HiHoMousey":561b0 said:
Hi Guys.
I live in Brisbane , Australia and am looking in to getting into the hobby.
I have a few questions i would really appreciate being answered.
1) What to do now? What do i have to buy and how long to set up etc? How much will it cost?
2) How much does ongoing costs cost and what it involves? Food lights etc?
3)Do i have to get some type of licence? What does this involve doing?
I think that will be it for now but ill be posting here a whole lot and asking more questions as i start my journey with my bearded and ill keep updated with setting up the home etc with pics. Just need help atm on what to get.
Cheers guys
Hello and Welcome to the forum,
I cant advise you on the specifics of Australia Licensing and rules as I am in the USA but I can give you some great links to look over as well as answer the specifics of care and husbandry.
Your viv size is really based on the age of your beardie but an Adult minimum is a 40gallon breeder which is 36x18x18 however it is ideal to have 4x2x2 for an adult.You can actually but a viv that size and partition it when they are smaller so you dont have to invest in multiple tanks.You will need a good
UVB bulb(reptisun10.0,reptisun 5.0,Arcadia D3,reptiglo 8.0 are all good if you can find them)You will also need a bright white basking bulb for heat and household bulbs or generic floods work just fine,theres no need to spend alot on a reptibasking bulb.The substrate for a beardie really should be solid sub to avoid impaction like papertowels,ceramic or slate tile,non adhesive shelf liner or repticarpet.You will alsoo need a digital thermometer with a probe or an infared temp gun.You want a basking surface temp of 95-110F and a cool end of 75F-80F air temp.This sould be measured by leaving the probe directly on the surface of the basking spot for 45 minutes to get an accurate read.They need a calcium w/d3 supplement as well as a good multivitamin.The amount to be given varies on the age of the beardie.
Now as for cost.This varies based on age as well.Babies and Juvies require alot of protien and can eat 50-100 crickets per day which can add up.Adult beardies eat about 25-50 feeders a week depending on the type of feeder because their diet is 80%veggie and 20%protien which lessens the cost.You will also have to add in the cost of vet care and the cost of replacing the
uvb bulb every 6months.
Here are some great links and for more specifics on Australian rules and products I recommend you PM Kirby and I am sure he will be able to help you out.
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/GeneralCare.html
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/caresheet/
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/vitamins/
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/eyebulging/
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/armWaving/
