help me properly set up this cage?

[ingo345]

Hey so this is the starter kit i got from pet-co, i plan to get alot more decor once my beardie is a bit older and when it can actually have sand in there. I just need to know how to properly set up the lights to benefit my beardie most!

 

[Goodtruant]

Hi, congrats on the new beardie!

A couple of things you'll need to take a look at. Starter kits are not always the best thing for beardies. There's one big thing that most kits get wrong, the lighting. Coil and compact UVB lights do more harm than good. The other thing would be the temp/humidity gauges that come with kits have poor accuracy, and you can't move them around to quickly take temps in other areas of the cage.

Please take a look at a couple of really great movies made by some great dragon breeders. One is about setting up the environment, the other is about feeding. These are videos with an incredible amount to necessary information needed to keep your beardie healthy and happy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rVdhGsaUw8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU-r0C5iZ8M

Keep us informed on how your little guy is doing!

 

[dragontamer13]

And just to throw it in, it is never a good idea to have sand in his/her tank. No matter the age, there is always the chance of impaction.

 

[ingo345]

Those videos helped alot thanks!

So should i never put sand in the cage??

 

[dragontamer13]

from what ive come to understand on this website, sand is ALWAYS bad

 

[Goodtruant]

I think dig boxes with sand is ok (for adults)...personally. I wouldn't use all sand substrate....too many things can go very wrong.

 

[skateanddonate]

Just want to clarify dial temperature guages are ONLY inaccurate at high temperatures. They are reliable if used on the cool side of tank (temperatures under high 80s). Maybe it is just me but I like having one mounted on the cool side under uvb tube so I can tell at a glance when I walk by that he has a cool spot to retreat to. Every time I've checked with temp gun it has been accurate within 3 degrees on cool side.

 

[Deviant]

And just to throw it in, it is never a good idea to have sand in his/her tank. No matter the age, there is always the chance of impaction.

I hate going into Petco where I live I know all of them use sand but the babies look soooo sad. There was one that was on the sand and SOOO skiny that is just :!: :?: :?: :!: me off I almost got it because of how bad it looked. But I don't have the room right now or the money for the vet bill.