Newbie Beardie Owner

[mbrod12]

Hello everyone! I'm not only a new beardie owner but also new to the forum!



This is my little "guy" (I honestly don't really know the gender) Norbert! I've had him for three days now and I'm super excited about owning my first beardie. I do have a few questions for you pros though.

I've been dusting his crickets with calcium powder that contains D3. How many of his crickets each day should be dusted? Is there any danger to just feeding him ALL his crickets with powder on them while he's this young? He's been eating great and has even already used the bathroom without a bath. I'm mainly just concerned about the calcium.

I'm also having a few lighting issues. He's currently in a 40 gallon breeder and originally, I had a basking and UVB light over the "hot" side of the tank and a heat bulb over the "cooler" side. The temps were WAY too low on each side, so today I purchased a much stronger 125 watt heat bulb. This got the temperatures up, however the "cool" side was nearing 105 and the "warm basking" side was 80! So I've flipped the heat bulb over to the "warm" basking side. The only concern I have, is that his UVB bulb and basking bulb are now on the opposite "cooler" side of the tank, and he doesn't go over there very often. Is there any reason to be concerned about him not basking under the UVB? It's still there, but he won't be under it very often. I've attached a picture of the tank if it helps out any (don't judge on the lack of deco, my goal was to get the necessities and then proceed to decorating! )



Last one, I know baby beardies don't eat too many veggies. But my little guy has yet to touch his. Any tips? I've been offering squash, green beans and shredded carrots.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to being a member!

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. He's a cutie . I wouldn't worry about him eating veggies little ones don't really eat them. Just keep offering everyday. As for the uvb it looks like it's a coil/compact those cause eye, appetite and lethargy problems. The most recommended on here is the reptisun 10.0 Tube.

 

[mbrod12]

I'll have to look into maybe taking back the double lamp fixture and getting the long uvb bulb instead. Does he really need the "basking light" if his tank gets hot enough with the heat bulb?

Also, it looks like there are multiple wattage's for the long UVB bulbs. About what should I look at for a 40 gal? Right now I'm looking at this 24 inch bulb (the tank is 36 inches long).

http://www.petsmart.com/supplies/bulbs-lamps/zoo-med-trade-reptisun-trade-10.0-uvb-high-output-fluorescent-bulb-zid36-14928/cat-36-catid-500036?var_id=36-14928&_t=pfm%3Dsearch%26pfmvalue%3Dfaceted

Do you feel this would be alright?

 

[destiny1998]

Yep thats what I use and I have a under the cabinet light fixture from Walmart and use command hooks to mount it inside. As for the basking light I use a 75watt halogen flood bulb. So all they need is one bright white basking bulb and the right uvb

 

[mbrod12]

Thank you so much! I really want to give my beardie the best home possible, so after a quick trip to Petsmart/Walmart I returned the unnecessary double lamp fixture and grabbed a Reptisun 10.0! I even had enough money left over for some more decorations! This site is very helpful so far, and thanks again!

 

[noelerhard]

Norbert is adorable! And the new deco looks great. Good luck with Norbert.

 

[mbrod12]

Thanks! I'm rather impressed with how much the tiling and the background really brought it all together. My next investment will definitely be a temp gun! I'm noticing that the thermometers I have in there really aren't doing the job. Any good temp gun reccomendations?

 

[noelerhard]

I've only ever used Pro Exotics PE-1. It works well.

 

[destiny1998]

His set up looks good

 

[mbrod12]

Thanks everyone! Here's a picture after his first bath last night. I tried to wrap him up in a towel afterward, but he kept scrambling to my hand. I ended up having to keep my hand in there with him. It was too cute!