Hi everybody,
I have not yet purchased my first beardy, but am in the planning process to get one. Ive been doing a fair amount of research, and stumbled upon this forum. It also raised a few more questions and made me reconsider a few parts. I wanted to see if I could give a run down of the environment I am building then prompt for some input on getting my first BD.
Aquarium
I have a 55gal Aquarium that is 18L x 26w x17H. Is this ok for an adult BD? It seems to be a little taller and shorter side to side than the typical setup.
I had 4 inches or sand to lower the height a little, but after reading the horror stories I tried to sift through it. I realized how many small pebbles were in the play sand and it would need to be filtered. I currently have maybe 1/4 inch as its not very fast to filter. Is this too little? Or would sand not be ok for a young BD?
I have not yet picked a platform and am concerned grabbing a log from a recently cut tree having bark which might break off and get lodged in the BDs intestines. Is this concern valid? Or should I just get over it and pay a few dollars to a pet store?
Lighting
I have 2 workshop lamps and am confused on which way to go for bulbs. I read on another community that self-ballasted (sp?) mercury vapor lamps were the way to go to ensure uva/uvb as well as a main heat source. I was going to go for one of these and a regular compact light bulb for the cool side. Now I am reading on here that Reptisun 10 is the way to go hands down. If this is the case, can the other sides bulb still be a 7w compact house light (equivalent of 60w)? That is another question I had, when guides keep suggesting wattage for the cool side, is it ok to go with the equivalent compact? I know the light is not the same, but do the beardies care?
-btw, timers and thermometers already set-
Feeders
I have my feeder cage up and running, but the crickets will be 2 feet away all day chirping, will this stress a BD? Also, how difficult is it to get and start a silk worm colony? I understand that is another good feeder (and I have mulberry trees). Is there an alternative I should look into instead?
Thanks,
Austin
I have not yet purchased my first beardy, but am in the planning process to get one. Ive been doing a fair amount of research, and stumbled upon this forum. It also raised a few more questions and made me reconsider a few parts. I wanted to see if I could give a run down of the environment I am building then prompt for some input on getting my first BD.
Aquarium
I have a 55gal Aquarium that is 18L x 26w x17H. Is this ok for an adult BD? It seems to be a little taller and shorter side to side than the typical setup.
I had 4 inches or sand to lower the height a little, but after reading the horror stories I tried to sift through it. I realized how many small pebbles were in the play sand and it would need to be filtered. I currently have maybe 1/4 inch as its not very fast to filter. Is this too little? Or would sand not be ok for a young BD?
I have not yet picked a platform and am concerned grabbing a log from a recently cut tree having bark which might break off and get lodged in the BDs intestines. Is this concern valid? Or should I just get over it and pay a few dollars to a pet store?
Lighting
I have 2 workshop lamps and am confused on which way to go for bulbs. I read on another community that self-ballasted (sp?) mercury vapor lamps were the way to go to ensure uva/uvb as well as a main heat source. I was going to go for one of these and a regular compact light bulb for the cool side. Now I am reading on here that Reptisun 10 is the way to go hands down. If this is the case, can the other sides bulb still be a 7w compact house light (equivalent of 60w)? That is another question I had, when guides keep suggesting wattage for the cool side, is it ok to go with the equivalent compact? I know the light is not the same, but do the beardies care?
-btw, timers and thermometers already set-
Feeders
I have my feeder cage up and running, but the crickets will be 2 feet away all day chirping, will this stress a BD? Also, how difficult is it to get and start a silk worm colony? I understand that is another good feeder (and I have mulberry trees). Is there an alternative I should look into instead?
Thanks,
Austin
