CRUSH

[Reza]

Crush is my 10 months old. He moved with the family to Colorado from Southern California about 5 months ago.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Welcome and congrats on the move and Crush looks good.

 

[Reza]

Thank you! Crush is awesome. Do you know how often a beardie poops??

 

[Hdrydr31]

That varies mine will go every day, PatsyB's Dolly goes 3-4 times a day (but she is a rescue and very skinny so she's eating alot) some go every couple of days..
How long has it been?

 

[Reza]

Crush goes about every two or three days. Seems like it's been closer to every three days lately.

 

[Hdrydr31]

What are you feeding, what kind of substrate is he on? what are your temps at?

 

[Reza]

Crickets with Calcium and Collard Greens. He's on crushed almond shells. Temps are around 90-95.

 

[Hdrydr31]

The crushed almond shells are not very safe for them as they ingest it when they eat and when they lick their environment... This can/will cause impaction issues..

 

[Hdrydr31]

What size is the enclosure? do you have a basking area, a warm area and then a cool area? What is your lighting?

 

[Reza]

He's been on the substrate since day one. Also, I've been told it's safe and digestible.

Yes, there's a basking area and cool side. I have 3 lights. Basking lights ( Red and White ) and a UV light. The red basking light is on at night.

 

[Hdrydr31]

where in colorado did you move to? I lived there most of my life I'm now in WI but love CO

 

[Reza]

We live right outside of Boulder in Erie.

I am concerned that Crush isn't getting enough water. I give him a soak/bath about once a week.

 

[Hdrydr31]

He's been on the substrate since day one. Also, I've been told it's safe and digestible.

Yes, there's a basking area and cool side. I have 3 lights. Basking lights ( Red and White ) and a UV light. The red basking light is on at night.

It is not digestible for them and if your dragon is not very well hydrated it will cause impaction. (I know it's sold for reptiles but it just isn't safe)
Unless your enclosure dips down below 65F at night the red light is discouraged as they have what's called their 3rd eye on top of their head it's a organ that senses light and shadows the red light at night keeps them from truly sleeping.. Being in CO it can get cold but your indoor temps should be fine, you can always get a CHE to keep the heat up.. Is the UV light UVB? they need UVB to get and absorb necessary vit's and aide in digestion

 

[Hdrydr31]

We live right outside of Boulder in Erie.

I am concerned that Crush isn't getting enough water. I give him a soak/bath about once a week.

I grew up in Englewood, lived in Boulder, aurora, castle rock and Denver
My Izzy poops every day in her bath that's where she prefers to do her business..Co is pretty dry you can increase how often you bathe him to several times a week even 3-4 times

 

[Reza]

I'm pretty sure it's a UVB light. What's a CHE?

 

[Reza]

What substrate do you recommend?

 

[Hdrydr31]

I'm pretty sure it's a UVB light. What's a CHE?

CHE is Ceramic Heating Element it only gives off heat no light.. But I don't think you will need it being in CO what is your household temp at? They do need the temp gradient the dip in temp at night helps them overall.

 

[Hdrydr31]

What substrate do you recommend?

I use contact paper on the bottom of my 55gal then on her warm side I use repti carpet then on the cool side I have her favorite fleece to sleep on..
paper towels, contact paper, repti carpet (get enough to have a back up to use when cleaning another) tile

 

[Hdrydr31]

Here are some good links for you on various subjects:
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/Habitats-Care/Reptile-Lighting-Information/

http://greathousefarm.com/Greathouse-Reptile-Nutrition-List.pdf
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Hdrydr31]

A juv dragon basking area up to 110F warm area 80-95F cool side 70's the UVB should cover 2/3rd of the enclosure with a bit of it overlapping with the basking bulb as they need the heat and the UVB to digest and absorb the food. They thermoregulate their temps by moving around in the tank to where they need to be. Provide hides on both the warm and cool side for if they want to get out of the light. Also make sure the lights are above them not on the sides as they have eye ridges to protect from the "sun" so if on the side it can burn them