Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What in your opinion is the best UV light on the market right now? And what supplements are really good for beardies and what ones are crap? I know all about calcium but I'm wondering about the fifty random other supplements that seem to be out there, like stuff that claims to be all the vitamins a beardie needs and some that say they equalize the crickets or something...just wondering about this stuff. Oh, and you know what I've really wondered about? I've really wondered if I'm the poorest reptile keeper out there. Reptile keepers seem to always have tons of different kinds of reptiles and right now all I can afford is three beardies when I'd really like to have at least ten. I'll read posts or be in chats and people will have like, six beardies, a few leos, a couple huge snakes, a monitor, and a partridge in a pear tree. Sorry to rant...I just want to know where people get all this money to take care of so many pets!!

"What in your opinion is the best UV light on the market right now? And what supplements are really good for beardies and what ones are crap? I know all about calcium but I'm wondering about the fifty random other supplements that seem to be out there, like stuff that claims to be all the vitamins a beardie needs and some that say they equalize the crickets or something...just wondering about this stuff."

Well I can tell you a lot of people like and use Herptivite multivitamins for their multivitamin supp. Also, I think a popular one is the TRex supplements. My personal experience with them is not that great with one of my beardies but others seem to have no problems. Also, I think the supplements are fairly new on the market. I'd ask others opinions on the TRex supps.

"Oh, and you know what I've really wondered about? I've really wondered if I'm the poorest reptile keeper out there. Reptile keepers seem to always have tons of different kinds of reptiles and right now all I can afford is three beardies when I'd really like to have at least ten. I'll read posts or be in chats and people will have like, six beardies, a few leos, a couple huge snakes, a monitor, and a partridge in a pear tree. Sorry to rant...I just want to know where people get all this money to take care of so many pets!!"

Heh, I started out like that. Somehow all these reptiles started appearing in my home and before I knew it all of them were eating more than I was. Every morning I go straight to my reptiles just to get the day started. I've sold all of my posessions just to get that "one last reptile" but it never seems to end. I've tried several 12 step programs to fight the addiction but all have failed. Now I'm eating dog food so I can save up for another one.
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Rob Talkington

I agree Rob. I don't think that the 12 step program has been perfected yet. We should put some thought into this and see if we can cxome up with something to help this along...LOL

As for the Trex supps I wouldn't reccomend them for people who are new to keeping beardies. I haven't personally had any problems but several have and new keepers may not know what to look for to keep problems down. I would stay with herptivite and a calcium with D3 powder suppliment on my crickets, especially hatchlings through subadults then maybe switch over to the trex supps after You had some good experience as a keeper.

Most of the people in this room I think have started with just a pair or trio and as they grow and breed you can trade babies for other babies and use the money from your sales ( if you make any money your first couple years) to buy crickets and such. Bottom line, you have to invest lots of money and time into your reptiles before you can get the desired results your aiming for. (either that or you have to be fairly wealthy or willing to eat dog food to get what you want right off the bat... LOL)
Good luck with your babies!!

Robert Wood
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I know you like to think that your $h1T don't stink but bend a lil closer see your roses still smell like poo poopoo
( OutKast )

I agree about the Trex supps. I wonder what the status on this stuff is right now? I mean I wonder who is still having problems and who is not. Are you using the Trex right now?
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Rob Talkington

I use a Exo-Terra 8.0 it seems to be doing fine. I have used the Repti-sun 5.0 for Chameleons and such for some time. I have not used those 2 way heat and UV self ballested lights but heard they blow out alot. I use Bone-aid calcium right now for my beardie but will be switching to the T-Rex/Sandfire super foods Bearded dragon formula as soon as it is gone. I use the leopard gecko dust and the crested gecko diet right now from them and find it to be a super product. It starts out as a small project and then gets bigger. I started out breeding a trio of Blizzard leos, now am into leos,cresteds,beardies,redtail boas,rainbow boas,corn snakes oh, and my new pair of Uroplatus Fimbriatus (giant leaf tail geckos). Yea it cost a bit to feed everybody if you don't buy in bulk. Wait till you breed a couple things then it really starts. I had a year where I had 100 baby leos,50 baby veiled chameleons and 36 baby corn snakes. Now talk about a food bill. The pinkies for the baby corns was staggering at first. If you put all profit back into the program though it helps.
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"Why is it we treat the earth as if we have a spare in the trunk"

Go here and it will help you see what is the best UVB light on the market.

UVB Reviews

I use the Powersuns from ZooMed and they have worked well for me for 7-8 months so far.
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Rob Talkington