Hi I just got a bearded dragon. He was previously a friends but he couldn't take care of him because he was so busy so he asked me if I could. Ive never owned a beardie but I have done so much research. I've had him for about two and a half days and he eats barely anything not even a full cricket. He ate a couple meal worms thats it. He will drink water that I drop on his nose. He stays on the basking side of the tank all day and he does a lot of glass surfing. Im just worried about his health because of his eating. If anyone has any tips or help please let me know. thank you.
Let's go over the tank lighting - what size is the tank? UVB brand and bulb coil or tube where in the tank is it top of screen or inside the tank? Basking temps what are they and how are you taking them ? NO stickons- they are inaccurate--
Karrie
The tank is a 10 gallon. I uploaded a picture of the usb lamp.i will be getting a probe thermometer because I do have a stick on one right now but temp always reads from 95-100 on basking side. Sometimes it'll get down to 92 on basking side.
A 10 gallon tank and how old is the dragon? If he is older than a baby that tank is way to small we recommend nothing smaller than a 40 gallon and that is minimum- we recommend 75-120 gallon-- you pic did not come thru please try again - after pic is uploaded click on XIMG at the top of the message box then click on the picture it should post+-
Karrie
Ok it is very hard to get correct good temps in small tanks so get your digital probe and you want basking surface temps 105-110- the UVB your using is it a coil ? It would be in a dome like the basking light? Look on the bulb it will say the brand and bulb 10.0 13 watt if it's a coil etc-- you need to start looking for a bigger tank 40+ and up- your going to need to upgrade your UVB as well-- he will not stay in that 10 gallon long at all-- he is going thru relocation stress right now-- but you have got to get your lighting situated first- that is the most important thing in that tank
Karrie
it is a coil. It says max .7 watt. 50W for one lamp and 70W for the other. I thought it was just relocation stress but I wanted to be sure. I try not to force feed him im just scared he's nit eating enough. Thank you for the help though !!
Get your basking temp to where it needs to be and start looking for another tank - you can look on FB marketplace or Craigslist if you find a tank there look for one w/ front doors- it will need to be sanitized real good w/ zoo meds wipe out or some F10 it's a vet disinfectant - you can find it in eBay
Karrie
Lol that 10 gallon is going to be a fancy hat or something for him in a few days because they grow FAST and there’s no way he’s fitting inside of that thing ?
Definitely a larger tank would be a good idea for sure! Feel free to post pictures of your new
tank & setup once you do get it all situated.
Which UVB light are you planning on getting?