dancymisha
Member
Thanks to those who answered my previous questions. I am again feeling a bit overwhelmed at getting started...maybe I'm too neurotic to be a beardie parent?? Ha. I just want things to be right and not end up with a vet visit too soon if at all!
Would someone please help me with these questions?
1) After much more research I don't know that I want to use reptile carpet. I was thinking about going with the shelf liner as CooperDragon mentioned. Tile also sounds intriguing but also a bit difficult to get set up--you have to get it cut to fit, and what about seepage? Doesn't it get messy in between the tiles? With either option what's the best way to spot clean poops and urates? Pick up feces as soon as I see them but do I need a disinfecting spray too? Or is a damp wipe enough for every pick up and then save the disinfecting for the actual tank cleaning? I don't really want to use anything too harsh or fumy...I've heard vinegar works, or chlorhexidine, or F10sc? Being new at this I need simple and easy until I get the hang of it.
2) As for the tank cleaning - gosh I've read so many elaborate ways to clean the tank. Again, I really need simple and easy but of course want to do it the right way for my little guy. Initially I plan to have a basking log, repti hammock, a hiding log, food and water dish. Not too much to have to take out and clean. How often is a full on cleaning of the tank necessary if I do a good job of the spot cleaning? And many of the cleaning techniques I've read about involve rinsing depending on which way you go - how on earth do you rinse a 40 gallon tank? I read about "Professional Concentrated Disinfectant Coccicidal" solution. Sounds like you just mix up the solution, spray the tank and all decor and let it dry. Does anyone have any experience with this? I hope I don't sound lazy but I don't want to have to spend hours cleaning the tank.
3) I want to use the Mega Ray on a stand for UVA/UVB/heating purposes. I will monitor the heat to make sure it does it's job. If it isn't getting the basking spot hot enough, is it ok to add a separate basking lamp on the basking side as well? If I need to do this what's the best brand and wattage for a basking lamp to start out with? If I stick with the Mega Ray how does the UVA/UVB get spread out throughout the tank? Or does the beardie spend the majority of his daytime hours in the basking side so that's where he gets his rays - is that how it works? I know a lot of folks prefer the fluorescent tube but I want to try the set up without it first.
4) I've read good things about the acu-rite indoor/outdoor thermometer. Is this good for gauging humidity as well? Do I need 2 of thermometers, one for each side or does it come with 2 probes? If it comes with 2 probes do the wires spread out? Is it ok to leave the probes dangling from either side of the tank? I would feel more comfortable with a constant reading, not just putting the probes in when I want to know the temp or humidity. I've read infrared thermometer guns are good but I've already spent so much....maybe in the future!
Would someone please help me with these questions?
1) After much more research I don't know that I want to use reptile carpet. I was thinking about going with the shelf liner as CooperDragon mentioned. Tile also sounds intriguing but also a bit difficult to get set up--you have to get it cut to fit, and what about seepage? Doesn't it get messy in between the tiles? With either option what's the best way to spot clean poops and urates? Pick up feces as soon as I see them but do I need a disinfecting spray too? Or is a damp wipe enough for every pick up and then save the disinfecting for the actual tank cleaning? I don't really want to use anything too harsh or fumy...I've heard vinegar works, or chlorhexidine, or F10sc? Being new at this I need simple and easy until I get the hang of it.
2) As for the tank cleaning - gosh I've read so many elaborate ways to clean the tank. Again, I really need simple and easy but of course want to do it the right way for my little guy. Initially I plan to have a basking log, repti hammock, a hiding log, food and water dish. Not too much to have to take out and clean. How often is a full on cleaning of the tank necessary if I do a good job of the spot cleaning? And many of the cleaning techniques I've read about involve rinsing depending on which way you go - how on earth do you rinse a 40 gallon tank? I read about "Professional Concentrated Disinfectant Coccicidal" solution. Sounds like you just mix up the solution, spray the tank and all decor and let it dry. Does anyone have any experience with this? I hope I don't sound lazy but I don't want to have to spend hours cleaning the tank.
3) I want to use the Mega Ray on a stand for UVA/UVB/heating purposes. I will monitor the heat to make sure it does it's job. If it isn't getting the basking spot hot enough, is it ok to add a separate basking lamp on the basking side as well? If I need to do this what's the best brand and wattage for a basking lamp to start out with? If I stick with the Mega Ray how does the UVA/UVB get spread out throughout the tank? Or does the beardie spend the majority of his daytime hours in the basking side so that's where he gets his rays - is that how it works? I know a lot of folks prefer the fluorescent tube but I want to try the set up without it first.
4) I've read good things about the acu-rite indoor/outdoor thermometer. Is this good for gauging humidity as well? Do I need 2 of thermometers, one for each side or does it come with 2 probes? If it comes with 2 probes do the wires spread out? Is it ok to leave the probes dangling from either side of the tank? I would feel more comfortable with a constant reading, not just putting the probes in when I want to know the temp or humidity. I've read infrared thermometer guns are good but I've already spent so much....maybe in the future!