Soon-to-be Owner with a few questions.

[Xanthur34]

Well, for starters, thanks for all your help. I may get exasperated sometimes, but I always do appreciate the input!

So, my plan for tomorrow is to buy the 20gal viv and the screen to place on top. I'll get a fixture to put the Reptisun UVB bulb on the inside of the viv (like yours). And I could grab a halogen bulb from Walmart for the basking spot, so what wattage should I use?

As for the UTH, what do you mean put it under tile? I thought the stick to the bottom of the viv (on the outside) and that's that. Do you mean that it would require tile as apposed to the shelf liner substrate I have? Whatever, maybe I'll just forget about it if I won't need any more heating...

So here's my plan for setting up the viv: I will have a driftwood perch on one side of the viv and have the halogen bulb pointing at it to serve as the basking spot. I'll put a little hiding cave somewhere near the middle/slightly leftward for the beardie to go to if he needs to cool off. I'll put the food and water dishes in the middle of the viv too. I don't really have any other 'decorations' but does this plan sound good so far?

 

[Jess]

No prob

For wattage, go with a 50-65 watt flood light... The halogens get pretty hot, and I think it would be too much for your 20 gal. If you can find a 35 watt halogen, that might work though.
Its a good idea to grab a few different bulbs to experiment with, and then return the ones that dont work.

What I mean is to put the UTH on the bottom of the viv like normal, and then put tile over the spot where the UTH is. I wouldnt reccomend using just the shelf liner with a UTH, because your beardie can burrow under it and lay directly on the UTH, which will probably burn him... Yould be suprised at how hot those things can get! You need the tile because your beardie cant lift it or get under it, so there is no chance of him getting burned, and it wont get quite as hot as the shelf liner either. You might want to look into getting a thermostat for it too, so that you can adjust the temps.

Your set up sounds good, the only think I would change is to put the food/water more twards the cool side so that it doesnt dry out/evaporate as quickly. If your beardie doesnt figure out how to drink from the dish, you dont really need it anyway. I dont use water dishes... Salads and baths are enough hydration for them

 

[Xanthur34]

Alright, I guess I'll just go with a flood light. Sounds like that'll be less of a hassle.

I think I'll just forget about the UTH. It's sounding like it's really not going to be all that helpful anyway. Should I go ahead and get a CHE instead then?

Thanks for the tip on the food/water dishes. I'll send in a picture when I get the viv set up, see what everyone thinks.

I'd like to thank you especially, Jess, for all the help. You've been giving me the most understandable guidance here!

 

[Jess]

Good idea... Even a 50 watt halogen is a little too hot for my 40 gal right now, so it would probably toast your 20 LOL! And keep in mind, you might need different wattages for different seasons. A 50 watt flood should be just fine for now, but you will probably need a much hotter one for the winter.

And good choice, the CHE will be alot less hassle. Just wondering, have you checked your night time temps yet? I highly doubt that you will need it in the summer, but winter might be a different story. As long as your temps are above 65*F, there isnt any need for extra heating.

Cant wait for pics!

And Im glad I could help. I know its super confusing at first, with all the conflicting info and what not, but it gets alot easier with experience LOL.
Do you know what beardie you will be getting? Male of female? Morph?

 

[arrowwalk]

If not to late, do a search on craigslist because you can probably buy a 55 gal used in good shape for the same cost of a 20 in a store. As much as these forms hate us chain pet store guys, they can often give you a number to the vet they use. If you cannot find another one ask them about their vets number.

 

[Xanthur34]

Alright, yesterday I bought (what I thought were) the last things I needed: A 20 gal aquarium, a 65W flood light for basking, a 20gal CHE, 2 light 'domes' for the previous bulbs, and a florescent light fixture for my 10.0 Reptisun bulb.

I started setting up the viv today, but I've hit a nasty snag. The florescent fixture I bought says not to use it with a bulb more than 17W (fire safety), and the Reptisun bulb I got was 20W. Am I going to have to find a new fixture?

On the plus side, everything I bought fits nicely in the aquarium. I have the floodlight pointing straight at my basking perch and I have the thermometer's probe right on it. I have the hiding cave and food/water dishes on the cooler side, along with the thermometer itself. Oh, and all of this is sitting on top of my shelf liner substrate. All I really need now is the screen top (which I'm getting today) and an answer about the florescent fixture.

Here's another question though, what do you think is the best way to sanitize the things I'm putting in the viv? Some people say bleach solutions while others just say to rinse them off. What would be better?

Ok, lastly, what kind of schedule should I do for the calcium and vitamins? If I recall, was it vitamins everyday for babies, and calcium every other day? Help is appreciated!

I was hoping to pick up the beardie today, but it's looking like I'm not set up yet. Tomorrow hopefully!

 

[Rukia1988]

So exciting things are shaping up. When I got my bearded dragons I just rinsed their items and some I did not even clean...I am not sure if thats a bad thing but they have been using the stuff for a long time and I have not had any health issues. When I clean out the water dishes and food dishes I use Dawn Dish soap and hot water. I didn't see this recommended anywhere but I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed until I saw no bubbles and then I still rinsed lol. I read that you can use bleach as well but I didn't find that safe sounding so I just went with the Dawn...I mean they are using that to clean the oil off the animals in the oil spill so I think its safe enough.

Also cool tip, get two reptile carpets (if thats what you are using) keep one clean and use the other, when the used one gets dirty throw it in the washer and use the clean one while the other is in the laundry. Heard that from a few people as well. Haven't tried it but I am getting close to doing that since my reptile carpet is getting stinky.

I use a flourescent fixture from walmart for my UVB bulb and I haven't had any issues it was the same issue as you have. I don't think the little extra wattage is going to hurt.

I am not sure on the vitamins and calcium stuff I dust my crickets everyday or sometimes every other day. My bearded dragons are not a big fan of the dusted crickets and often don't eat very many of them when I dust. Stinkers, just like humans and their vegetables. lol
But I have read that 5 days a week of the calcium is good if you do a full 7 thats too much. And when you dust you only need a pinch or so enough to get the crickets a little white. I oops a couple times and get too much so the crickets often look like they are painted white. My babies are doing pretty good and no signs of any MBD. I make sure to feed them the same times everyday. Once you get one be prepared to spend a lot of your time getting crickets. Pip is 4 months and she eats almost 80 crickets a day plus meal worms. The baby, Zippy, eats around 40.

You can probablly go ahead and get the beardy because you are really close to being set up. I understand though if you want to wait. I didn't and I had so many issues but you did the right thing getting everything before purchase rather than getting bearded dragon while purchasing.

Everything sounds good. I can't wait to see the new addition once you get em =D

 

[Xanthur34]

Hey, thanks Rukia! That's a lot of helpful information!

I like the idea of using Dawn to clean things. It makes perfect sense.

So you think the fixture I got is fine? I may stop by Walmart just to double-check if they have a correct wattage, but if not, I may just stick to the one I have. Thanks!

Oh hey, I have another big question: I got my screen top now. And I have my flood light shining through it on the basking spot. It's been on for about 2 hours, and the thermometer's reading is 102 degrees F. Should I use the CHE to try to bump that up to a basking temperature? (was that 110 or 115 btw?)

Oh another thing too. When I mount my UVB bulb, do I mount it INSIDE the viv, or outside through the screen? Also, what should I use to mount it and how? Would duct tape work, or do I need something more specialized?

 

[Jess]

The light fixture is just fine... Mine is a few watts over, and it hasnt exploded. Yet.

If I get my decor and stuff used, I always sanatize it well before giving it to my animals. But if I buy stuff brand new, Ill usually just rinse it off as long as it looks clean. If its been sitting on the shelf for a while, its usually just a little dusty. Nothing to worry about.
I always clean dishes though, wheather they are new of not.

For your light, you can either raise the basking spot, add the CHE, or get something hotter. You could try a 75 watt.
And anywhere from 105*F-115*F is fine for babies!

I mounted my UV to a board, and put that across the viv. A combo of cable ties and Duct tape works wonders too LOL! Not quite as pretty, but it works.
Mount it INSIDE the viv, because UVB is filtered out if it shines through the screen. Ive cable tied my fixture right onto the screen lid before, and it works really well.

Calcium 5 times a week, and multivites 2 times a week is what I do.

 

[Xanthur34]

Alright! Thanks once again, Jess

Great, I'll keep that fixture and mount it to the bottom of the screen lid, that sounds simple enough.

As for the basking spot problem, I checked it again, and now the thermometer's reading almost 104 degrees. I guess I could raise the basking log up a little, but I have no idea what to do that with :/ Otherwise I may just go with your idea of a 75W bulb.

I'll be sure to rinse off everything today, probably use some Dawn. And then (at least I think) I'll be all set! I'm so excited!

 

[Xanthur34]

Got the temperatures to max out at about 105.5... I think I'll look for a 75W bulb and see how it does.

Had a problem though. I think my basking perch might be too close to the UVB bulb. I moved it around a bit, and the farthest I could get it away from the bulb was about 6 inches. (the fixture's a bit bulky, and the viv was about a foot high I think). Will this be ok?

 

[Jess]

Should be fine, as long as your beardie cant touch the light and can move away from it if he wants.
The 75W should do the trick.

Do you have a beardie picked out yet?! After you fix the basking temp, youll be good to go!!

 

[munchkins9802]

104-105 temp is fine. I wouldnt go for any higher wattage unless you put a dimmer switch on it.
We just got baby #2. Our first one is almost 19 mos now--we got hime6-8 weeks

as for the vet--he may have dealt with beardies but doesn't mean he is a reptile vet.
I understand concern listening to people on a forum-but this is an unusual forum, people on here are not out to make a buck, the bearded dragons are their hobby

The rest of your set up is sounding good. You wont need a CHE until winter time.

 

[Xanthur34]

Well, I just got back from an unsuccessful hunt for a good 75 watt bulb. All the ones I found were either power savers (which I doubt would work for a beardie) or a 'reveal' bulb that filters out yellow light. I didn't want to take any chances, so I just left emptyhanded.

But hey! If 104-105 will work, I'm all set! I guess I could add in the CHE if you REALLY insist it needs to be hotter.

No, I don't have a beardy picked out yet. I'm going to go tomorrow and look for a healthy-looking one. I've read all the tips here for picking them out, but do you have any other tips that might not have been mentioned? I know to look for one that's aware, no visible burns or cuts, no parasites (ick), not lethargic, and no goop anywhere (also ick). I can't wait ^_^

 

[Xanthur34]

Well, I just got back from an unsuccessful hunt for a good 75 watt bulb. All the ones I found were either power savers (which I doubt would work for a beardie) or a 'reveal' bulb that filters out yellow light. I didn't want to take any chances, so I just left emptyhanded.

But hey! If 104-105 will work, I'm all set! I guess I could add in the CHE if you REALLY insist it needs to be hotter.

No, I don't have a beardy picked out yet. I'm going to go tomorrow and look for a healthy-looking one. I've read all the tips here for picking them out, but do you have any other tips that might not have been mentioned? I know to look for one that's aware, no visible burns or cuts, no parasites (ick), not lethargic, and no goop anywhere (also ick). I can't wait ^_^