New owner and very stressed!

[Maize]

I am still trying to get to Walmart for my thermometer, so no temps for you yet...but, I wanted to mention that the spray vitamins and calcium are spray for the food, not the bearded dragon. So have you heard anything about those? I have been spraying his crickets each meal, but is sounds like I only need to spray them 5 meals a week with calcium and 2 times a week with the vitamins.....that is....if the spray is ok???

phoenix worms I would definitly suggest you to get. They are loaded with Calcium 8,155ppm when crickets are 345ppm. I know longer use crickets cause they refuse them. I actually started a dubia roach colony. Plus crickets will smell after awhile, and I mean smell! Having them eat roaches is good cause they have more meat to shell ratio...which means more protien! Also I would suggest not to feed mealworms, the shell is hard to digest with young beardies. You can find alot of great dealers for crickets, roaches, worms, etc... You just have to find who has the best prices! Here are a couple in case you didnt know.

Theroachguy.com
aaronpauling.com
premiumcrickets.com
wormman.com
silkwormshop.com
phoenixworm.com
petmountain.com

As far as the vit spray. I have never used it, just Rep Cal w\d3 and herptivite. Please remember that you can over vitamin them... I myself only dust them 5 days. 3 Days calcium and 2 days vitamin.

Also give baths! They love them and its a great way to keep hydrated.

You will find that this site is unbelievable! You meet great people and they truly love helping. I'm new to this whole thing aswell. I have two beardies Maize 3 1/2mths and Kai 3mths. You also meet alot of breeders which are also very knowledgable.

As far as how much they eat. I was informed allow them to eat as much in 15min. they will stop eating when they are full.

Post some pics!

 

[bjweb]

So here is another question I feel like its a dumb one, but here goes....

I have the dome lights that sit on top of my screen cover. They are a pain to take on and off to get the cover off. What do you use for your reptisun and basking light. Do you use a lamp stand or is there something else that might work better with my 20L tank?

 

[Maize]

No Q is silly!

I use a Stand for the dome lights fixture, here is the exact one http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-light-fixtures/510303/zoo-med-reptile-lamp-stand.html I love it, you can put whereever needed and howlow or high if you ever need to adjust temps.

As far as the fixture I use this http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-light-fixtures/517291/zoo-med-reptisun-terrarium-hood.html
I have to takemine off when I need to get inside the tank but it doesnt really bother me.

I use a household flood bulb for the basking spot. You will need toplay with wattages to make sure you get right temps on the basking spot. Just save reciepts in case you need to return.

Also, I was recently turned onto the CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter). This priveds more heat if needed but wont give of any light! I love it...thanks Janie!

 

[Embee]

Hi Brittany,

As Maize said, NO SILLY QUESTIONS! In fact, the question you asked about the lights are the very details that I tend to get confused and caught up in myself!

We are using a MVB now that our girl is in a larger enclosure and like Maize we use an adjustable stand which is really nice to have. When we had her in the starter tank with the ReptiSun tube plus basking bulb, we had them on top of the screen which is sort of a pain, I get that. If I'd kept that set up, I imagine I'd have gotten as stand for the dome, and perhaps mounted the UVB IN the viv, like many do, so long as beardie can only get to within 6-8 inches of course.

Hope that helps!

Em

 

[Embee]

Thank you once again for your input on UVB lighting. I am going to order the Repti Sun today. You are right. I just shouldn't take the chance with something bad happening to our little critter Better to be safe than sorry! Thank you both for your help!

Brittney

You are most welcome. I believe you and dragon will be very happy you went ahead with the ReptiSun. It is a sad thing how many lights out there are not of good quality and can actually be harmful to beardies. *sigh* One important thing I've learned here is that when it comes to UVB for beardies? Type and brand matter.

I totally understand the expense thing though. I have a shelf full of "suspect equipment" in the basement and every time I walk by it I get grumpy. Grrrrr. Ironically, that first [unsatisfactory] enclosure, all pet store recommended, cost us more than TWICE what our new enclosure did with all the right equipment. :roll:

The best,
Em

 

[Maize]

In addition to Embee response.

Before you buy anything, just come on this site and ask around. Everyone will help you find what you need! I wish I knew about this site before I got everything. I wasted so much money on things I should have never gotten. I just wish I saved the receipts!

For example, my youngest beardie wasnt eating and loosing weight fast! I came on this site and spoke to a couple people, they guided me through everything, even helping me after I went and seen the vet. I'm doing what the vet said and what friends I made on this site told me what to do. And now 3 days later after the Vet, the youngster is eating better! Now all I need to do is hope they stop giving me such a problem when trying to feed medicine from a Syringe. LOL