New to beardies and reptiles in general, need help.

[ynevar]

What size of crickets do you order? How old is your BD? I'm planning on ordering from these guys next week and I can't decide what size to order. My BD is about 11" long (maybe around 4 or 5 months... I really don't know though). I usually get the med/lg size from Petsmart. But since I'll be buying 1000 and they will grow I was thinking of ordering the two week size but wasn't sure. Since you order from them I thought I'd see what size you order

I guess I would go with 2 week. That gives you some grow room for the crickets. If they are too small then try the three week the next order. I also do the micro-superworms from them which are pretty economical. Just make sure you order some bran substrate for them to live in if you order some. They are very small. I try to mix up the feeders a bit, mostly crickets, but add some worms in there for variety (silkworms-I buy a cup of baby silkworms from Mulberry, the micro-superworms I get them by 500 and keep them in a sour cream container with no lid, they can't climb out, Phoenix worms which I get from either Mulberry or phoenixworm.com)

 

[foolsgold]

Looking at beardeddragon.co I made up a 'shopping list' on their site and it came in under $115. Here's the list:
Professional Concentrated Disinfectant (.75/oz sample on sale) 1oz makes 1gal of cleaner
50w/75w basking bulb 2 pack $10
Metium 8.5" Dome Fixture $15 (check Lowes/homedepot. Make sure it has a ceramic socket rated to 150W bulbs)
Reptisun 10 UVB T8 florescent tube 18" $27 (length depends on your tank size, have it cover 1/2-3/4 of the tank)
Fluorescent T8 light fixture $10
Organic Multivitamin Powder no D3 40g jar $3.50
Calcium Complex Powder w/ D3 3oz $5
Stainless Steel Bowl 5" x2 $11 (one to wash, one to use)
Straight Feeding Tongs 12" $5
Digital Infrared Thermometer $18
Digital Thermometer w/ Probe $7 (may want to get two, one basking spot, one for cool side. Not that needed if you get the infrared thermometer though IMO)
Total: $115
Anything on the list (light fixtures, bowls, thermometers, basking light) that you can find else where for less but =/> quality feel free to get. The UV light, and the supplements I would stick w/ them and not sub.
Petco is having a sale, TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY, their aquariums $1/gal so you can get a 40gal BREEDER tank (larger footprint then regular tanks) for $40. Call around and you can get a tank that you won't need to replace for $40

As far as feeders where do you live? There are lots of bug breeders and you would normally want to go with one closer to you. I have one up the road that is great for my Leopard Geckos.

 

[Torque1788]

I live close to Dayton Ohio and around here there are very few pet stores or places to get anything for reptiles.

 

[foolsgold]

Awesome. I'm in Cincinnati. You should check out grubco.com they are in Fairfield oh and I've always been happy with their service. They have superworms, crickets and wax worms. While I've bnever USD them they also breed maggots and there was a discussion about how good/bad they would be for dragons down in the feeders forum. Just do a search for grubco and I'm sure it will pull up.

 

[Torque1788]

Grubco is closer but premium crickets is $5 cheaper per 1000 crickets. I appreciate all the information from everyone and thanks to everyone I'm getting more and more excited every day it gets closer. Is there anything I should be concerned about regarding bearded dragons.

 

[foolsgold]

Yes. The most dangerous thing to remember is you can't stop at just one! :shock: :shock:
Lol substrate, lighting, feeding.... Get those three down and you're over the worst of it.

 

[RoscoTheBeardie]

Grubco is closer but premium crickets is $5 cheaper per 1000 crickets. I appreciate all the information from everyone and thanks to everyone I'm getting more and more excited every day it gets closer. Is there anything I should be concerned about regarding bearded dragons.

I can't think of anything really to be concerned about as long as the cost of feeding them doesn't concern you :wink: Only thing I can think of off the top of my head is if you all travel a lot or anything like that. I know some vets do boarding. Around here there isn't anyone who does boarding so I have to make sure I have people available to me for beardie sitting... for instance we have an upcoming trip and I'm having to bring our beardie to a family members house for them to babysit.... our cat is easier to deal with, LOL! :lol:

 

[Torque1788]

Luckily I don't travel ever and if I do its only for a couple hours at a time and that's only on my days off. As for the feeding I know the price of crickets and all the other food supplies but what would you guys and gals say your average monthly food cost is for a baby beardie?

 

[RoscoTheBeardie]

My quick guess is about $60 a month since at this time I have to buy live food from the petstore. I assume that will go down when I can buy online.

 

[DecoratedDragons]

i am probably repeating what mosy have said. First off to say the lighting.heat, and substrate is most important. I keep mine to 3 temp zones. Basking side with a hammock is up to 110deg. Middle is 90deg. Cool side is 80deg. I run a 24"10.0 uvb dead center with a basking rock that is 10" from the source. Do not use sand!!! Make sure vivarium humidity stays low so i recommend a temp gun and hygrometer to set up home. Now to feeding make sure your food has been gutloaded for proper nutrition for your dragon. Do not feed food wider than between the eyes of the dragon or impactations can occur. I use a 6 day a week vitamin and a 1 day a week vitamin. I feed crickets during the day and an hour before bed time they get dubia roaches. Vegeies are offered during the 13hr day. Do not leave crickets in the home at night they will harm your dragons!!! All food is removed from mine when its lights out time. I run timers on a 13hr on 11 hr off schedule. Our dragons get misted once or twice a day and once a week a bath or pool time outside, which they love the natural sun. Cleaning, I use chlorohexide gluconate to sanitize home. Other products are available. This solution was recommended from breeders in my area. Very important to let your dragon de-stress to its new enviroment. During this time watch your dragon and learn its behavior, they will communicate in their own way. When mine see me they know its dubia roach time and come running to the front of home waiting for their dinner treat of its so cute!! My wife feeds crickets during the day so she doenst get the excitement so much. Oh i almost forgot i allow my dragons time to warm up for an hour before food it offered. Usually in that time they bask and have their morning poop. I am sure i have missed something so if any questions dont hesitate to ask..

 

[ynevar]

Hmmmm.... I am buying for two, so you can probably halve my number? About 130.00, maybe a little more. I bought some at the local pet store too, when in a pinch in between cricket shipments. And that costs an arm and a leg. Keep in mind that includes a large number of Phoenix worms, silk worms, some micro superworms and crickets and cricket food. It would be less if it were just crickets.

I am ordering in the 2000 bulk crickets now. It is just easier and I never have to worry about running out. Which, given the fact that ten dozen crickets cost me 20.00 here, I am NOT going to run out... no way!!!

Gotta love bulk crickets! I got over my fear of the things fast when it came down to hmmm am I going to spend 300.00 to feed these beautiful dragons or will I spend 50.00 on the same amount. It was a no brainer for me and I was like I need to get over this fear. NEED to. I can do this. I can do this. I DID IT!

 

[Torque1788]

**UPDATE** I went and got my beardie today and he is very happy in his new home. We named him mushu. After taking everyone's advice on here I managed to ge him a much better habitat for a third of the price and it was in a kit at petsmart so it worked out in my favor. As soon as I figure out how I will post pictures of him for everyone to see.

 

[RoscoTheBeardie]

That is great!! Enjoy your newest addition!!! We are still working on getting a great set up for ours but he has grown tons and we love him!! 8)