General Care

SnoopySnake · 08-18-15, 08:11 AM

So I know the basics for beardies, but its been a long time since I've had one, so I wanna know your best tips and suggestions. I know they need UVB, I'm curious about temps though. I've heard of some people keeping them at 90-100 and some people keeping them at 120. So whats best? I'd probably do bioactive, so substrate and plant suggestions are also welcome. Can an adult beardie eat adult dubia roaches? Should they be dusted? I'd like to breed its food but I don't want anything that can live in normal house temps.

**lady_bug87** · 08-18-15, 08:50 AM

I kept mine at 120 on deep soil. Seemed to work well

SnoopySnake · 08-18-15, 06:31 PM

What kind of heat source did you use, and what kind of UVB?

pinefamily · 08-19-15, 03:35 AM

We keep ours on washed playsand, bought from our local hardware store in bags. Temps 40-45 Celsius on the basking area, 32 at the warm end, and low to mid 20's at the cool end. We use a white 100w light for heat, with a separate spiral UV globe, 10.0 rating.
A lot of keepers here in Oz use an MVB globe instead, which provides heat and UV in one.
Real plants are not good for beardies, as it can leave them open to RI's.
We try to dust their prey at least 2 or 3 times a week; the adults we even sprinkle a little on their greens.
Hope this helps.

**lady_bug87** · 08-19-15, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinefamily

We keep ours on washed playsand, bought from our local hardware store in bags. Temps 40-45 Celsius on the basking area, 32 at the warm end, and low to mid 20's at the cool end. We use a white 100w light for heat, with a separate spiral UV globe, 10.0 rating.
A lot of keepers here in Oz use an MVB globe instead, which provides heat and UV in one.
Real plants are not good for beardies, as it can leave them open to RI's.
We try to dust their prey at least 2 or 3 times a week; the adults we even sprinkle a little on their greens.
Hope this helps.

basically all of this. Wr used 150w halogen and a separate uvb bulb. My lacertas have a mvb

SnoopySnake · 08-19-15, 09:47 AM

Is MVB mercury vapor bulb? Also how can plants cause/leave them open to RI..?

**lady_bug87** · 08-19-15, 09:49 AM

Yes for the mvb. I'm going to say that live plants increase humidity a fair amount which could cause RIs? I don't think bearded dragons are tooo susceptible to them

SnoopySnake · 08-19-15, 10:04 AM

Thats what I figured, I plan on using desert plants/succulents that would be safe if ingested and plenty of ventilation. I'll definitely be doing a bit more research though.

pinefamily · 08-19-15, 02:54 PM

Over here, virtually no one has live plants in with their beardies, basically for the reason Lady Bug87 mentioned. Long exposure to damp conditions can lead to an RI. I suppose the odd desert plant might be ok, but if it was me I wouldn't take the risk.
Plenty of rocks and branches for them to climb and bask on, and they're happy

.