Newbie Help

[AnandaTheDragon]

Hello,

Just got a bearded dragon. His name is Ananda. Well.. I think he is a he. If not I can shorten it to Annie.

Anyway. He is young. About 3-4 inches long without his tail. I have him in a 40 gallon tank (they had him in a 5 gallon tank at the store. Kinda sad). I am worried about his temperature. I am reading such wildly varying stuff on the net and I am worried I am doing the wrong things.

Currently, I have a basking light and a UVB light during the day and a red night light at night. The temp never gets above 80. It hovers around 80. Questions:

- I have read that night lights should not be used since beardies need darkness to sleep.

- That I should not use and under the tank heater at all (I just bought one) because it could burn them. Is this true even if I use a thermometer / gauge?

I guess those are the biggest questions I have currently that are somewhat urgent. I can poke around and figure out my others here on the forum. Like.. how to get him to drink water, eat veggies, etc.

Thanks very much in advance.

David

 

[Elders]

Hey Dave,

Here is a VERY quick run down.

Day time use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJIPJEC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Night time:

- Get rid of that red night light; it disturbs your dragon; If night time is cold; get a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F9CV7K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a 40Gal Breeder.

UTH:
Do not use; they are waste of money and they do nothing but pose a burn risk to the animal.

 

[Elders]

Follow Up:

If you have Temp trouble Try using a cover; I covered the entirety of the mesh with Aluminum Foil; I cut slots in it for the Lamps and CHE; and UVB hood. I am able to bend it up and down to release heat/add ventilation as needed. I can control the humidity and heat by folding the aluminum up and down. I used this for my snake when I had him; it works well.

 

[AnandaTheDragon]

Thanks for the reply!

I ordered the heat emitter for nighttime use. For day, does that halogen lamp work well? What about UVB light? Don't they need that?

Does the UTH pose a risk if a thermometer (gauge) is used?

Thanks again.

David

 

[Elders]

Hey Dave, (Let me know if you prefer David)

UTH are a risk because bearded dragons cant feel heat on their bellies...so they will sit and burn.

Yes UVB is VERY important; I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AQU8F2O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You should always use a range of thermometers; I use Digital w/ Probe. Infrared Laser Gun:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And even one P.O.S. Analogue one that came with the enclosure just for S&G.

 

[AnandaTheDragon]

Okay, I just picked up a ceramic light free heat bulb to use in lieu of the night light. That will help for night time. In my 40 Gallon tank with 2 100 watt heat bulbs I still only get about 85 degrees warmth during the day. Is that adequate or should I try to get it higher.

Dave, David, Hey you, butthead. It all works

 

[Elders]

Depends on the age of your dragon; Babies need between 105-110 degrees, and adults can be between 95-100 degrees.

 

[PatsyB]

You have to remember too that not only do they need a period of complete darkness at night to sleep but they also need their whole tank to cool down to regulate their body. As long as the tank doesn't get below 65 degrees you don't need anything to keep it warm. 65-75 degrees is just fine.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Welcome to the forum and if you haven't already take a look at the links below several of our comments you will find a ton of info to help you get going...You've been given some good info thus far... Oh and we love pictures

 

[AnandaTheDragon]

 

[AnandaTheDragon]

That's Ananda.

So that's interesting info. So last night I left the ceramic heater on all night. It sounds like I should shut that off at night. I doubt our house will ever get colder than 65 degrees since I keep my heater at 69 degrees always. I didn't realize that they needed for the tank to cool down at night.

I'll do more proper research on the forum. Thanks for being patient with my newbie post. I am just so worried I am going to kill him accidentally and that would just be horrible since we've all grown attached to him.

David

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yep as long as it doesn't get below 65 your fine... as in nature they dig a cave or they find a hole or they go down in the rocks to find a cool place to sleep for the night...
You are doing just fine and no worries about the questions we all started right were you are now..