Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am new to beardies and I want to raise a healthy and happy dragon. Here is my setup, a 40 gal tank with Repti-glo florescent light(33% UVA and 8% UVB) and basking light(red). I have the tempature gradiant from the right to left, 105 to about 80-85 and then 75-80 on the left side. Paper towels as substrate. She will tend to sleep in the fake ficas leaves at the top alot and she does move amoungst the tank frequently. She eats crickets and mixed greens daily with calcium dust and multivitamin once a week. You can see her on the branch in the right of the photo. Just looking for any suggestions from seasoned owners, thanks.

Close up.

Close up.

There is a lot of height between the spot lamp and the basking spot underneath. You should probably put a thermometer under the center of the basking spot on the floor to get an accurate reading. Other than that it looks good.
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Dl

Good setup, but I would recommend getting a regular 100watt lightbulb instead of the redbulb. They are diurnal animals and would benefit slightly from the extra light, red light is harder to see. No need to buy the expensive pet store incandescent bulbs if you are just getting it for heat, regular bulbs will do fine! I would suggest if you are interested in looking into getting a Mercury Vapor Bulb (such as Zoomed Powersun) - They produce more UVB for a longer distance than flourescent bulbs, and also produce heat. Good luck with the new beardie!
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David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

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Great. So, instead of the red light(which was all I had at the time for a basking light and heat) I can use a regular GE 100 watt light bulb for a basking and heat source??

Everyone has different opinions, but I would go with a basking spot lamp. I tried regular bulbs and checked temps with my temp gun, I could never get the basking spot hot enough with regular bulbs. A little guy like that needs a nice hot 105-110 basking spot. Cute little guy, good luck with him!
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2.1 Chavez, Lou, Lucy

Personaly, I don't like those type of gauges.....they could be inaccurate as much as 10 degrees. Do yourself a favor & get a digital thermometer, they only cost a couple of bucks, well worth it tho......nice setup.

ps. I went with ceramic tile as substrate, best move i ever made.
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Ciliatus 2.0.0, Auric 0.1.0,
Oedura 0.1.0, AFT 1.1.0,
Viper Tail 1.1.0, Beardie 0.0.1
Happy Herping

>>Great. So, instead of the red light(which was all I had at the time for a basking light and heat) I can use a regular GE 100 watt light bulb for a basking and heat source??

A regular GE Light should be fine. That is all Ive used for the past 5 years or so and it has been doing fine for me. It cuts down on the costs a lot as well, and the temperature stays relatively the same within 2-3 degrees (just make sure you dont get dirt lightbulbs, but good quality!) - Ive found the pet store "spot lamps" burn out slightly sooner, and of course are MUCH more expensive!

Good luck with the little one!
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David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

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Those stickon thermometers do nothing but measure the temp. of the glass.

You don't have any thermometers down where the dragon is spending the most of his time-- the bottom.

I disagree with the call for regular incandescent bulbs for heating. Your dragon will like dark at night, and if you turn off the 'heat' bulb, you cannot maintain the correct temps. Ceramic heat emitters are wonderful, and last forever. I've had one running at steady temps for four years now.

Oh yeah. Make sure that your UV bulb is rated for the distance between the screen and the dragon, he may not get enough UV due to the screen filtering it.