Im Terri and i have just purchased (but not picked up) my first ever bearded dragon. I am very new to all of this, but i have always wanted to own a lizard and these guys seem to be perfect for me!
I picked out a 5 month old male bearded dragon who ive named Griffin. He's beautiful! i cant wait to bring him home, but id really like to have everything perfect for him first.
I have purchased a 3 foot tank with a mesh lid to allow plenty of circulation and enough room for him to play..at least for now! i am still tyring to figure out the lighting situation, i have a post up in that forum area if anyone can give me a hand..itd be great!
If anyone has any tips for me on anything, please pass them on. I am completely new to this and im trying to get as much info as possible.
As far as heating goes a normal light would work, the watt you need depends on how much power you need to get it to 95-105 degrees in his basking spot. 60 watts is about in the middle.
The best UVB light for him is the ReptiSun 10.0
When you get him you should post some pics ^.^ Do you know what morph he is?
I have a 40gl breeder and set up my lighting like this:
I have a reptisun 24" tube along the back, mounted inside the tank with double-stick velcro tape. It's ideal to get the UVB 6-8" from the beardie, rather than from the top shining through the screen. I bought the fixture at walmart for $7, and run the cord out of the back (my screen top slides on from the front). I have a 75watt basking bulb on the right side that sits over the basking spot. Joga is a little older and doesn't like it hotter than 98 degrees or so, so her basking spot is 95-99 usually. This picture was taken about 3 mos ago, and since then I've lowered the tile under her basking rock to adjust the basking temps to her liking. On the left side I have a 75watt house bulb on a dimmer that I adjust to keep the cool side 80-85. I have two probe thermometers, one on her basking spot and one on the cool side to keep track of the temps in the tank.
Hope this helps. Welcome to the board! Please post pics of your pooper when you get him!