Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey im getting a bearded dragon from my friend its about 5-7 in long and it costs $70 is that cheap? and i also wanted to know wat i need like substrate climbing logs hide aways ect

http://blackninjakitty.com/herps/care/inventory.html

The above web address has a half decent list of BD needs. I would suggest that you stick with newspaper, paper towels, shelf liner or reptile carpet for substrate until you dragon is at least 12" long.

thnk you alot i have a 30 gal tank calcium sand heat lamp basking logs ect but i was wondering if you have to have the uvb bulb could i just put him/her by a window until i can get it?

UVB will not pass through glass or plastic. Plus a glass aquarium in the sun would heat up rapidly and could cook your dragon. You really need to get the UVB. I would go with the Zoo Med 10.0 if you are using the fine screen top that comes with 30 Gal. Terrariums. Don't get a compact fluorescent there is a lot of issues with them causing eye damage.

I also suggest doing much more research on bearded dragon care. Read back posts here in this forum for a page or so, you will find many basic questions answered and other useful information.

I don't recommend calcium based sands at all as a substrate, too much risk of causing impaction issues, especially with small dragons. The 30 gal tank is fine till your dragon reaches about 14" then he will need to be put into an adult size tank, 4'x2' in floor space with height between 18"-24"
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PHLdyPayne

k ty i have done tons of research and i no i will need a bigger tank ect ect and the sand thing just seems to be personal prefernce but i thought calcium sand was safe to digest most of the web sites iv been to said that i just couldnt find out if i needed a uvb bulb or not becuse i live were its not so cold and i can let it out or if putting it buy a window waqs fine and you guys answerd my questions thnx

I'd be real wary of calcium sand. I use regular old children's play sand. It seem to me the only sources that say calcium sand is safe are the people with a vested interest in ther product. (i.e. manufacturers and suppliers that sell it) Plus playsand is way less expensive than any substrate you can buy in a pet store.

hi
never use calsium sand its wil give impaction .
go for the reptisun 5.0 fluorecent the good old one ,who i stil like the best.
byeeeeee
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www.dragoncave.nl

Zoo Meds recommendations are that a 5.0 should be used in unobstructed applications where the dragon is within 12". A 10.0 gives penetration to 20". Zoo Med recommends a 10.0 for any enclosure with a fine screen top regardless of distance as the fine screen blocks a lot of the UVB. A 30 gal. sold here by All Glass, All Living Things, or Zilla is 12" tall and has a very fine screen sliding top. I think you can get away with a 5.0 in a 30 gal. with a screen top, as I have in the past assuming the animal has a basking spot that gets him closer to the bulb. But, a 10.0 is probably better for a growing dragon.

As far as UVB bulbs go, it is important that you get the right one. Higher numbers do not mean better they are just for different applications.

k ty and evry one else who posted a reply you guys realy helped i got playsand now lol was alot cheaper and got bigger bag i got the pepti sun thing frget witch on