New beardie, help me please!

[Jaybri2008]

We brought home this little baby yesterday! The guy at the (reptile breeder) said he was the runt of the clutch and between 6-8 weeks old. But he seems too small to us! We have him in a 40 gall tank, with the dual zoo med basking and uvb lamps (ordered the tube housing and T5 bulb already). He ate a lot of crickets his first few hours here yesterday. Today he hasn’t touched any of the crickets or salad. Trying to get him some more meal bugs afternoon today. He let me handle him today and wasn’t skittish, kept his eyes open and crawled all around my hand. Just want any tips or pointers on how to make sure this guy thrives!

 

[Jaybri2008]

I'm just super worried that he is so small!!!

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

We brought home this little baby yesterday! The guy at the (reptile breeder) said he was the runt of the clutch and between 6-8 weeks old. But he seems too small to us! We have him in a 40 gall tank, with the dual zoo med basking and uvb lamps (ordered the tube housing and T5 bulb already). He ate a lot of crickets his first few hours here yesterday. Today he hasn’t touched any of the crickets or salad. Trying to get him some more meal bugs afternoon today. He let me handle him today and wasn’t skittish, kept his eyes open and crawled all around my hand. Just want any tips or pointers on how to make sure this guy thrives!

What is you setup. The uvb light is very importan. becuse of what you said I say you do not have the right uvb. You need a stop balb. Nooooo coils. It should be 10.0 t5. Get this as soon as possible what are the temps. How big is the enclosur. Lots of other people will gove it here great info so just hold on tight

 

[Sadie]

We brought home this little baby yesterday! The guy at the (reptile breeder) said he was the runt of the clutch and between 6-8 weeks old. But he seems too small to us! We have him in a 40 gall tank, with the dual zoo med basking and uvb lamps (ordered the tube housing and T5 bulb already). He ate a lot of crickets his first few hours here yesterday. Today he hasn’t touched any of the crickets or salad. Trying to get him some more meal bugs afternoon today. He let me handle him today and wasn’t skittish, kept his eyes open and crawled all around my hand. Just want any tips or pointers on how to make sure this guy thrives!

OMG he is really small ---- please divide the 40 gallon in half for now its going to be easier on him -- partition it off w/ some cardboard --- you need to have a digital probe thermometer to get accurate basking temps- NO stick ons take the probe place it on the spot where he sits and get the temp you want it 105-110 NO hotter -- you may haft to lower the wattage of the bulb since your halfing the tank --- the coil UVB is NO good its good you have ordered the T 5 fixture -- what did you order ? --- when it comes take the screen off and place it so its butted up to UVB you can place the UVB width wise on the tank -- next to the basking bulb on the end w/ the basking bulb sitting on the screen-- distance for that T 5 should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- his eating is going to be off so if hes eating a little thats ok- he will go thru relocation stress-- but your basking temps and UVB are going to be what keeps him eating -- what are meal bugs? -- NO meal worms they are too harsh on babies stomachs -- order some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com order medium DO NOT DUST THEM -- feed as many as you want --- they are a great staple feeder --- hand feed them then add in front of him to the tops of his salads first thing in the morning then about a hr later feed his staple insect -- the movement will get his attention to the salad bowl ----his crickets need to be dusted 5 x per week ONCE per feeding w/ calcium D3 -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding -- I am going to post some websites for you some of these worms may be too big for him yet -- super worms you need small ones -- those can be fed but only feed like 1-3 on top of his salads -- some of these places may not have small like you need but for future reference you can use these websites -- check to see who has smalls of anything -- the BSFL are small I think he should be able to eat medium they are really soft -- I would not order any horn worms yet -- they will outgrow him really fast -- please ask if you have any more questions
Here are some websites for you shop them all and see which ones best fits you
https://abdragons.com/
www.dubiaroaches.com
www.reptilianarts.com
https://symtonbsf.com/
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/
www.joshsfrogs.com
https://aafeeder.com/feeder-worms/superworms/
www.coastalsilkworms.com
https://flukerfarms.com/crickets-live-feeder-insects/
I have not gotten anything from joshs frogs aafeeders or abdragons-- the others I have Mulberry is the only place I know of that has the butter worms and good buy on horn worms but they grow so fast I dont get the quantity for the price reptilian arts has real nice silk worms dubia roaches has real nice horn worms they send small usually -- flukers has the best super worms nice and big and healthy looking --you will need a plastic container for them w/ lids / holes and bran to feed - they ship them in tubes --
See what you can find here is the website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder

 

[Jaybri2008]

OMG he is really small ---- please divide the 40 gallon in half for now its going to be easier on him -- partition it off w/ some cardboard --- you need to have a digital probe thermometer to get accurate basking temps- NO stick ons take the probe place it on the spot where he sits and get the temp you want it 105-110 NO hotter -- you may haft to lower the wattage of the bulb since your halfing the tank --- the coil UVB is NO good its good you have ordered the T 5 fixture -- what did you order ? --- when it comes take the screen off and place it so its butted up to UVB you can place the UVB width wise on the tank -- next to the basking bulb on the end w/ the basking bulb sitting on the screen-- distance for that T 5 should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- his eating is going to be off so if hes eating a little thats ok- he will go thru relocation stress-- but your basking temps and UVB are going to be what keeps him eating -- what are meal bugs? -- NO meal worms they are too harsh on babies stomachs -- order some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com order medium DO NOT DUST THEM -- feed as many as you want --- they are a great staple feeder --- hand feed them then add in front of him to the tops of his salads first thing in the morning then about a hr later feed his staple insect -- the movement will get his attention to the salad bowl ----his crickets need to be dusted 5 x per week ONCE per feeding w/ calcium D3 -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding -- I am going to post some websites for you some of these worms may be too big for him yet -- super worms you need small ones -- those can be fed but only feed like 1-3 on top of his salads -- some of these places may not have small like you need but for future reference you can use these websites -- check to see who has smalls of anything -- the BSFL are small I think he should be able to eat medium they are really soft -- I would not order any horn worms yet -- they will outgrow him really fast -- please ask if you have any more questions
Here are some websites for you shop them all and see which ones best fits you
https://abdragons.com/
www.dubiaroaches.com
www.reptilianarts.com
https://symtonbsf.com/
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/
www.joshsfrogs.com
https://aafeeder.com/feeder-worms/superworms/
www.coastalsilkworms.com
https://flukerfarms.com/crickets-live-feeder-insects/
I have not gotten anything from joshs frogs aafeeders or abdragons-- the others I have Mulberry is the only place I know of that has the butter worms and good buy on horn worms but they grow so fast I dont get the quantity for the price reptilian arts has real nice silk worms dubia roaches has real nice horn worms they send small usually -- flukers has the best super worms nice and big and healthy looking --you will need a plastic container for them w/ lids / holes and bran to feed - they ship them in tubes --
See what you can find here is the website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder

Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered

 

[Sadie]

Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered

Crickets is fine -- No meal worms too much risk for impaction--- 10 gallons are good for not long maybe a month or two-- make sure your getting a basking temp w/ that probe small tanks are very hard to keep a good temp w/ out over heating and you could of used the 40 divided in half -- the 10 gallon us going to be good for keeping dubia roaches in-- but for now your going to need to take that T 5 you have coming I am assuming you got a 24" fixture w/ a 5.0 bulb that comes w/ it-- if so that bulb will be perfect for the 10 gallon-- make sure your using a lower wattage basking bulb like a 50 watt

 

[Jaybri2008]

Crickets is fine -- No meal worms too much risk for impaction--- 10 gallons are good for not long maybe a month or two-- make sure your getting a basking temp w/ that probe small tanks are very hard to keep a good temp w/ out over heating and you could of used the 40 divided in half -- the 10 gallon us going to be good for keeping dubia roaches in-- but for now your going to need to take that T 5 you have coming I am assuming you got a 24" fixture w/ a 5.0 bulb that comes w/ it-- if so that bulb will be perfect for the 10 gallon-- make sure your using a lower wattage basking bulb like a 50 watt

OMG he is really small ---- please divide the 40 gallon in half for now its going to be easier on him -- partition it off w/ some cardboard --- you need to have a digital probe thermometer to get accurate basking temps- NO stick ons take the probe place it on the spot where he sits and get the temp you want it 105-110 NO hotter -- you may haft to lower the wattage of the bulb since your halfing the tank --- the coil UVB is NO good its good you have ordered the T 5 fixture -- what did you order ? --- when it comes take the screen off and place it so its butted up to UVB you can place the UVB width wise on the tank -- next to the basking bulb on the end w/ the basking bulb sitting on the screen-- distance for that T 5 should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- his eating is going to be off so if hes eating a little thats ok- he will go thru relocation stress-- but your basking temps and UVB are going to be what keeps him eating -- what are meal bugs? -- NO meal worms they are too harsh on babies stomachs -- order some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com order medium DO NOT DUST THEM -- feed as many as you want --- they are a great staple feeder --- hand feed them then add in front of him to the tops of his salads first thing in the morning then about a hr later feed his staple insect -- the movement will get his attention to the salad bowl ----his crickets need to be dusted 5 x per week ONCE per feeding w/ calcium D3 -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding -- I am going to post some websites for you some of these worms may be too big for him yet -- super worms you need small ones -- those can be fed but only feed like 1-3 on top of his salads -- some of these places may not have small like you need but for future reference you can use these websites -- check to see who has smalls of anything -- the BSFL are small I think he should be able to eat medium they are really soft -- I would not order any horn worms yet -- they will outgrow him really fast -- please ask if you have any more questions
Here are some websites for you shop them all and see which ones best fits you
https://abdragons.com/
www.dubiaroaches.com
www.reptilianarts.com
https://symtonbsf.com/
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/
www.joshsfrogs.com
https://aafeeder.com/feeder-worms/superworms/
www.coastalsilkworms.com
https://flukerfarms.com/crickets-live-feeder-insects/
I have not gotten anything from joshs frogs aafeeders or abdragons-- the others I have Mulberry is the only place I know of that has the butter worms and good buy on horn worms but they grow so fast I dont get the quantity for the price reptilian arts has real nice silk worms dubia roaches has real nice horn worms they send small usually -- flukers has the best super worms nice and big and healthy looking --you will need a plastic container for them w/ lids / holes and bran to feed - they ship them in tubes --
See what you can find here is the website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder

Don’t know what happened to my reply. Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered the long tube 10.0 UVB reptisun bulb and a generic 24 inch under the cabinet light fixture. But now that he’s in a 10 gallon tank Should I stick with the dual zoo med dome fixture on a stand or sitting directly on the lid? I have the reptisun 10.0uvb 13 watt bulb in there and the basking bulb in 100watts. The temp was around 105 on the stand. I’m looking at the sites now to make an order for some food! He ate some today and seemed active for the most part. Thank you for your help!

Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered

OMG he is really small ---- please divide the 40 gallon in half for now its going to be easier on him -- partition it off w/ some cardboard --- you need to have a digital probe thermometer to get accurate basking temps- NO stick ons take the probe place it on the spot where he sits and get the temp you want it 105-110 NO hotter -- you may haft to lower the wattage of the bulb since your halfing the tank --- the coil UVB is NO good its good you have ordered the T 5 fixture -- what did you order ? --- when it comes take the screen off and place it so its butted up to UVB you can place the UVB width wise on the tank -- next to the basking bulb on the end w/ the basking bulb sitting on the screen-- distance for that T 5 should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- his eating is going to be off so if hes eating a little thats ok- he will go thru relocation stress-- but your basking temps and UVB are going to be what keeps him eating -- what are meal bugs? -- NO meal worms they are too harsh on babies stomachs -- order some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com order medium DO NOT DUST THEM -- feed as many as you want --- they are a great staple feeder --- hand feed them then add in front of him to the tops of his salads first thing in the morning then about a hr later feed his staple insect -- the movement will get his attention to the salad bowl ----his crickets need to be dusted 5 x per week ONCE per feeding w/ calcium D3 -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding -- I am going to post some websites for you some of these worms may be too big for him yet -- super worms you need small ones -- those can be fed but only feed like 1-3 on top of his salads -- some of these places may not have small like you need but for future reference you can use these websites -- check to see who has smalls of anything -- the BSFL are small I think he should be able to eat medium they are really soft -- I would not order any horn worms yet -- they will outgrow him really fast -- please ask if you have any more questions
Here are some websites for you shop them all and see which ones best fits you
https://abdragons.com/
www.dubiaroaches.com
www.reptilianarts.com
https://symtonbsf.com/
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/
www.joshsfrogs.com
https://aafeeder.com/feeder-worms/superworms/
www.coastalsilkworms.com
https://flukerfarms.com/crickets-live-feeder-insects/
I have not gotten anything from joshs frogs aafeeders or abdragons-- the others I have Mulberry is the only place I know of that has the butter worms and good buy on horn worms but they grow so fast I dont get the quantity for the price reptilian arts has real nice silk worms dubia roaches has real nice horn worms they send small usually -- flukers has the best super worms nice and big and healthy looking --you will need a plastic container for them w/ lids / holes and bran to feed - they ship them in tubes --
See what you can find here is the website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder

Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered the long tube UVB reptisun bulb and a generic 24 inch under the cabinet light fixture. But now that he’s in a 10 gallon tank Should I stick with the dual zoo med dome fixture on a stand or sitting directly on the lid? I have the reptisun 10.0uvb 13 watt bulb in there and the basking bulb 50 watts The temp was around 105 on the stand. I’m looking at the sites now to make an order for some food! He ate some today and seemed active for the most part. Thank you for your help!

 

[Sadie]

Don’t know what happened to my reply. Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered the long tube 10.0 UVB reptisun bulb and a generic 24 inch under the cabinet light fixture. But now that he’s in a 10 gallon tank Should I stick with the dual zoo med dome fixture on a stand or sitting directly on the lid? I have the reptisun 10.0uvb 13 watt bulb in there and the basking bulb in 100watts. The temp was around 105 on the stand. I’m looking at the sites now to make an order for some food! He ate some today and seemed active for the most part. Thank you for your help!


Wow! Thank you so much, that was super helpful! I went back to the reptile store and got a smaller tank. They suggested a 10 gallon for now, not a 20. The owner said once he’s a little bigger to half the 40 gallon tank and so on. They’ve been feeding him tiny pin crickets and meal worms cut in half. I ordered the long tube UVB reptisun bulb and a generic 24 inch under the cabinet light fixture. But now that he’s in a 10 gallon tank Should I stick with the dual zoo med dome fixture on a stand or sitting directly on the lid? I have the reptisun 10.0uvb 13 watt bulb in there and the basking bulb 50 watts The temp was around 105 on the stand. I’m looking at the sites now to make an order for some food! He ate some today and seemed active for the most part. Thank you for your help!

I have sites for food -- but the most important thing is you need to get rid of that coil! NO under the counter light fixture --- they have NO reflectors in them and you MUST have a reflector it directs the rays downward toward him and you need that --- this is what you need for UVB https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html this fixture comes w/ a 5.0 bulb it can be used on the 10 gallon for now -- please order this bulb it is one of the best on the market -- you want a 22" bulb https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html please order this ASAP--- these people sell out of these so fast - I cannot stress this enough ---- please get a temp w/ a digital probe thermometer I am afraid your going to cook your dragon w/ a 100 watt bulb in a 10 gallon tank ASAP-- go back to the reptile store and get this or similar to https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-digital-thermometer.html
DO NOT listen to the people at the reptile store anymore they should of instructed you about the temps in the tank ---- especially a 10 gallon w / a 100 watt bulb --- that is too high of a wattage --- you want basking temps 105-110 NOTHING HOTTER --- take that probe and set it where he sits for basking and wait 10 minutes then get the temp ---- temps in the tank should be 65-75 at nite ---- NO colored bulbs ----- you can use a stick on for ambient temps but you MUST HAVE A DIGITAL FOR BASKING TEMPS--- I will post sites for insects / worms

 

[Sadie]

They need variety of veggies in his diet here is a website ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
Do not feed any insect bigger than the space between his eyes length wise !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are some websites for you shop them all and see which ones best fits you
https://abdragons.com/
www.dubiaroaches.com great place for roaches and horn worms -- they need to be small and you would need to feed them 1-2 / day so they dont outgrow him they grow fast ---
www.reptilianarts.com great place for silk worms and roaches but they come in a gunny sack you need a 10 gallon tote or aquarium to keep them in go by their chart for size -- check for small super worms you can feed those on top of his salads 1-3
https://symtonbsf.com/ great place for BSFL great salad toppers and lure to the salad bowl -- DO NOT dust them feed as many as you want they are a great staple feeder for babies -- hand feed a couple then add them to the salad bowl in front of him it will get his attention
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/ they have butter worms and horn but they do not come small for the most part its better to get them from dubia roaches till he gets bigger --
www.joshsfrogs.com
https://aafeeder.com/feeder-worms/superworms/
www.coastalsilkworms.com
https://flukerfarms.com/crickets-live-feeder-insects/ this place is great for super worms but your dragon needs to be a juvenile to be fed the large super worms --- like around 6 months old --
I have not gotten anything from joshs frogs aafeeders or abdragons-- the others I have Mulberry is the only place I know of that has the butter worms they are a nice soft worm --
Please dust the insects 5 x per week w/ calcium D3 ONCE PER FEEDING --- and vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE PER FEEDING -- here is a link for a dish to keep the insects/ worms in it
https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d

 

[Jaybri2008]

Thank you for the links! Very helpful. That is the bulb Ive ordered but I’ll get the fixture ASAP! Looking now. Thank you so much.

 

[Sadie]

Thank you for the links! Very helpful. That is the bulb Ive ordered but I’ll get the fixture ASAP! Looking now. Thank you so much.

When that fixture comes please post so I can help you place it -- the two bulbs have different distances - the fixture comes w/ the 5.0 bulb you want to use that bulb on the 10 gallon tank ------ the T 5 is going to be too strong for that little tank ------------- did you get the temp of the basking spot? NO stick ons ---

 

[Jaybri2008]

We used a probe thermometer for sure. I will definitely post as soon as I get the new fixture because Im sure I'll need some help!!! Ordering it from Petco so I don't have to wait for shipping and pick it up in store tomorrow... The temperature was a little over a hundred at the top of his hammock where he basked most of the day. I'll use the 10 gallon with the T 5 and the 50 watt basking bulb until he gets a little bigger and then use it for Dubia roaches, thats a great idea.

 

[Sadie]

We used a probe thermometer for sure. I will definitely post as soon as I get the new fixture because Im sure I'll need some help!!! Ordering it from Petco so I don't have to wait for shipping and pick it up in store tomorrow... The temperature was a little over a hundred at the top of his hammock where he basked most of the day. I'll use the 10 gallon with the T 5 and the 50 watt basking bulb until he gets a little bigger and then use it for Dubia roaches, thats a great idea.

You need the 5.0 bulb for the 10 gallon tank the 10.0 T 5 is going to be too strong- did you get a 24" fixture w/ a 5.0 bulb that would be the Zoo Med fixture

 

[Bailey]

He is smaller than usual. With perfect lighting & placement along with good diet, he should do just fine. As sadie said it's best off to keep him in a smaller enclosure for now then maybe upgrading him to a 120 gallon when he grows more.

 

[Jaybri2008]

You need the 5.0 bulb for the 10 gallon tank the 10.0 T 5 is going to be too strong- did you get a 24" fixture w/ a 5.0 bulb that would be the Zoo Med fixture

Sadie! I was only able to find the t 8 fixture in stores. Is this ok? I purchased both the 10.0 bulb and the 5.0 bulb. Not sure which to use. I’m still ordering the t 5 fixture for when I move him to the 40 gallon in a couple of weeks

 

[Sadie]

Sadie! I was only able to find the t 8 fixture in stores. Is this ok? I purchased both the 10.0 bulb and the 5.0 bulb. Not sure which to use. I’m still ordering the t 5 fixture for when I move him to the 40 gallon in a couple of weeks

The 5.0 bulb use for now ---- it need to be unobstructed NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- NO screen -- take the UVB fixture place on the end of the tank width wise then take your screen and butt it up to the UVB fixture w/ the basking lamp sitting on the screen next to the UVB -- take your decor piece and place it directly under the UVB 6-8 inches ---you want him to bask under both at the same time if possible --- so make sure your getting a temp when you finish getting it set up -- you may haft to make adjustments for the temp --- if you need more help let me know --- the 10.0 bulb you got is a what length?

 

[Jaybri2008]

The 5.0 bulb use for now ---- it need to be unobstructed NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- NO screen -- take the UVB fixture place on the end of the tank width wise then take your screen and butt it up to the UVB fixture w/ the basking lamp sitting on the screen next to the UVB -- take your decor piece and place it directly under the UVB 6-8 inches ---you want him to bask under both at the same time if possible --- so make sure your getting a temp when you finish getting it set up -- you may haft to make adjustments for the temp --- if you need more help let me know --- the 10.0 bulb you got is a what length?

Thank you! They’re both 18 inches. I can exchange the 18 inch 10.0 Bulb for the 24 inch 10.0 bulb.

 

[Sadie]

Thank you! They’re both 18 inches. I can exchange the 18 inch 10.0 Bulb for the 24 inch 10.0 bulb.

The 24" should be the T 5 make sure it says T 5- you can get a 24" T 8 that will not fit a T 5 fixture--

 

[Jaybri2008]

Sadie,
Bits seems to be growing and doing well... we’re back to the bigger tank. Hoping you can help me figure out what I need to fix here. Feeling overwhelmed. He’s got the T 8 fixture with the 10.0 bulb mounted inside with velcro . Still waiting for the t 5 fixture because I feel like it’s much better. Can you tell if it’s covering 2/3? I can’t seem to get his basking tank over 97 in this tank, it’s a 100 watt bulb. Also the lid is divided in 4. Cool side temp is 80 and humidity is 40. We had vinyl for the smaller tank. Need to go get some today for this tank. What needs fixing?! Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

Sadie,
Bits seems to be growing and doing well... we’re back to the bigger tank. Hoping you can help me figure out what I need to fix here. Feeling overwhelmed. He’s got the T 8 fixture with the 10.0 bulb mounted inside with velcro . Still waiting for the t 5 fixture because I feel like it’s much better. Can you tell if it’s covering 2/3? I can’t seem to get his basking tank over 97 in this tank, it’s a 100 watt bulb. Also the lid is divided in 4. Cool side temp is 80 and humidity is 40. We had vinyl for the smaller tank. Need to go get some today for this tank. What needs fixing?! Thank you!

What size fixture is the T 5 thats coming? It looks like the UVB is blocking the basking bulb in some of those pics -- is it? You dont need a fixture to cover 2/3 of the tank a 24" is fine -- I see you have the probe on the hammock so your getting accurate temps -- you can go to a higher wattage bulb ---but you dont want to burn him up -- 105-110 -- you can set up two different basking areas for him -- you can leave the UVB where it is and move the hot side of the tank to a different area making the area 105-110 and take a regular house hold bulb like a 60 or maybe 75 watt use your probe to get those temps -- NO LEDS and put it over the area of the UVB giving that area in the 90's -- use a single dome -- you want 3 temps in the tank anyway -- hot basking side a area of 90's and the cool side -- its going to give him options to bask at different temps -- when the T 5 comes let me know I will help you get it placed in the meantime dink around w/ what I posted and see what works --