Setup for baby beardie(PICs). Plz comment

[mark83]

Okay so I just got my beardie yesterday and I wanted to get impressions on my setup and etc.

Basically its a 40 gal breeder with poster board wrapped around it to help him feel more secure. Its all pretty obvious from the picture so I'll cover what you can't see.

The basking bulb is a 100 watt Reveal house bulb. I don't know if thats okay or not but they only had soft white, extra soft white, clear and the Reveal bulbs. I didn't know if clear would be too harsh for his eyes or not so I got the Reveal bulb which is SUPPOSED to bring out real colors better or some such.

The UVB is a 24" Reptisun 10.0 hanging against the back wall. It's in a Exo Terra light cycle unit, which runs automatically 12 hours a day.

I'm feeding dubia roaches for protein and hes getting turnip greens and collard greens in his salad. I have a calcium powder w/D3 and vitamins and also repcal w/no D3.

If anyones got any tips, advice or questions please post them, thanks

Mark

SETUP:

BEARDIE:

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Looks good.
I would put the uvb light in the tank if it isnt already. I couldnt make that out.

 

[mark83]

Yeah its hanging just out of view. The log runs right under the center of it. The system is made for 2 lights but I need to go pick up a regular fluorescent for the second spot. I'm going to pick up something in the 5000K color temp range to simulate daylight.

 

[GlueStick]

I don't see any problems with it.

Your temps making out okay?
Basking should be somewhere between 105-115F
Cool side around 78-86F

 

[mark83]

Temps have been an issue. Mainly because I live in an apartment and when the ac is on his temps drop a lot and when its off they shoot up again. Very frustrating since I lower the basking light when it goes down and then have to raise it again so I'm constantly raising and lowering..

Is 115 safe for a baby? I was under the impression 110 was the max so I've been trying to keep it around 103ish to be safe.

 

[GlueStick]

You may be able to maximize spot heat by buying a halogen flood lamp from say, a Walmart. Those bulbs really put out some heat. Or you can buy a reptile spot lamp. Something that is designed for specific spot heating because household bulbs are really designed to light up everything and disperse heat everywhere. (I use household bulbs for my cool sides, not my basking spots)

This is what a halogen flood lamp looks like (ppl like to use these for the outdoors)

OR you can buy a reptile spot lamp, like this one made by zoomed (just be careful not to touch these bulbs with your fingers. The oils on your hands may blow the bulbs)

And even so, what is convenient to use is a dimmer switch. I use a dimmer switch on my 100watt basking bulb, so that when it is too hot, I lower it, and vice versa. And from what I understand from working at a pet store, they have now come out with lamp fixtures with built in dimmer switches.

Here is an old pic of my 90 gallon tank. It may help you out. Only now I use playsand (my beardy is 3 yrs old) and ReptiSUN 10.0. Hope this helps as a visual.

And yes, 115F is okay for a baby bearded dragon. Actually, younger dragons need it hotter than adults.
Adult 100-110F
Babies 105-115F
Keep it monitored. Anything over 120F can have potential harm to the brain.

 

[mark83]

Thanks for that. I remembered reading that babies needed different temps but I couldn't remember if it was higher or lower. I'm planning on going with the zoomed basking bubs, I've seen them in 2 packs for like $10.