Looking to care for a bearded dragon..

[rafa2k]

Hey all, I do not own a bearded dragon yet. My 10 year old has been asking for one for about a year, which more than likely means I will be responsible for the dragon anyway. I look forward to learning a lot about the dragon from you experienced owners before making the commitment.

I currently have 2 Red Eared Slider turtles so I have a couple 40 gallon terrariums just laying around now that I learned the hard way those were not meant for aquatic turtles. I would really like to have everything set up and the basics learned before bringing the new pet home, as opposed to learning the hard way again.

Any pre-purchase advice, pre-set up advice, all newbie advice is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Now off to some reading on how to get started :study:

 

[jwideman]

Those terrariums may not be meant for beardies either. What are the dimensions?

 

[rafa2k]

Those terrariums may not be meant for beardies either. What are the dimensions?

Good point, the dimensions are 36"L x 18"W x 16"H it's a 40 Gallon breeder.

Here's a link to the actual product:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4070848

 

[jwideman]

That sounds very good. You should look at other people's threads, the care sheet, and continue to get advice. But I would get:
Reptisun 5.0 tube (not coil) if getting a baby, then switch to 10.0 when replacing it, or use the 10.0 from the start if getting an adult.
Fixture for it. Any will do, BUT you want to make sure it handles the T8 tube and can go inside the tank. If you use one that goes on top, you have to make sure a) you have a screen on top and b) the lizard can get close enough to it.
I'd get a 24" tube, because I don't think a 36" will fit in a fixture that can fit in that tank. But if it does fit, I'd do that instead. Anyway, need some way to set the fixture in the tank so that it hangs low enough - or provide an elevated enough basking area - so the lizard can get within 12" of the UVB.
I would get digital thermometers with probes. Either one for each end of the tank, or a single unit that can read two locations. I like the one BigAppleHerps sells, because it has a sensor on the unit, plus a probe, and records the minimum/maximum temps. I can look at what the temps were while I was out or asleep.
Once the probes are in place, time to add heat. I'd say start with a 100w clear incandescent bulb and a clamp lamp. If you can try different clamp lamps before you commit, that would be best. Otherwise, I'd just get one that isn't too big but can support 150w. Then change bulbs until you can get the temps over 100F, but under 110F.
If it gets under 70F at night, add another clamp lamp and a 60w ceramic heater.

 

[rafa2k]

That sounds very good. You should look at other people's threads, the care sheet, and continue to get advice. But I would get:
Reptisun 5.0 tube (not coil) if getting a baby, then switch to 10.0 when replacing it, or use the 10.0 from the start if getting an adult.
Fixture for it. Any will do, BUT you want to make sure it handles the T8 tube and can go inside the tank. If you use one that goes on top, you have to make sure a) you have a screen on top and b) the lizard can get close enough to it.
I'd get a 24" tube, because I don't think a 36" will fit in a fixture that can fit in that tank. But if it does fit, I'd do that instead. Anyway, need some way to set the fixture in the tank so that it hangs low enough - or provide an elevated enough basking area - so the lizard can get within 12" of the UVB.
I would get digital thermometers with probes. Either one for each end of the tank, or a single unit that can read two locations. I like the one BigAppleHerps sells, because it has a sensor on the unit, plus a probe, and records the minimum/maximum temps. I can look at what the temps were while I was out or asleep.
Once the probes are in place, time to add heat. I'd say start with a 100w clear incandescent bulb and a clamp lamp. If you can try different clamp lamps before you commit, that would be best. Otherwise, I'd just get one that isn't too big but can support 150w. Then change bulbs until you can get the temps over 100F, but under 110F.
If it gets under 70F at night, add another clamp lamp and a 60w ceramic heater.

Thank you so much for all the detail. I did read the care sheet and wrote a bunch of stuff down to start "window shopping" for lamps and bulbs. I really appreciate you taking the time to post this, it is very helpful. I do have the screen for terrarium and I was planning on looking for a fixture to hang inside. I have a digital thermometer that I use to manually check the shaded area and the basking area for my turts but I will definitely look into the BigAppleHerps one to permanently mount for the beardy's habitat.

 

[rafa2k]

So I was at Petsmart yesterday pricing stuff out and I saw the beardies. It's so sad. One is really big, obviously the alpha, the other 2 are small and lethargic. I really considered buying the small ones to rescue them but I don't have the habitat set up yet. I'm pretty sure I will be back to get the runt of the group and save his life!