bmarble903
New member
Ok, it's about that time for some advice. I have been debating for awhile on getting a new friend, and being that I am allergic to anything with fur, a reptile seemed ideal. After much research, and for reasons most of you already know, I decided a beardie was the one! So I did my typical hours upon hours of research and believe I have set up a nice home for him (I'll be getting a male and the winning name is Jäger). So that everyone is up to speed I'll list the proposed setup.
Exo-Terra 36"x18"x18" glass terrarium
Reptile carpet
Big Apple medium hide and bask coffee tree log set
Hammock, of course
Exo-Terra thermo-hygro combo meter (for cool side)
Exo-Terra thermometer (for hot side)
Exo Terra Solar-Glo High Intensity Self-Ballasted Uv/Heat Mercury Vapor Lamp 125W for basking
Exo Terra Ceramic Heater 150W (will only be on at night when necessary to reach comfy sleeping temps here in Colorado)
I also stocked up on calcuim and multivitamins, will plan to feed small crickets twice daily and offer veggies to start, once he gets bigger we will move into more variety.
The plan is to get everything set up and moniter for a few days before dragon shopping. Once I know the new home is ideal I'll be on the lookout for my new buddy. The lights will be setup on timers for a 12 hour on 12 hour off cycle. When the lights are off and it's chilly, the ceramic heater will be on. I'm sure you're asking me to get to the point, so here it is:
I also purchased the Exo-Terra Compact Hood that fits my terrarium. It takes 4 of the 26W compact (coil type) fluorescent bulbs. I bought 2 of the 10.0 and 2 of the 2.0. I planned to have the 10's on the hot basking side and the 2's on the cool side. Of course, my one impulse buy (found them on sale locally) bites me. I read some horror stories of blinding in dragons and to stay away from these types of bulbs. Upon further investigation now it seems a mixed review. Some are claiming the newer bulbs are now ok and are using them with their dragons with no issues. Should I return all of this and start over on the UVB with a reptisun? Should I run the 4 UVB compacts and UVB basking light combo and monitor the little guy close first? I'm hoping with the addition of the mercury vapor lamp the little compacts will be ok and still provide enough UVB, assuming it isn't harmful.
I'll wrap up by saying that although this is my first post I am very grateful to all of you on here. This forum has been a wealth of information and solidified my desire to bring home a beardie. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
-Brandon
Exo-Terra 36"x18"x18" glass terrarium
Reptile carpet
Big Apple medium hide and bask coffee tree log set
Hammock, of course
Exo-Terra thermo-hygro combo meter (for cool side)
Exo-Terra thermometer (for hot side)
Exo Terra Solar-Glo High Intensity Self-Ballasted Uv/Heat Mercury Vapor Lamp 125W for basking
Exo Terra Ceramic Heater 150W (will only be on at night when necessary to reach comfy sleeping temps here in Colorado)
I also stocked up on calcuim and multivitamins, will plan to feed small crickets twice daily and offer veggies to start, once he gets bigger we will move into more variety.
The plan is to get everything set up and moniter for a few days before dragon shopping. Once I know the new home is ideal I'll be on the lookout for my new buddy. The lights will be setup on timers for a 12 hour on 12 hour off cycle. When the lights are off and it's chilly, the ceramic heater will be on. I'm sure you're asking me to get to the point, so here it is:
I also purchased the Exo-Terra Compact Hood that fits my terrarium. It takes 4 of the 26W compact (coil type) fluorescent bulbs. I bought 2 of the 10.0 and 2 of the 2.0. I planned to have the 10's on the hot basking side and the 2's on the cool side. Of course, my one impulse buy (found them on sale locally) bites me. I read some horror stories of blinding in dragons and to stay away from these types of bulbs. Upon further investigation now it seems a mixed review. Some are claiming the newer bulbs are now ok and are using them with their dragons with no issues. Should I return all of this and start over on the UVB with a reptisun? Should I run the 4 UVB compacts and UVB basking light combo and monitor the little guy close first? I'm hoping with the addition of the mercury vapor lamp the little compacts will be ok and still provide enough UVB, assuming it isn't harmful.
I'll wrap up by saying that although this is my first post I am very grateful to all of you on here. This forum has been a wealth of information and solidified my desire to bring home a beardie. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
-Brandon