Hi Everyone,
First of all, let me thank all of you for the loads of information we've weeded through and compiled from this forum, and for letting us lurk before getting our dragon. We're not brand new to Kingsnake, but this is our first beardie, so howdy from Texas to what I'm sure will be one of our favorite forums in the time to come! 
Merlin is a 2 1/2 month old male, yellow and orange from a vermillion red line - I'll get pics someday, a digital camera is next on our list of purchases. We've had him just a week, and he's healthy, happy, eats and digests well, and is wonderful. It was actually my idea to get him, although my son has taken him over.. LOL I was raised with unusual animals and reptiles, but the reptile side was usually snakes, mixed in with smaller lizards and turtles (amphibian, I know 
). I'd never been around a dragon until being around my son's friend's dragon. They are sooo much more interactive and personable than a snake, I couldn't resist. I've been in close contact with the breeder I got him from for info about what and how much he was fed to ensure his transition wasn't stressful, and unlike I've seen from some posts, he was eating the afternoon of shipment - didn't seem to stress him at all.
Because I know some will ask, I'll divulge his setup info.. lol
55 gallon tank, and yes we took the time to make sure the temps were right and stabilized, UVA and UVB lighting (that took some time in a 55 gal, lemme tell ya! LOL) in all areas - basking (hottest being about 112, mid-level is 110, low level about 105), cool side (78 - 80), and ambient temp from the cool side over rises to about 90. He has a 3-level basking area with a hide spot under the medium level, food and water on the cooler side. We take him out of the tank to feed because it's so large: besides, that's one of my favorite times to interact with him. Another 'hidespot' on the cooler end is a log with a silk plant that he can crawl under and in and disappear.
Our only goof was the substrate, and it is a controversial goof, I see, so no yelling or lectures, please! (hehe) We did use the alfalfa pellets, because that's what the friend's larger dragon is on with no problems. He doesn't eat his crix in the tank, though, so he won't gobble a pellet by mistake. We keep it scooped and are careful with the water so bacteria doesn't have a growing spot, but I do want to change it. Now the decision lies with what to use - oy vey.
Anyway, we've posted a couple of posts already, but I wanted to take the time to give a proper 'hello' and give y'all a warning that you will be seeing lots of us - breeding is definitely in the future - how else do you expect a single mom to pay for college?? LOL
Ok, I've bored you enough - Happy Day and thanks again,
The Mom half
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Denise (Mom) and/or Jared (son)
Take care!
