Hello,
How did you make out getting Khyber all set up? Try not to panic over the substrate just make sure you get rid of it though. Just a suggestion...I recently put in reptile carpet in my tank and it is easy to clean and is also washable. I used to use shelf liner. You can also use tile which looks nice but until you are able to get something different just line the bottom with papertowel. If you think he swallowed some substrate just keep an eye on him and make sure he is pooping. If you are worried about him having an impaction in the gut from the substrate or is having trouble passing poo you can put him in a warm (not hot)
bath up to his armpits (always supervise him) and gently massage the right side from armpit to vet which should help him out. If you are having trouble with him please get back to us.
Were you able to get the proper UVB lighting..were you able to get a Reptisun 10.0 tube flourescent bulb?
Remember no coil or compact bulbs as they have been known to cause eye problems. The UVB is really important because it helps him absorb calcium.
How are you making out with the tank temps? What size is your tank? The UVB tube light will not give off heat so you can use regular household bulbs to get the temps up but may have to play around with different wattages or may need more than 1 to get the temps correct. (I am from Canada so I need more than one bulb to keep temps up since the ambient temp in the house is much cooler than it is down in Texas!)
Were you able to get a digital probe thermometer? I here on the site you can pick up a good one at Walmart. (I got mine from Canadian Tire but you won't have this store there). When taking temps with a digital thermometer the probe must be on the basking spot for that area and let it sit for about 40min to allow it to get the temp. I actually use two digital thermometers, one I always keep to measure the basking spot and one I have set up to monitor the ambient temp on the cool side (75-80).
Do you have calcium with D3 (no phosphorous) powder supplement? Do you have the multi vitamin? Good supplements to use are the Rep-Cal calcium with D3 but no phosphorous. A good multivitamin to use is herptivite multivitamin. Another member will have to give you details on how much supplements and how often since my dragon is only 6 months old and I actually have to give him liquid calcium supplement (he gets it 3X a week and the multivitamin 1X a week). The supplements are put on feeders and greens..can be coated like shak n' bake in a bag before feeding.
What do you feed you beardie for feeders and greens? I am glad you found the beautiful dragons site for the list of foods...it was really helpful for me. You want to watch out for greens that are high oxylates and groitegens. High oxylates for greens inlcude parsley, bok choy (groitegen), kale and spinach. You want to feed these only on occasion. Try and stick to the foods shown for staples.
Your beardie likely will not drink water from a dish (mine doesn't) they do get some moisture from their foods (keep your greens misted so they get some water that way), you can also try misting him (outside of the tank to prevent humidity from rising)to see if he will lick droplets from his nose. I sometimes use a water filled syringe to get mine to take water. Giving him regular bathes will also help to prevent dehydration.
Let us know how you are making out....Sorry if I seem pushy with my questions it is only that I want you to start out on the right foot. Unfortunately I didn't and I will have a "special needs" beardie now for the duration of his life (he is my first and only beardie). If only I knew then what I know now! There have been a lot of vet bills, stress and heartache but I got lots of help from this website! Anyway..I do not want to scare you just want to make sure you get all set up correctly so that you have a healthy happy beardie
Danielle
