How do I prepare for my new Beardie?

[Ashleydmj]

Hello everyone! I have hoped to have a Bearded Dragon of my own for quite a few years... However, my mom has never been a fan of Reptiles so the closest I have ever come is my Three-Toed Box Turtle. That is, until Christmas! When she surprised me with a Bearded Dragon set up and a letter stating that if I helped renovate the room in our garage I could get one! AHHH SO EXCITING! Unfortunately, my mom has no knowledge of them and was mislead by a Pet store employee to buy a Zilla Starter Kit XL DELUXE. Now I am WELL AWARE that this is not ideal. This has caused complications amongst my Christmas present because she believes that I am being ungrateful as it was $200.00. I have such a passion for animals and always get into my research when looking to house something. I only want the very best for my Bearded Dragon. I tried to accept the enclosure but just COULD NOT when I read reviews on the lights causing the beardys to go blind as well as one where the light exploded! I cannot build an enclosure and can only purchase one through a pet store. ESPECIALLY because this is causing complications of communication in my household... I have been looking at the EXO TERRA 40 gallon front opening tank for $150. But now I need to purchase everything else! I would be ever so grateful if someone could provide me a list of the best and or cheapest to buy, the brands, and places to purchase etc... I only want the best! But I don't want to upset my mom who thought she was doing such a great thing which she was... Please keep in mind that I live in Oregon and it is very cold here right now. The beardy would first be housed in the room in the garage which will be very cool, so let me know if I need any additional heat sources. Thanks so much!

 

[Rukii]

Hi there!

It's great to see someone who is so eager to do their research before taking a dragon into their care! :mrgreen: And good on you for wanting better housing for your dragon, too. Those pet store kits aren't always a good way to go, as you know.

A 40g tank would be fantastic. As for substrate, using a non-porous and solid material like non-adhesive shelf liner or ceramic tile is a great way to go. I personally use ceramic tile, and I could not be happier. Easy to clean, looks fantastic, and keeps bacteria out and feeders from hiding under the substrate. You can most likely get this for super cheap at your local hardware store c:

As for UV, a tube lamp is the way to go. The Reptisun 10.0 UVB tube is the most recommended UV light I've seen. Stay away from coils, they do indeed harm your dragon in the long run. http://www.petmountain.com/ is a great site for buying these!

Once the tank is set up, if the temp of the cool side stays below 70, it would be wise to get a ceramic heat emitter to keep the heat at a reasonable spot. Stay away from heat rocks though, they tend to go haywire and could do some pretty bad stuff to your dragon.

Hope this helps a little bit! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

 

[Lindz0518]

There's nothing wrong with that kit, assuming it's the one that comes with the 40 gallon tank, you just need to add a few things like the reptisun 10.0. You can get a housing for it at walmart pretty cheap. The tank it comes with is a good tank, really no need to go out and spend that much on an exo terra one. I also use ceramic tile with my dragon and leopard geckos and I love it. 18 of the 6X6 tiles fit perfectly in the 40 gallons. Also you don't need the night heat light, as long as your temps stay up above 65 at night. The basking spot needs to be around 105 and you can measure temps with a probe thermometer that you can get for around $6. Just get a basking bulb or flood light instead of the blue light also.

 

[Ashleydmj]

Hi there!

It's great to see someone who is so eager to do their research before taking a dragon into their care! :mrgreen: And good on you for wanting better housing for your dragon, too. Those pet store kits aren't always a good way to go, as you know.

A 40g tank would be fantastic. As for substrate, using a non-porous and solid material like non-adhesive shelf liner or ceramic tile is a great way to go. I personally use ceramic tile, and I could not be happier. Easy to clean, looks fantastic, and keeps bacteria out and feeders from hiding under the substrate. You can most likely get this for super cheap at your local hardware store c:

As for UV, a tube lamp is the way to go. The Reptisun 10.0 UVB tube is the most recommended UV light I've seen. Stay away from coils, they do indeed harm your dragon in the long run. http://www.petmountain.com/ is a great site for buying these!

Once the tank is set up, if the temp of the cool side stays below 70, it would be wise to get a ceramic heat emitter to keep the heat at a reasonable spot. Stay away from heat rocks though, they tend to go haywire and could do some pretty bad stuff to your dragon.

Hope this helps a little bit! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Thank you so much! That really is helpful What would you suggest as far as diet? I know that small crickets are ideal,but where can I find them in larger quantities for cheaper? Also, I've heard of breeding the Crickets? Is this an easy thing to do? What would be the best to keep them in? Thank you!

 

[jezwolf175]

I would strongly suggest starting a dubia colony instead. they are easier to breed, easier to keep, and alotbetter for your dragon. They cannot climb smooth plastic and little to no smell. And they dont chirp or escape. The sound of many crickets at night are horrible and they can bite your dragon if left in there with him/her. And the smell they make is I also found that dubia are easier to breed than crickets. i also found that they are a way better investment than crickets.

 

[Ashleydmj]

Are Dubias okay for babies? I am planning to get him from a breeder and might get a baby. It is my first ever so would you suggest getting a few months old instead? I have read about starting a Dubia colony. Does anyone have a link to starting up one or just some tips? Dubias might just completely disgust my mom though... What are some alternatives to try instead of crickets and Dubias? Also, what is a good list of veggies?

 

[sweetpea1981]

http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
This is the link for the nutrional chart, it is color coded on what to feed as a staple, once in awhile, rarely and never.

 

[jezwolf175]

a good alternative to dubia and crickets are phoenix worms. They are a little bit pricey. Dubia nymphs have a softer exoskeleton than a cricket and more protein. Phoenix worms are a soft bodied worm and are the perfect ratio of calhos. the other brands.of phoenix worms are reptiworms and calciworms.