New bearded dragon owner any help?

[Chrisoku21]

I recently got a bearded for Christmas and this was a surprise, I don’t have any experience with reptiles or other lizards so I tried to figure out how to set up a tank and such. He is about 2 months old and I feed him about 10-12 crickets a day and mustard leafs. I tend to keep him hydrated from veggies and misting his nose. I’m not entirely sure if his tank is set up well. I can include pictures of his tank and him. I need help on how I should be taking care of him fully. He tends to glass surf slightly but I’m not sure what to do. If possible can anyone provide the info on how a good diet for him and possibly cage information and health information? Many websites say different things.

 

[Sadie]

I recently got a bearded for Christmas and this was a surprise, I don’t have any experience with reptiles or other lizards so I tried to figure out how to set up a tank and such. He is about 2 months old and I feed him about 10-12 crickets a day and mustard leafs. I tend to keep him hydrated from veggies and misting his nose. I’m not entirely sure if his tank is set up well. I can include pictures of his tank and him. I need help on how I should be taking care of him fully. He tends to glass surf slightly but I’m not sure what to do. If possible can anyone provide the info on how a good diet for him and possibly cage information and health information? Many websites say different things.

ok first thing we need to do is go over that lighting UVB and basking temps in the tank --- they are the two MOST IMPORTANT things in that tank - it controls the behavior and over all health of the dragon --- first thing I see is the domes I am assuming one of those is a coil UVB --- get rid of it --- down the road your going to have all kinds of health issues they are inadequate for UVB --- what size is the tank ? If its a 30 gallon you will need to upgrade that tank to a 75-120 gallon in the near future they dont stay little long --- I want you to do a early investment as your going to need this anyway and its imperative to the health of the dragon anyway --- you need to replace that coil w/ this
https://www.amazon.com/Reptisun-26053-Terrarium-Inside-ReptiSun/dp/B07HJG7TJ4 your going to need the bulb that comes w/ the fixture the 10.0 T 5 that will be needed for the larger tank -- it does come w/ the 5.0 bulb you probably could use that bulb now but we need to figure out the height of the tank etc--- the T 5 bulb and the 5.0 bulb ( T 8) have different placements and different distances they need to be for the effect --- but first you need to get that and get rid of the coil-- next I see on stick ons for thermometers they are inaccurate for basking temps -- your need this https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...um-digital-thermometer-14914.html?cgid=500202 I would get two one for the cool side of the tank and one for the basking side --- how old is the dragon he looks like hes around 3-4 months old -- for basking temps for him 105-110 but he may not like them that hot -- and I see your using a hammock so its going to be hard to get a gradient heat for him -- a different piece of decor that gives him different places to sit stand lay on or lay against would be good -- something like this https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/ha...riftwood-reptile-decor-54734.html?cgid=500116 this piece can be laid in the tank different ways -- this piece will give him different places to sit w/ different temps - he can then chose to sit where he wants to sit for temps etc -- please get rid of the substrate -- loose substrate can cause impaction if they ingest it or if its got sharp edges can cause internal injuries -- for now you can use paper towels or get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from your local home improvement store cut to the size of the tank---- vinegar/ water for clean up 50/50 solution - insects cannot get underneath --- please DO NOT leave any crickets in the tank over nite -- its good hes eating we want to keep him eating if he stops eating there is a issue his appetite will pick up after the lighting in the tank is corrected along w/ basking temps-- if they are not corrected he will stop eating - UVB helps synthesize/ absorb the calcium preventing health issues MBD being one and basking temps start the digestion process --- if you have any more questions please ask keep me posted on how things are going -- but you need to get your lighting and temps fixed NOW

 

[Chrisoku21]

Sorry about the late reply I got really busy with family events, but I have ordered the flooring for the tank and a rock for him as well as the digital thermometer. The light I have to save up for because I don’t have a lot of money right now. So I will get the tank improved within the next few days. He is about 3-4 months old and he eats normally, but I’m concerned about what I should feed him normally. I usually feed him 5-7 crickets and mustard leaves along with a few mealworms. Is there any changes to his diet I should do?

 

[Sadie]

Sorry about the late reply I got really busy with family events, but I have ordered the flooring for the tank and a rock for him as well as the digital thermometer. The light I have to save up for because I don’t have a lot of money right now. So I will get the tank improved within the next few days. He is about 3-4 months old and he eats normally, but I’m concerned about what I should feed him normally. I usually feed him 5-7 crickets and mustard leaves along with a few mealworms. Is there any changes to his diet I should do?

Ok so you should of put the flooring and decorations on hold -- the UVB is one of the MOST important thing in the tank --- the substrate can be swapped out for paper towels or newspaper for now -- but that UVB should of been ordered or gotten first--- he will not go long w/ out it --- he cannot absorb / synthesize his calcium w / out it and eventually will quit eating all together --- but it must be fixed or your gonna have a sick dragon on your hands --- the UVB prevents all kinds of health issues like MBD being the biggest along w/ neurological issues which cause seizures and he is very young so its crucial you get this --- his diet should or will after he acclimates to the tank / surroundings consist of 40 crickets per feeding -- I didnt feed my two dragons crickets long after I got them I switched them over to dubia roaches - they are a better staple feeder and A LOT LESS hassle to take care of --- to go along w/ the crickets your feeding I would get him some BSFL also known as phoenix worms calci worms or nutri grubs --- all the places I normally get things from are sold out so try this place and make sure you read the live guarantee at the bottom and order accordingly you can have the option of having them held at the post office or delivered https://flukerfarms.com/black-soldier-fly-larvae-soldier-worms/ you will need a bowl like this to keep them from escaping https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
Please NO more mealworms - they are too harsh on babies stomachs and can cause impaction --
Here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
Please start feeding him salads every morning -- the BSFL are a great staple feeder and a great salad topper to lure him to the bowl -- feed him as many as you want -- do not dust them they are calcium enriched so that being said your UVB is needed!!!!! His insects should be dusted 5 x per week once per feeding and vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week once per feeding -- if you have any more questions or need more websites for insects/ worms please as -

 

[Chrisoku21]

Ok so you should of put the flooring and decorations on hold -- the UVB is one of the MOST important thing in the tank --- the substrate can be swapped out for paper towels or newspaper for now -- but that UVB should of been ordered or gotten first--- he will not go long w/ out it --- he cannot absorb / synthesize his calcium w / out it and eventually will quit eating all together --- but it must be fixed or your gonna have a sick dragon on your hands --- the UVB prevents all kinds of health issues like MBD being the biggest along w/ neurological issues which cause seizures and he is very young so its crucial you get this --- his diet should or will after he acclimates to the tank / surroundings consist of 40 crickets per feeding -- I didnt feed my two dragons crickets long after I got them I switched them over to dubia roaches - they are a better staple feeder and A LOT LESS hassle to take care of --- to go along w/ the crickets your feeding I would get him some BSFL also known as phoenix worms calci worms or nutri grubs --- all the places I normally get things from are sold out so try this place and make sure you read the live guarantee at the bottom and order accordingly you can have the option of having them held at the post office or delivered https://flukerfarms.com/black-soldier-fly-larvae-soldier-worms/ you will need a bowl like this to keep them from escaping https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
Please NO more mealworms - they are too harsh on babies stomachs and can cause impaction --
Here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
Please start feeding him salads every morning -- the BSFL are a great staple feeder and a great salad topper to lure him to the bowl -- feed him as many as you want -- do not dust them they are calcium enriched so that being said your UVB is needed!!!!! His insects should be dusted 5 x per week once per feeding and vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week once per feeding -- if you have any more questions or need more websites for insects/ worms please as -

Sorry for the late reply I got busy with a lot of family events, but I did change the cage setup and bought the stuff you recommended and set up multiple digital thermometers with probes. His basking spot is around 100 degrees and cool spot around 75 with the ambient around 75-80. I also got rid of the substrate. Anything else I should note? Here are pics of the current setup. Also I just fed him a bit and will take out the left over veggies.

 

[Sadie]

Sorry for the late reply I got busy with a lot of family events, but I did change the cage setup and bought the stuff you recommended and set up multiple digital thermometers with probes. His basking spot is around 100 degrees and cool spot around 75 with the ambient around 75-80. I also got rid of the substrate. Anything else I should note? Here are pics of the current setup. Also I just fed him a bit and will take out the left over veggies.

Ok the screen on the tank is a fine mesh like a screen door or wide hole? Distance and placement is crucial here

 

[Chrisoku21]

Ok the screen on the tank is a fine mesh like a screen door or wide hole? Distance and placement is crucial here

Not as tiny as a screen door and is slightly larger for the mesh, I tried to make it fit pretty well on the top so he can get the ceramic heat at night.

 

[Sadie]

Not as tiny as a screen door and is slightly larger for the mesh, I tried to make it fit pretty well on the top so he can get the ceramic heat at night.

Can you post a pic of the screen please