New to beardies

[Lp0065]

I never had a beardie b4 and I'm about to get one after I purchase the supplies. Anyone know where I can hatchlings or some terrariums along with te supplies needed. ( what are the supplies needed? I'm still not done researching beardies)

 

[snazzyglasses]

Welcome to the forums! The info you find here won't steer you wrong

And here's a nice big list lol. I actually stole and modified it from an awesome gal (username OnlyMediocre), so the credit should go to her. But she's covered all the bases so I thought I'd use it!

Tank- A 20 gal will work for a baby; no less than a 40 gal breeder for an adult

Basking (Heat) Bulb/Fixture- you can use a regular incandescent household bulb instead of paying $20 for a "basking" bulb at a pet store. Clear or Bright White are the best. If you do get a pet store basking bulb, make sure it is not coated with Neodymium.

UVB Light/Fixture- UVB rays are super super important. Without the right UVB source a dragon will not survive. There are quite a few out there, but the ReptiSUN 10.0 or Arcadia 12% tube bulbs are the only ones proven safe for bearded dragons. No coils or compacts! (Also make sure that it's a ReptiSun and not a ReptiGlo). You can get a cheap T8 sized fixture for your ReptiSun or Arcadia at any WalMart or home improvement type store. Your UVB tube should be run at least half the length of your viv, but preferably 2/3rds or longer. Your beardie will need to be able to get 6-8" away from a ReptiSun, and about 12" away from an Arcadia (I think, may want to double check distances). It's best to mount or hang the UVB inside of the viv, since glass blocks 100% of UVB rays and screen blocks 30 to 50%.
*You can also use a MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulb), those are heat + UVB all in one. The safe MVB to use is PowerSun.

Substrate- Use tile, reptile carpet, non adhesive shelf liner, newspapers, or paper towels. No sand, woodchips, or anything loose that they could ingest. Even if the packaging claims it's digestible (cuz in all reality it probably isn't )

Thermometer- Correct temperatures are important! Make sure to use a digital thermometer w/ probe or a temp gun, since those little dials and stick-on ones are crazy inaccurate.

Basking Spot- Anything that will let your beardie get closer to the basking light, most people use a rock or log/branch (if you get something from outside, make sure to bake or boil it to get rid of anything that may be living on/in it)

Food dishes- You'll need a dish for veggies, and a dish for live feeders. Make sure they're made of something slightly durable since you'll be changing their salad on a daily basis and giving live feeders daily as well. Multiple times per day if it's a younger dragon

Fresh greens/fruits/veggies- Also known as their daily "salad" Here's an awesome color-coded list of what fruits/veggies to feed: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

Live feeders- Correctly sized crickets, Phoenix worms, Dubia roaches, etc. No mealworms!! Feeding a baby is a bit pricey, and beardie food bill will be the highest bill after start-up costs.

Calcium Supplement

Multivitamin Supplement


Also: When/if you get advice from a pet store employee or owner (especially PetSmart or PetCo!), remember to take their advice with a grain of salt. If you're unsure of something, feel free to ask on here or do extra research. Because unfortunately, pet stores are notorious for giving out inaccurate information. There are a ton of people who have bought the wrong UVB, substrate, etc, only to have to go out and get new everythings because the pet store didn't know what they were talking about.

 

[Lp0065]

Isn't 20 gal to small to regulate the temperature.

 

[Lp0065]

Can I use this one http://www.reptmart.com/p-2750-reptihabitatsuptmsup-bearded-dragon-kit-for-sale.aspx

 

[snazzyglasses]

Can I use this one http://www.reptmart.com/p-2750-reptihabitatsuptmsup-bearded-dragon-kit-for-sale.aspx

You can, but you'll need to replace that UVB, get rid of the nocturnal heat lamp, ditch the sand, and only put the strip thermometer in there if you're going to get something more accurate to measure your temps with. Also, it does depend on ambient temps but the 100W basking spot bulb will likely be too strong for a 20gallon Long. (To give you an idea, I have a 75W basking bulb on a dimmer in my 40gallon breeder tank)

Isn't 20 gal to small to regulate the temperature.

The one that you linked is a 20gal. Many people use a 20gallon Long for their babies and are perfectly fine. When the dragon grows up though, you'll need a 40gallon breeder at the smallest. Both of my adults have their own 40gallon breeder. To save on costs some people just put their baby in a 40gallon breeder right off the bat

 

[Lp0065]

Or would this one be better http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/complete-cage-packages/-/bearded-dragon-ultimate-vision-cage-setup/
I know I'm going to have to change the bedding and the thermometer bit would the lamps work

 

[vampy]

Or would this one be better http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/complete-cage-packages/-/bearded-dragon-ultimate-vision-cage-setup/
I know I'm going to have to change the bedding and the thermometer bit would the lamps work

Sadly not. The UV tube is not only a not recommended make, it's only a 5.0, which is designed for tropical animals not desert ones so won't be putting out enough UV for him.

I am unaware of any kits which come with the correct supplies for a beardie, so you're much better off buying stuff separately so you know he has the right things and so you don't have to pay for useless rubbish you'll never use.

 

[Lp0065]

O ok I was talking to a breeder n he said I can house then in racks how will they get lighting thru racks

 

[vampy]

O ok I was talking to a breeder n he said I can house then in racks how will they get lighting thru racks

Racks are normally only used by breeders to house many babies in one small space. Big UV tube lights can be mounted under the shelves along with individual basking lights, then the animals are kept in plastic tubs under the lights. They're not really intended for longterm housing of pet dragons...they need more space than that to move around in, and will greatly benefit from an enclosure where they can see and interact with you better.

 

[Lp0065]

O I see so u think its better to buy a 40 gal right off the start?

 

[Spikeshuman]

I think its a better idea. They grow so fast. I have had Spike for almost 3 months and she is 15 inches already. She would be cramped if I had gone with a 20g. I have been told that shes growing super fast.. but even at an average growth rate you could only use a 20g for a few months tops then you would need to buy a 40g or bigger anyway.

 

[Lp0065]

O do u know any online herp store that sells all the supplies needed

 

[littleassassin2]

Basking (Heat) Bulb/Fixture- you can use a regular incandescent household bulb instead of paying $20 for a "basking" bulb at a pet store. Clear or Bright White are the best. If you do get a pet store basking bulb, make sure it is not coated with Neodymium.

Why no Neodymium?

 

[jackiesmama]

lll reptile is a good place and so is dr fosters and smith> they will give you free shipping if you buy$ 50:00 or more..

 

[Lp0065]

Can I use the 36x18x12 version of this one http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016%206018%2025224&pcatid=25224