Hi! We're new here. This is our baby beardy Pogo.

[Zee]

Hi I'm Zee & my hubby is Chris,

I'm a first time owner & after years of trying to talk hubby into getting a hypoallergenic pet (I.e. lizard or pug), he surprised me with a baby beardy for Christmas! I'm so excited & my "I-don't-like-lizards-they're-gross-pets hubby is totally IN LOVE with the Beardy. So in love he wouldn't let me do the first feeding myself. Lol

I named him Pogo, he is almost four weeks old, & very alert & responsive. This morning he even waved @ me & let me pick him up. After only one night w/ us.

I will post a pic of his home, I don't know what else I need. My husband bought a 20G tank for him, a hollow log that doubles as a basking spot & hide, plus another smaller hide. We have his food & water bowls placed on the opposite end of the tank in the "cool side", but are wondering if we should move it under the basking lamp since beardies like warm water? He also didn't drink much yesterday so I fed him water with a dropper. He lapped it all up.

We are getting a thermometer & maybe a CHE, I don't know if I will need it or not. We are also reversing his day/night cycle (I posted about it under the encaptures topic) to be able to better care for him.

**Edit my phone flips pictures for some reason, reuploaded.

 

[CooperDragon]

He's a cute little guy! The 20g tank will work for a while but be ready to replace it with a much larger tank at about 6 months (sooner if you can). For now, I'd definitely get a good thermometer I like using IR temp guns like this http://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00CVHIJDK to get accurate surface readings. A digital thermometer with a probe will work too. You'll want the basking spot at the top of the half log to be 100-110 and the cool side should be around 75-80. You can adjust this by raising and lowering the light fixture. There are adjustable lamp stands that help with this. I'd get some light timers for the basking and UVB light too. If the temps in the tank go below 65 when the lights are out, a low wattage CHE is probably a good idea to boost the temps but otherwise it's not needed.

 

[Zee]

Thank you so much for you help! We bought adhesive thermometers for the time being but we will look into the one you recommended. We are going to look into getting a stand too since the temperature in his basking area is staying at 92-93 degrees Fahrenheit. Should we get a stronger bulb? Or just change how close the lights are? We are currently using a 75w bulb for heating.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd try a 100w or 150w (make sure your fixture is rated to handle this) and put it on a dimmer or stand. I've found it easier to adjust a higher bulb down to proper temps rather than trying to increase temps using a weaker bulb.

 

[Zee]

Thanks again! We ordered the thermometer yesterday, especially since when I left this morning his "night cycle" temp read between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit in his basking side & 75 degrees Fahrenheit in his cool side. Our home thermostat is set to 78 but it is getting cooler outside. Would a CHE be good to get or are these temperatures good?


We're definitely getting a stronger bulb & a stand, especially since yesterday he was squeezing himself into the highest corner his log reached. This morning he was gaping before lights out so @least I know he's getting some warmth but I think a stronger bulb will make us feel better.

 

[CooperDragon]

Getting accurate temp readings will be a big help for sure. If the enclosure is staying at 78 when the lights are out, that's totally fine, no CHE needed. You won't need to worry about extra heat overnight unless the temps in the tank drop into the lower 60s or lower.

 

[Zee]

Ok, I think once we have the stronger bulb/stand & a good thermometer it we can play around with it. I don't particularly like the cold so we always keep the apartment @ 73-75 when we're home & turn it up to 77-78 when we're gone. Thanks again!