I for one made the very expensive mistake of purchasing the "complete lizard package" from a local pet store. After visiting this site I realized just how poor of a set-up this is for your new bearded dragon or other reptile. After purchasing 2 ReptiGlo coiled bulbs for $35 each only to toss them in the garbage I then repeated the mistake by purchasing the ReptiSun coiled mini only to toss that after my dragon started hiding and not eating. Once the bulb was removed he immediately returned to normal. Thats over $100 worth of bulbs in the garbage!
DO NOT PURCHASE THESE PET STORE KITS!
Another reason to not purchase is because they all come with a lighting hood that only holds compact bulbs when the only bulb you should use is the ReptiSun 10.0 tube bulb. Many of the pet store package tanks are irregular in size so once you do figure out that basically all your bulbs and lighting hood is not healthy for your pet it is very expense to change everything to make it healthy. Also, I found out that the tank I purchased was only good for a short period of time anyway (it will soon be used to raise crickets). Thats another $179 for a cricket box! I could have found a very nice 50 gallon used for that price here in Florida.
FIX FOR LIGHTING
Walmart has undercounter lighting that you can purchase in all sizes for under $10. My starter tank was 18 inches. I found the light (remove the shield) for $6.99 at Walmart and ordered a T8 Reptisun 10.0 18 inch bulb for $18 from Linens and things. So for $25 you now have your UVB lighting. My other suggestion is that you find a nice used tank if your on a budget. CraigsList is a great place for that.
Moral of the story? Buy your tanks and lighting before you purchase your pet. DO NOT let the pet store sell you anything other than your pet and food and even the food is crap at times.
DO NOT PURCHASE THESE PET STORE KITS!
Another reason to not purchase is because they all come with a lighting hood that only holds compact bulbs when the only bulb you should use is the ReptiSun 10.0 tube bulb. Many of the pet store package tanks are irregular in size so once you do figure out that basically all your bulbs and lighting hood is not healthy for your pet it is very expense to change everything to make it healthy. Also, I found out that the tank I purchased was only good for a short period of time anyway (it will soon be used to raise crickets). Thats another $179 for a cricket box! I could have found a very nice 50 gallon used for that price here in Florida.
FIX FOR LIGHTING
Walmart has undercounter lighting that you can purchase in all sizes for under $10. My starter tank was 18 inches. I found the light (remove the shield) for $6.99 at Walmart and ordered a T8 Reptisun 10.0 18 inch bulb for $18 from Linens and things. So for $25 you now have your UVB lighting. My other suggestion is that you find a nice used tank if your on a budget. CraigsList is a great place for that.
Moral of the story? Buy your tanks and lighting before you purchase your pet. DO NOT let the pet store sell you anything other than your pet and food and even the food is crap at times.
