Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been asked by a member of another forum (I will not mention names b/c I know how some forums are about that) to ask you guys what your husbandry is like. I have some views that have been tested buy some very reputable breeders and I stick by them for the most part. Because of this I was called "close minded". So if you don't mind I would like to hear how you all keep your beardies, specifically the substrate and temps you use. I hope to learn somthing and I am always open to good ideas.
P.S. I live picts and thanks for any replys.
:-P

well i am currently using carpet as substrate, The temps are 100 to 105 in the basking spot and the cool end is about 75 or so. I use a grapevine log and a half log for basking and hiding with a 10.0 reptisun uvb light. There are some random rocks in there too!
i have a 40 gallon breeder tank.

hope it helps

i use white melamine cages, some glass 40 breeders, and a custom cage out of a large entertainment center that is 5 feet long. the glass cages, i cover the back and sides with white contact paper. for substrate i use non adhesive duck brand shelf liner from walmart. i keep at least 2 for every cage so i can easily rotate between cleanings. my temps for babies are 110-115, and 105-110 for adults. cool end of the cage is 75-80. basking platforms are a must. i dont like the flat rocks anymore cause they tend to get too hot and burn the dragons belly. drift wood or grapevine is good but must be cleaned alot due to the pours in the wood. bleaching/water mixture and baking the wood sterlizes it. for UVB i use the florescent strip lights with one reptisun 10.0 bulb and one standard UVB aquarium/plant light you can get from home depot. for heat i used standard softwhite household bulbs. wattage depends on cage size.

i personally do not like sand as i have had a dragon die of impaction. i used the same sand as many other reputable breeders, but it still caused impaction. plus i got tired of the dust build up and the smell of sand. washing a few times does help the dust but it didnt help me enough.

when my females are gravid and showing signs of digging i move them into an egg laying bin. i use damp packed soil, peete moss, and a bit of sand. she lays when ready, i leave her be until done, then bathe her.

for food for adults, crickets or roaches 3 times a week. i prefer roaches but am trying to breed my roach stock right now. i feed lobsters and dubia to my dragons. greens 3 times a day, some fruit and other veggies along with it.

babies get crickets 4-5 times a day. greens once a day.

i mist cages a few times a day. dragons get bathed every week.
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Beach Beardies

2.4. bearded dragons
1.0. Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

I house my dragon in a 90gallon enclosure (I wont use anyhting smaller than 75g for adults)

I use non adhesive shelf liner for a substrate for a few reasons...1. Its totally safe because its non particulate and she cant eat it. 2. Its easy to clean (spot clean with baby wipes and spray the whole thing with chlorhex and clean completely once a week or so) I find having an easy to clean substrate makes me more likely to clean! 3. It is pretty nice looking, not "realistic" or anythinbg but neat and clean. 4. Its CHEAP! You can buy a whole roll for 4$ (give or take) and can use each peice until it begins to fall apart...or occasionally if she has a real nasty poop that stains it.

I keep the basking temps at 105degrees (a little higher for hatchlings and juvies) measured with a digital thermometer.
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0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
2.1 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo,Jeffrey Nothing, Louise)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
1.0 Blood Red Corn (Virus)
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Scuttle)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)

I have mine in 40 gal breeders. Papertowel substrate. I feed crix as a staple. I use the perches for birds and it gives a great perch as well for a beardie.