half.

You will probably need less wattage than me or a lampstand to move it off the screen though. My temps are 110 directly under the bulb but my basking surface is 12-14 in under the screen yours looks to be closer.

 

[XIkyotoQueenx]

As for your temps I just replaced the same double fixture you have with a 7.5in brooder fixture and a 100w par38 halogen. That was way more efficient in my setup, cut the wattage I needed in half.

You will probably need less wattage than me or a lampstand to move it off the screen though. My temps are 110 directly under the bulb but my basking surface is 12-14 in under the screen yours looks to be closer.

Oh gosh I tried a 100w halogen it was wayyy too hot . I’m still trial and error with my temps but definitely need a lower wattage, mines 9” from the basking light at the moment and this enclosure holds heat more than a glass tank does. Id rather raise the basking spot and try and get a few extra degrees in. I Just don’t know how close I’m allowed to get to the UVB tube that’s what I’m stumped on! I read on the package that it’s dangerous to put it too close. I still have the tube on top of the mesh though, so it may not be too much uvb for the little guy if I raise it a few inches higher??

 

[KarrieRee]

Oh gosh I tried a 100w halogen it was wayyy too hot . I’m still trial and error with my temps but definitely need a lower wattage, mines 9” from the basking light at the moment and this enclosure holds heat more than a glass tank does. Id rather raise the basking spot and try and get a few extra degrees in. I Just don’t know how close I’m allowed to get to the UVB tube that’s what I’m stumped on! I read on the package that it’s dangerous to put it too close. I still have the tube on top of the mesh though, so it may not be too much uvb for the little guy if I raise it a few inches higher??

If its a fine mesh top it needs to go inside the tank -- 12-15 inches - if its a wide hole screen it can sit on top of the screen 8-10 inches directly above the basking decor piece

 

[Axil]

Oh gosh I tried a 100w halogen it was wayyy too hot . I’m still trial and error with my temps but definitely need a lower wattage, mines 9” from the basking light at the moment and this enclosure holds heat more than a glass tank does. Id rather raise the basking spot and try and get a few extra degrees in. I Just don’t know how close I’m allowed to get to the UVB tube that’s what I’m stumped on! I read on the package that it’s dangerous to put it too close. I still have the tube on top of the mesh though, so it may not be too much uvb for the little guy if I raise it a few inches higher??

Yeah like Karrie said you don't want to get closer than 8in to the uvb, especially if that is the only spot he'll have to get the heat he wants.

You said your coolside is 73? You still might be better off with a bigger dome and a smaller wattage bulb to spread out your heat more. High 70s-low 80s is your coolside target. He'll probably be more active if he can climb down from his basking spot and still find temps in the 90s on warm side.

You should see if your enclosures' manufacturer puts out info on how much uvb is blocked some do so you know exactly how your specific screen is interacting with the uvb.

 

[XIkyotoQueenx]

If its a fine mesh top it needs to go inside the tank -- 12-15 inches - if its a wide hole screen it can sit on top of the screen 8-10 inches directly above the basking decor piece

It’s wide screen, 8-10”exactly. Can it go closer than 8”?

 

[KarrieRee]

It’s wide screen, 8-10”exactly. Can it go closer than 8”?

I would not if you can