Is this OK? Also, how much should my juvy be eating.

[newbeardieboi]

Hello, I am new to both reptile and this forum. I was wondering if this setup is OK for my first beardie. I am using 2 8.5 inch ceramic socket clamp lamps, one with a 75Watt reptile bulb on the planned basking spot, and one with a 100Watt CHE on the cool side. The bulbs will rest on the screen lid in my 40 Breeder. I purchased the matching brand name fixture to accompany my 24" Repti Sun 10.0. Will this setup be good? Also, does feeding 20 crickets at 7 ish am and 20 crix at 6ish pm, an hour before lights out? Should I dust in calcium with D3 every day or every other? Also, how often with Herptivite? Lastly, what do you recommend for a basking spot? Also, is it ok that my tile on one end is slanted as to accompany the fact that it was cut a little too large. There are no gaps and it is on my cool-side? Thanks in adavance, hope to be a great owner!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....your bulb set up sounds good, you're going to want to have a basking spot around 105 and a cool end around 75-80. Feeding him twice a day will be good, but the second feeding should be at least 2 hours before lights out, preferably 3. If you can't manage that it's better to give the bulk of the crickets in the morning and a lesser amount at night. You can also offer greens like turnip, mustard, collard, dandelion and squash. Beardies don't always eat according to our scedule that we have planned though, especially when they are in a new place.

Will you have more cage decor ? Beardies love a nice basking log that runs a good length of the tank. You can even get nice ones outside, pop them in a preheated oven at 250 for 45 minutes to kill any potential pests .

The pieces of tile are O.K as they are or you can leave them out....always check that no loose crix are hiding under there. Hopefully all will go smoothly when you get your new buddy....there's always people here to help with any Q's you might have.

 

[newbeardieboi]

Ok, thank you so much for a quick response. So, Feed him again at 5ish as the lights go out at 7. Also, I plan to add more deco, the log currently in is going to be the hide. So what do you recommend to use as a basking spot?

 

[AHBD]

A basking log is best because he can move closer/farther away from the heat as he feels the need.

 

[newbeardieboi]

Okay, so do you think I could use what I have in there now?

 

[AHBD]

It's O.K, but it's much better to have a longer log/stick that can be propped across the tank so he can get closer to the heat if he wants, like what I mentioned. It can be store bought or picked up from outside. Something about the thickness of an average person's wrist and about 20" long.

 

[newbeardieboi]

Ok, does sandblasted grapevine work?

 

[AHBD]

Yes but get the longer,thick piece, not the little skinny kinds.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Important for juvies to get lots of dietary Ca and lots of live high quality insect protein (2 to 3 feeds per day as many as he will eat in 15 - 20mins at a time, stick to insects no bigger than the distance between the juvies eyes) to help them grow new bone and create new tissues. They can't do this without adequate heat , UVB and dietary Ca.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health