vagrant
New member
I created an account here quite a while ago while doing my lurking stuff for a friend of mine, but I've been considering getting a dragon for myself more and more. As of right now I have 3 ball pythons and a pair of crested geckos, been keeping the snakes for almost two years and the geckos for about a year and a half. I had a couple questions and also plan to do less specific lurking to gain general info. When I'm not reading about herps or taking care of my own, I usually draw, play video games, and work. I plan to go back to school and get certified as a veterinary technician/assistant, but need to save up a little $$$ before I do that.
Been doing a lot of reading on UVB in general (lots of diurnal reptiles require it, comes up a lot in browsing research) and I most often see Reptisun 10s suggested, but also came across the sticky here on Arcadia T-5 stuff. Since I only plan to have 1 beardie as a pet (I'll be busy with BP breeding methinks) cost is less of an issue, but is there a source for fixtures and T-5 bulbs that's easiest to use here in the states?
Enclosure wise I think I've found what I'm looking for, is 36 L x 18 W x 17 H with a screen top big enough for an adult beardie? I'm going with acrylic rather than a glass tank because I'm not fond of disinfecting heavy enclosures, total PITA, but I don't know if I should go with something a bit wider so that it gives the lizard more turning/running room (if it happens to grow 20" then the enclosure would be thinner than the animal is long!). There's a model that's 24" wide so I'm just trying to feel it out.
And as far as diet goes I know crickets are usually a staple, but I'm not terribly fond of keeping them. Does it do beardies any harm on a diet of various worms (along with greens of course)? Again, cost isn't so much of a concern because I don't have plans to get more than one (yet... This is how I started with BPs). I figure it'd be a mix of horn, silk, and phoenix worms. Is that alright? I'll do crickets if I have to though
That's what I've got in my brain so far... Sorry it's so long winded! I probably wouldn't get one until the end of this coming summer, so there's plenty of time for more reading and getting ready. I'll also do more looking around on the forums here so sorry also if there's easy to answer newb questions. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute in the future, this seems like a great community. I'm usually wandering around on BP.net a lot too and I'll tap my resources there. Look forward to getting involved!
Been doing a lot of reading on UVB in general (lots of diurnal reptiles require it, comes up a lot in browsing research) and I most often see Reptisun 10s suggested, but also came across the sticky here on Arcadia T-5 stuff. Since I only plan to have 1 beardie as a pet (I'll be busy with BP breeding methinks) cost is less of an issue, but is there a source for fixtures and T-5 bulbs that's easiest to use here in the states?
Enclosure wise I think I've found what I'm looking for, is 36 L x 18 W x 17 H with a screen top big enough for an adult beardie? I'm going with acrylic rather than a glass tank because I'm not fond of disinfecting heavy enclosures, total PITA, but I don't know if I should go with something a bit wider so that it gives the lizard more turning/running room (if it happens to grow 20" then the enclosure would be thinner than the animal is long!). There's a model that's 24" wide so I'm just trying to feel it out.
And as far as diet goes I know crickets are usually a staple, but I'm not terribly fond of keeping them. Does it do beardies any harm on a diet of various worms (along with greens of course)? Again, cost isn't so much of a concern because I don't have plans to get more than one (yet... This is how I started with BPs). I figure it'd be a mix of horn, silk, and phoenix worms. Is that alright? I'll do crickets if I have to though
That's what I've got in my brain so far... Sorry it's so long winded! I probably wouldn't get one until the end of this coming summer, so there's plenty of time for more reading and getting ready. I'll also do more looking around on the forums here so sorry also if there's easy to answer newb questions. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute in the future, this seems like a great community. I'm usually wandering around on BP.net a lot too and I'll tap my resources there. Look forward to getting involved!
