Raymond, Raymond Jr, and player to be named later

[doopie]

We are new to the board and to the dragon life.

My son and I want a dragon or two yet I want to remain energy efficient. We live in Texas and have a great window to put the VIV next to for sunlight during the day and can shutdown the incoming light at night. Will most likely start with a baby from Petsmart or a local breeder if I can find one with a baby available when we are ready to adopt.

Any help is appreciated.
Lights, heaters, substrates are areas of concern.

Raymond

 

[EmJagsz]

I don't think placing the viv near a window would work. First of all you wouldn't be able to control the temps if they are too hot or not hot enough, and second glass filters out UVA and UVB rays.
You are better off buying either an all in one MVB (mercury vapor bulb) light which is a UVA/UVB and basking light all in one. These lights tend to be a little more expensive though. A slightly cheaper alternative is buying a UVB light and a basking light separately. The UVB you will want is the ReptiSUN 10.0 florescent tube bulb and you can use any regular WHITE household bulb for basking. Personally I use a 50watt indoor/outdoor flood light I got from a home hardware store.

The substrates that are best for baby beardies are paper towel, newspaper, non adhesive shelf liner, repticarpet or tile. Substrates to stay away from are any type of loose substrates such as sand, or wood chips. Loose substrates can cause impaction which may lead to death. Any substrate they can't ingest in a good substrate.

Any other questions, just ask!

 

[EmJagsz]

One more thing to remember is that you will need two individual tanks and set ups for each beardie if you decide to get two. Good luck!

 

[doopie]

Thanks for the info.

For the basking bulb I assume that needs to generate heat so the CFL floods would not work.

If you have multiple beardies can they be outside of the cage at the same time. I assume they are territorial in their feeding, basking, and watering holes. If my son and I were watching a game together could we both have them on the couch or will they want to fight?

More research....

Raymond

 

[EmJagsz]

Actually regular house bulbs DO produce heat. I know there are a number of members on here who use flood lights that can be found in home hardware stores. I use one in my 40 gal breeder tank and it gets more than hot enough, luckily I have a light dimmer to turn it down to the right temp.

And yes you can have both beardies out at the same time, it's just a poor idea to house them together.

 

[doopie]

We decided to purchase a dragon from the Reptile show. Downunderdragonz.com was there along with Lynn's dragons. DUD had some really nice dragons so we picked up a little girl at the show. She is now at home and having a great time.

Here are some pics of Xanadu:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45791577@N07/?do

 

[fresnowitte]

Hello Raymond and Raymond Jr. & Welcome to BD.org!
And....

Congratulations on the New Baby!

She's adorable! :love5:

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Hello and welcome!

 

[beardie parents]

Awww, she's a snuggle bug already!