New Beardie owner here

[Subiedude]

Hey everyone, new owner here! Just got my first beardie yesterday. Been doing alot of research, trying to learn everything I can. Any helpful tips are welcomed! One thing I've been learning is that the reptisand that came with the kit I bought seems to be a no go, so I intend to change it out, but I'd rather wait untill the first tank cleaning, I really don't want to take him out before he gets a chance to acclimate to his new environment. You guys think it would be okay to hold off changing the substrate for a bit? Thanks everyone!

 

[Skybug]

May i ask what kind of lighting he has? Please NO “coil”/compact uvb bulbs. He needs a long tubular uvb bulb, I would get the sand out yesterday :/ doesn’t matter if itll stress him, sand really isnt a great substrate, also i see dried mealworms, he needs alive bugs, I recommend roaches, superworms , hornworms and bsfl, and the if hes not drinking from the water dish u can remove it, most bearded dragons don’t drink standing water, if you have any questions please do ask, these are some of the things i use for my bearded dragon, if you dont have a long uvb light PLEASE get him one, this will affect his overall health.

 

[Subiedude]

Yeah everything u see was basically because I JUST got him and haven't had a chance to get anything else. Yeah that coil uv just came with the kit, using that till I get off work tonight, same with the food, came with the kit. I have that exact basking lamp you showed as well. Getting the good stuff after work today.

 

[Sadie]

Yeah everything u see was basically because I JUST got him and haven't had a chance to get anything else. Yeah that coil uv just came with the kit, using that till I get off work tonight, same with the food, came with the kit. I have that exact basking lamp you showed as well. Getting the good stuff after work today.

If you cannot get what Skybug posted for a UVB at the pet store go to this site www.pangeareptiles.com and look there -- you want the Arcadia 12% bulb for that ProT 5--- I would go ahead and change out the sand for some textured NON adhesive shelf liner or paper towels for now till you figure out what you want to do - the shelf liner is good and easy to clean - vinegar/ water 50/50--- cut to the size of the tank --- any more help please ask

 

[Subiedude]

We have a reptile based non chain pet store where I got my beardie, they have that uvb setup there, as well as a liner that looks like desert type landscape ill prlly get

 

[Sadie]

We have a reptile based non chain pet store where I got my beardie, they have that uvb setup there, as well as a liner that looks like desert type landscape ill prlly get

When you get the UVB please post back on here so I can help you place it--- they have certain distances and placement

 

[Subiedude]

When you get the UVB please post back on here so I can help you place it--- they have certain distances and placement

Okay will do!

 

[Subiedude]

Took a lunch from work and went home to check on Drago, he ate his food! I mixed a little papaya in with the meal worms, he seemed to like it. Once he's eaten, do I need to feed him again or will be be good till tomorrow?

 

[Sadie]

Took a lunch from work and went home to check on Drago, he ate his food! I mixed a little papaya in with the meal worms, he seemed to like it. Once he's eaten, do I need to feed him again or will be be good till tomorrow?

How old is the dragon? If hes a baby he needs to be fed at least twice a day and he needs a staple insect crickets dubia roaches silk worms --- BSFL ---- no meal worms if hes a baby - they can / will cause impaction babies stomach are not equipped for the chitlin on the meal worms its too harsh

 

[Subiedude]

He's 2 yrs old

 

[Sadie]

He's 2 yrs old

Ok hes good w/ the feeding --- please do not use the meal worms as a staple tho - those should be fed as a treat - I would get him on dubia roaches www.dubiaroaches.com

 

[Subiedude]

Well for the time being I got home another one of basically the same uvb I have now, just can't cover the cost at the moment

 

[Sadie]

Well for the time being I got home another one of basically the same uvb I have now, just can't cover the cost at the moment

How long? The coil is doing nothing but harming him -- shut it off - take him outside for some good UVB- have him sit on you for 15 minutes or longer direct sun- if you want put him in a plastic tote NO GLASS- 15 minutes partial shade/ direct sun Do Not leave him supervise him you do not want to burn him up- do this every day or every other till you get the UVB

 

[Subiedude]

Well today when I clean out Drago's enclosure, I'm gonna change out the substrate as well, not sure what I'm gonna use yet

 

[Skybug]

Well today when I clean out Drago's enclosure, I'm gonna change out the substrate as well, not sure what I'm gonna use yet

Cut up brown paper bags, paper towels.

 

[BengalGirl]

Well today when I clean out Drago's enclosure, I'm gonna change out the substrate as well, not sure what I'm gonna use yet

I use paper towels. Cheap to buy and super easy to clean.

 

[Subiedude]

Yeah, I get the ease of cleaning, but I want it to look good too

 

[Subiedude]

Got this!

 

[Skybug]

It’ll be fine for now, I would’ve gotten extras though, switch it out while the others being cleaned, they harbor bacteria, and give ur dragons a nail trimming, those carpets are known to cause nail snags

 

[Subiedude]

So still not to happy with the layout, I feel there is to much goin on, but this is what I'm working with for now