I've always wanted a bearded dragon, and since I've gotten more into caring for animals, I've been considering getting a beardie the next time I move.
Before I bring one home, I want to make 100% sure that the tank is perfect. I figure this will be a lot easier if I make little purchases each payday so I end up with everything I need in a year. I figured I'd introduce myself and let you guys tell me what I need to be doing; I don't trust the pet store one iota. I find the best way to learn how to take care of an animal is a forum like this!
Tank:
• What size tank will I need?
I currently have a 10 gallon (empty) and a 36 gallon (with five hermit crabs). The 10 is too small for the crabs, but I may be able to downgrade them to a 20 gallon (if I don't buy more) as the baby beardie outgrows his tank.
• Are long tanks preferred over tall tanks?
Substrate:
• What makes the best substrate?
I have play sand and Eco Earth. I've heard of some people using paper towels, but that sounds too easy.
• Should substrate be moist?
• How many inches of substrate?
Heat:
• What's the ideal temperature range?
• Should there be a gradient?
• What's the best way to measure temperature? For a gradient?
• Can UTH's be used? (on the side of the tank to prevent too hot substrate)
Humidity:
• What is the ideal humidity range?
• How can I keep humidity up? (assuming substrate is not moist)
• Where in the tank should the hygrometer be placed?
• Do beardies like being misted?
Lighting:
• What lighting is necessary?
• How should the lighting be attached?
• Should some sort of lighting be used at night?
• If a UTH is used, what lights can I do without?
Molting:
• What conditions are required during molting?
• Are beardies terribly vulnerable when molting?
• Do they need to hide/dig?
• What extra nutrients do molters require?
Food:
• Will I be able to avoid feeding them crickets?
• Will they eat pillbugs?
• Will they eat freeze-dried insects?
• Will they eat meat?
• Can I feed them freeze-dried baby shrimp, bloodworms, and krill?
• Do they eat fruits, veggies, and nuts, or just greens?
• Are there any commercial pellets that can supplement fresh food?
Insects:
• How often will I need to buy more insects?
• Can I breed my own colony of insects so I don't have to keep buying more?
• What insects are easiest to breed?
Water:
• Does their water need to be dechlorinated?
• how big should the water bowl be?
• How often should their water be changed?
Friends:
• Can beardies be kept alone?
• Can a female and male be kept together?
• What tank size is necessary for two beardies?
• Do beardies fight?
• Do age and size differences matter?
Toxic ingredients:
• Are there any foods the can't have?
• Are there any ingredients in commercial foods that need to be avoided altogether?
• What materials should be kept out of the tank?
Choosing:
• Where's the best place to get a beardie?
(I live in Louisville, KY.)
• What should I look for when picking one out?
• What different breeds/colors/variations of beardies are there?
I hope there's nothing I've forgotten! I'm very worried about molting, because I have hermits and molting is a huge deal with them; they can die pretty easily while molting. I also have a fear of insects that jump, so I would really rather not have to deal with crickets.
If there's anything else I need to know, please tell me! I don't know what information out there is accurate so links to helpful sites would be much appreciated.
~*~
Crowley • Gabe • Sammy • Adam • Dean
Before I bring one home, I want to make 100% sure that the tank is perfect. I figure this will be a lot easier if I make little purchases each payday so I end up with everything I need in a year. I figured I'd introduce myself and let you guys tell me what I need to be doing; I don't trust the pet store one iota. I find the best way to learn how to take care of an animal is a forum like this!
Tank:
• What size tank will I need?
I currently have a 10 gallon (empty) and a 36 gallon (with five hermit crabs). The 10 is too small for the crabs, but I may be able to downgrade them to a 20 gallon (if I don't buy more) as the baby beardie outgrows his tank.
• Are long tanks preferred over tall tanks?
Substrate:
• What makes the best substrate?
I have play sand and Eco Earth. I've heard of some people using paper towels, but that sounds too easy.
• Should substrate be moist?
• How many inches of substrate?
Heat:
• What's the ideal temperature range?
• Should there be a gradient?
• What's the best way to measure temperature? For a gradient?
• Can UTH's be used? (on the side of the tank to prevent too hot substrate)
Humidity:
• What is the ideal humidity range?
• How can I keep humidity up? (assuming substrate is not moist)
• Where in the tank should the hygrometer be placed?
• Do beardies like being misted?
Lighting:
• What lighting is necessary?
• How should the lighting be attached?
• Should some sort of lighting be used at night?
• If a UTH is used, what lights can I do without?
Molting:
• What conditions are required during molting?
• Are beardies terribly vulnerable when molting?
• Do they need to hide/dig?
• What extra nutrients do molters require?
Food:
• Will I be able to avoid feeding them crickets?
• Will they eat pillbugs?
• Will they eat freeze-dried insects?
• Will they eat meat?
• Can I feed them freeze-dried baby shrimp, bloodworms, and krill?
• Do they eat fruits, veggies, and nuts, or just greens?
• Are there any commercial pellets that can supplement fresh food?
Insects:
• How often will I need to buy more insects?
• Can I breed my own colony of insects so I don't have to keep buying more?
• What insects are easiest to breed?
Water:
• Does their water need to be dechlorinated?
• how big should the water bowl be?
• How often should their water be changed?
Friends:
• Can beardies be kept alone?
• Can a female and male be kept together?
• What tank size is necessary for two beardies?
• Do beardies fight?
• Do age and size differences matter?
Toxic ingredients:
• Are there any foods the can't have?
• Are there any ingredients in commercial foods that need to be avoided altogether?
• What materials should be kept out of the tank?
Choosing:
• Where's the best place to get a beardie?
(I live in Louisville, KY.)
• What should I look for when picking one out?
• What different breeds/colors/variations of beardies are there?
I hope there's nothing I've forgotten! I'm very worried about molting, because I have hermits and molting is a huge deal with them; they can die pretty easily while molting. I also have a fear of insects that jump, so I would really rather not have to deal with crickets.
If there's anything else I need to know, please tell me! I don't know what information out there is accurate so links to helpful sites would be much appreciated.
~*~
Crowley • Gabe • Sammy • Adam • Dean
