as89amanda":322cd said:
George is in a 29 gall tank now (I also have a 55 gall when he is bigger) right now he has a 50w zoo med repti basking spot lamp and my question- is this a good light? If not what should I get I want the best!!! It also gets cold in my house at night and I use a reptile rays black light 60w for night it keeps the temp around the 60ies- is this light ok? I'm also not sure about feeding pet stores told me once a day 3 to 4small/ medium crickets...I have been reading and most feed their babies 3x a day all they want in a 10 to 15 minute time period.I've been feeding him 5 to 6 small/medium crickets once at lunch time and he has fresh mustard greens every 12hrs.and pealets are always there if he wants them.what's the best way to keep him happy an health? I also want to order some phoenix worm I heard were good! I also just found out I need to dust and gut load.what's the best calcium and multivitamin supplements to use? I have two thermometers one on hot side98 an one on cold side80ish I also have a thermometer with wire an probe. And the hydrometer is a stick on that the pet store told me to buy its in the 40IES I am going to buy a hydrometer and thermometer combo this week off line. The stupid pet store told me to put walnut down I quickly changed to a mat when I learned walnut could kill him if they eat it. I'll post pictures sometime soon of my set up for you all to see just to make sure I've got it right! My little guy likes to be where ever I'm at most of the time on my shoulder he likes to look at my other babies a 5year old pitbull and lab mix scooby doo and my 4year old rat terrier sassy! Thanks in advance for all the help!!!
The basking spot light is fine, as long as it keeps the basking spot warm enough. However, you do need a UV light. Without UVA/B radiation, beardies develop MBD (metabolic bone disease), which is an often-fatal disease in which their bones grow deformed. A UV light is
necessary It is also very important that you get the right kind of UV light. A ReptiGlo, for instance, is a very bad choice and can harm your beardie. ReptiSun is the best brand.
Nighttime temps should be above 65*F. I reccommend a CHE (ceramic heat emitter), which doesn't give off any light and can be left on all day too.
For feeding.... way more than 5-6 crix. Yes, 3x per day is perfect for hatchlings, until they are 8 months old. Mustard greens are great, but beardies thrive on variety. I would suggest feeding him a combination... mostly mustard greens maybe with a leaf of kale, bits of a green bean, and a shredded carrot. And once you run out of salad material for him, get totally different things next time.
Awesome site concerning diets:
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html
For dusting: I reccommend the RepCal brand of Herptivite (multivitamins) and Calcium with D3.
Calcium:
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=31
Herptivite:
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=29
And for gutload, you can use things from beardie pellet food to some brands of dog food. Always give your crickets an orange slice to drink from.
I've never had a baby dragon, but from what I read, the basking temp should be at 105* until they are 8 months. Then it should always be around 100*.
I know how complicated this stuff gets! It sometimes takes a while to figure out, but I'm sure you'll get it.
Good luck! If you have any more questions, ask!