Need help please!!!!!

[Sde352]

Ok we bought or Bearded Dragon (chomper) about a week ago from Petsmart. I have learned from reading on here that Petsmart told me a lot of stuff wrong. We ended up buying a Zilla starter pack...the one with the 40 gallon tank. It came with the lighting. My problem is I have been keeping track of the temp on the basking side and it has never gotten over 90 degrees. Chomper is eating pretty good and looks really healthy but he pretty much stays in his basking spot unless he is chasing crickets. Is my temp to low and should I go buy a new bulb and if so any suggestions. Thanks for the help.

 

[Rflan]

I bought mine from Petsmart too just a couple of days ago, the setup they told me had my basking spot around 85 degrees. So I was confused. I went out and bought a more powerful basking bulb and now its gets to around 99-101. I think its ok now since he doesn't climb all the way to the top of his basking spot like he used to. Still not perfect but it was better than it was before. Mine also just sits on its basking spot unless chasing crickets. I that is normal since there isn't much else to do in the tank.

 

[Dalton]

Ahh, the wonderful people of Petsmart.

Do you have a uvb tube or coiled light? If a coiled light, then you'll need to get a fixture and tube for a repti-sun 10.0. This fixture usually works great, and is cheap too, along with this tube.

Fixture: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-America-24-Fluorescent-Grow-Light-Fixture/16879945

Light: http://www.petmountain.com/product/...42-504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-bulb.html
Make sure he/she can get within 6-10 inches of the UVB

You want a basking spot of 105-110F

Are you dusting the crickets with any supplements?

 

[Sde352]

I am dusting the cricketts with Calcium w/ D3. I plan on going out tomorrow and buying new lights. I should of just bought everything separate instead of the put together package. I have pretty much had to or going to have to replace everything in the kit any way. I hope this works.

I have a coiled light....That is suppose to be UVB are they no good either? The kit came with three lights...1) Zilla 150 watt (blue) basking light 2) coil UVB light that doesnt seem to put off much light 3) a 50 watt night light. The temp in the basking area has never been over 90 and at night it gets down some where around 65 degrees.

Question? I have a forty gallon breeder tank, What size ReptiSun 10.0 light should I get for my tank? Also What other lights will I need if I buy that? Should I keep the night light the same and the coiled light and does that ReptiSun work good enough for his basking light. I am so confused to what lights I need now. Any help would be wonderful......

Oh yeah I guess that ReptiSun light will set on top of the screen or does it go inside the tank....LOL

 

[Dalton]

Sorry I took a while to notice this.

Anywho, a 24" tube would be fine for a 40 gal breeder. You have to (well, not have to, it's just a much better idea) mount it inside the tank (just the uvb) as the screen filters out half of the UVB the beardie needs. I can give you a list of the stuff I use in my viv.

I use a 150w basking light (http://www.petmountain.com/product/...72/zoo-med-reptile-uva-basking-spot-lamp.html) on a dimmer to monitor temps.

I also use both the fixture and light I linked above (24")

I use ceramic tile as a substrate, easy to clean and holds heat at night. Beardies can see the night bulbs, so those are pretty much useless for em. If you need supplemental heat at night (the temps can drop down to 60-65 at night) you can use a Ceramic Heat Emitter. They screw into your usual light fixture like the night bulb would.

I use a bunch of driftwood for a basking spot. What are you using to monitor temps? Stick on thermometer or digital?

EDIT: The coiled lights are infamous for causing eye problems in beardies, and the reptisun will replace the coiled. As said, the night light is useless, sadly. Sorry D:

Sorry to make ya buy everything over, Petsmart people rarely know anything about the animals they sell, sadly.

 

[Sde352]

Ok thanks but where and how would I mount that big light inside the tank? I have no problem buying everything I want to make sure I am doing this correctly.

And what wattage bulb should I get for his basking light should I stick with 150

to moniter the temp it came with two different temp and humidity, they just stick on the side of tank probably no good either huh...lol

Thanks

 

[Dalton]

haha, sorry, but yeah, the stick on ones can be off by 20 degrees >.<

40 breeders are like 40 inches long I believe, so if you just mount the fixture on the back using command hooks/industrial velcro you should be fine. You could also cut and bend a clothes hanger. Like this: http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=159383 scroll down to Tonytank's post. You could possibly get the light at a petsmart/petco, but more likely a reptile supply store. You can also order one online at http://www.petmountain.com/product/...42-504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-bulb.html.

As for thermometer you can get a 12$ in/out thermo/hygrometer at walmart (brand is Acu-rite). The fixture that I linked earlier can also be found at walmart. The 150w should be fine, you can either get a rheostat (thermostat) or you can adjust the height of the fixture above the tank to alter basking temps. shoot for 105-110F. I would get the basking bulb I linked as well while you're at it. Sorry to spend your money >_<

 

[Sde352]

Thank you very much for the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[Dalton]

No problem, that's what we're here for! Keep us posted on his/her progress. Do you have any pictures of the little guy?

 

[Sde352]

Yes I have pics...need to learn how to upload pics.....went today bought a better basking light and temp is at 100 much better. I also bought the light and fixter you recommended. Have not put it in yet will get that worked out tomorrow. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[Dalton]

I'd get it all in as soon as you can, but a couple days without UVB isn't gonna hurt him. Good to know you everything is golden for your little guy, If ya give me a second I'll find the guide on pictures.

 

[Dalton]

Found it, here ya go. If you need help with anything else, just ask!

http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=152184

 

[Sde352]

Ok.....I think I finally got the viv fixed and taken care of. I have a new basking light, and the new Reptisun 10.0, 24" light installed inside the tank using industrial Velcro. Now Chomper should have no complaints. Chomper pooped on my hand today lol....I guess she is getting comfortable. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dalton]

Awesome, no problem.

 

[Dalton]

Awesome, no problem.