more enclosure questions..

[coastergirl946]

I've looked online, and I really don't like the basking platforms or half-logs with the opportunity to hide underneath them during the day (I don't like the idea of my future dragon being able to hide from his UV light for who knows how long every day.. I've seen for myself what lack of UV does to a dragon and it's not pretty).
Is a hide really necessary? Or is my assumption about UV light correct?
Anyway.. I live fairly close to a river with an adequate supply of large rocks. Would rocks from there be OK to create a basking spot as long as I bake the rocks to ensure that they are safe to use in the enclosure?
Where in the world would I get a 40 gallon breeder tank for a good price?
Is the Rep-Cal with calcium d3 good for everyday use, or is there a different brand better to dust their food offerings with?
I want to do everything right.

 

[Jess]

1. Yup, that's fine. I love finding rocks and logs for my viv. Make sure you soak it in a 1 part bleach to 10 parts water solution for about 15 minutes, and then soak it in plain water for 30 minutes so make sure all the bleach is out. Or if it fits in your oven, you can bake it at 200*F (I think?) for 2 hours. Another option is to make a DIY rock structure. It's really fun to make your own perfect viv furniture!

2. Craigslist! Another option is to go to aquarium/fish stores, and they will often have used tanks for sale for pretty cheap. My 40 gal was drilled for salt water so when the store couldn't use it anymore, they sold it to me for $30.

3. Yup, Rep-Cal is awesome. Use it 3X a week for adults, 5X a week for babies.

BTW, a normal healthy dragon won't hide so much that they won't get enough UVB, unless you have a bad light (like a Zilla or ReptiGlo) that they are trying to get away from. They know how much they need, and it's good for them to have a place to go when they are stressed out or brumating, or when they've had enough UV and need to get away from it for a while.

 

[coastergirl946]

Thanks Jess!

LOL I have more questions.. I apologize if I'm being a pain in the tail.

So basically all I would need to start is:
40gal tank with screen top (I NEED a screen top, yesterday I found a spider in my house.. :shock: OMG YUCK EWWWWW *shudder* I HATE THOSE THINGS!! and I do not want them ANYWHERE NEAR my beardie, I know they can be toxic)
Where would I find a 40gal tank? I forget what pet store it is that they have a dollar per gallon sale. I can't find them ANYWHERE online.. all I see is turtle tanks and oddly shaped aquariums (I'm in the US, in the Dayton Ohio area).

ReptiSun 10.0 tube (what size? and what lamp housing would I need?)
60, 75, and 100 watt bulbs to experiment with temps (BEFORE getting dragon, of course)
substrate (will either be paper towels or non adhesive shelf liner)
food dish
half-log from a store that doubles as a hide and as a basking spot
digital temp gauge with probe
squash, mustard greens, endive, prickly pear, crickets (I'm also seeing on beautifuldragons.com that you can feed cherries and oranges.. those yummies definitely won't last long in my house between me and my beardie! )
cricket gut loader food (what is the best?)
Is cricket drink necessary?
rep-cal with calcium + d3 to dust food with (is 3x a week sufficient for a beardie 1 year or older?)
timer for the lights
and of course, dragon.

I know I'm missing SOMETHING. :study:
What is the difference between Reptaid and Repta-Aid? Should I have one or both on hand just in case?

 

[jaymerz]

I don't know about your Reptaid and Repta-Aid question, but I do know that the store that has the dollar a gallon sales is Petco.

 

[coastergirl946]

The closest PETCO to me is in Columbus.. that's a 90 mile drive. There's a SuperPetz and a Complete Petmart about 6 miles away.. I'll just go see what they have, hopefully I can find a good 40 gallon breeder tank somewhere that doesn't have an outrageous price tag on it.

 

[Jess]

Check out these:
http://dayton.craigslist.org/pet/2268997389.html
http://dayton.craigslist.org/pet/2267124371.html (This one comes with a beardie! He looks healthy )
http://dayton.craigslist.org/for/2234297175.html

I'll be back later to answer your other questions... No time now!

 

[Jess]

-Ok, so a UVB light should cover at least 2/3 of the tank. A 24" is the biggest you can fit in a 40 gal.
-Get the plastic log hide made for tortoises/turtles. It is bigger than the real wood ones, and it won't shed bark chips. (Mine was $14 at Petco)
-I always made my own gut load with alfalfa based rabbit food, dog food, fish food, and veggies that my dragon ate. I never used special water- They can get their water from the veggies.
-3x a week is fine for adults. They don't need as much calcium as growing babies do.

I don't know about the Reptaid though, I've never used it. But I'm 99% sure it's just different brands. I would just keep a jar of baby food squash around.