juvenile dragon wont eat crickets but will eat superworms

[mgmatt]

She works at my local exotic pet store. Locally owned shop

 

[KarrieRee]

I hate to say this but we hear so many horror stories of people following Petsmart and Petcos advice that by the time they get here their dragon is about dead or very sick------------ first you will need to upgrade your tank very soon -- he will not be able to stay in that tank --- you can look for tanks on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace --- you want a tank that has doors that open from front not top - a 40 gallon is ok but the bigger the tank the better --- please beware of buying things you dont need --- like night lites the heat pad was a waste--- you need a Infrared heat gun to get accurate temps - you can get them from Walmart or Home Depot etc... $10-- but the most crucial thing is that UVB --- the better the UVB the better your dragon is gonna be-- if not he will not digest his food properly and develop MBD-- and if you find another tank on Craigslist beware of getting another dragon too - dragons cannot be housed together --- they will kill each other
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

then she should know that a dragon needs a bigger tank and UVB
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

It's actually 30 gallon aquarium. This isn't Petco or PetSmart or chain pet store.

 

[KarrieRee]

She should still know that bearded dragons need UVB and a good one- this is why your little guy is not eating - he has a little way of digesting his food - granted the basking light is helping but he needs the UVB - if you dont want him to get sick I would suggest you invest in one ASAP--- others on here are going to tell you the same thing-- he is going to develop MBD if you dont get one-- I have suggested what is recommended but I would get it in the tank as soon as you can --- his health will continue to decline--- please dont get anymore advice from the woman at the reptile store - she shouldnt even be selling them if she doesnt know how to take care of them ---
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

will get one tomorrow . what are the temperatures i should keep this at?

 

[mgmatt]

this also a mega-ray bulb not sure if that helps you.

 

[KarrieRee]

Basking area should be at 90-105 babies like it warmer -- UVB does not give off heat- it is strictly for the rays -- like the sun--- you wont find a Arcadia in a 18" fixture hood --- if you plan on upgrading you can get the Reptisun 10 T 5 -- it is a good bulb and you can get them in 18" but I would go longer -- your tank is a 30 gallon so a Arcadia 22" would be good or 24"-- if you cant find them in your local store you can order them off a website called reptilesplus.com or lightyourreptiles.com --
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

I dont know what a mega ray bulb is--
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

its the brand of the bulb she gave me

 

[mgmatt]

what other lights will need?

 

[KarrieRee]

The only lights you need are the basking bulb and the UVB --- I am posting pics of my tank --

the light on the right side of tank is a reg House hold bulb for light --- the one in the middle is a CHE also called a Heat Emitter -- only heat no light -- I live in MN and its keeps tank around 70 degrees at nite -- its on 24/7 during winter and off during summer

Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

how many watts for the basking bulb for my tank

 

[KarrieRee]

that is trial and error -- what are they at now? - do you have a Infrared heat gun ? How are you taking temps now? You can get a infrared heat gun from Walmart or Home Depot for $10 --- get your temp before doing anything -- the heat gun will give you the most accurate temp-- but you want the basking temp between 90-105 -- if its a little warmer for him being he is a baby thats ok--
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

I forgot to mention that the lights should be on for 12 hrs and off for 12 hrs -- some people use timers I dont I do mine manually cuz I am home all the time -- I work from home so its easy for me to do -- Hiccup is in my office of my home --
Karrie