Getting Serious for KyJinn - Page 3

NennaMeerkat · 04-26-11, 07:47 PM

Congrats for being able to work with tools LOL I am horrid at it.

sickvenom · 04-26-11, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Honestly I have never heard of anyone using an UTH for a dragon. Same reason why you don't use a heat rock. They have problems with burning their bellies.

those are two different types of heat sources that operate in two different fashions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Besides the heat that the ground retains in the desert is nothing like the heat given off from a heat rock or UTH.

it is similar to uth. the heat radiates from the ground.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

I would think if I put in some normal flat rocks in there they would absorb plenty of heat from the heating lamp.

that would work if the rocks were directly under the heat lamp. but it's still not the same as having heat come from the ground/substrate.

i don't understand why more people don't use belly heat with dragons. especially when these people supposedly want to 'mimic' their natural habitat?????

NennaMeerkat · 04-28-11, 12:17 PM

So today I went out and bought one of those expensive (80 bucks) dual heat and UV light in one...got home and it isn't working. On top of that I don't have my reciepts to take it back to exchange. So 80 bucks wasted. Good news is my hoggie had a UV light (just so her tank is brighter during the day) so I swiped that and am using KyJinn's old heat bulb and this UV bulb until I can afford to snag another dual bulb. Man ya'll weren't kidding about the expensive part...more than the 20 gallon tank I bought today.

Oh and I bought a small set of about 5 natural flat rocks for his basking spot...but I need to raise them up a bit. But at least it is starting somewhere. Just buy some more rocks or more substrate to pile in that area.

Anyways...now husband is saying he wants to get different substrate besides the alfalfa pellets since it makes the tank look "tacky". So I am wondering if I mix the alfalfa with crushed walnut OR reptile sand will it be safe enough for my dragon? I read somewhere that older dragons aren't as "clumsy" when they eat crickets and are thus less likely to become impacted than babies/juveniles.

ilovemypets1988 · 04-28-11, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

So today I went out and bought one of those expensive (80 bucks) dual heat and UV light in one...got home and it isn't working. On top of that I don't have my reciepts to take it back to exchange. So 80 bucks wasted. Good news is my hoggie had a UV light (just so her tank is brighter during the day) so I swiped that and am using KyJinn's old heat bulb and this UV bulb until I can afford to snag another dual bulb. Man ya'll weren't kidding about the expensive part...more than the 20 gallon tank I bought today.

Oh and I bought a small set of about 5 natural flat rocks for his basking spot...but I need to raise them up a bit. But at least it is starting somewhere. Just buy some more rocks or more substrate to pile in that area.

Anyways...now husband is saying he wants to get different substrate besides the alfalfa pellets since it makes the tank look "tacky". So I am wondering if I mix the alfalfa with crushed walnut OR reptile sand will it be safe enough for my dragon? I read somewhere that older dragons aren't as "clumsy" when they eat crickets and are thus less likely to become impacted than babies/juveniles.

i dunno if this will help but i use repti sand for my gecko and she seems alright with it so im sure it would be fine with a beardie and bad luck with the bulb

sickvenom · 04-28-11, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

So today I went out and bought one of those expensive (80 bucks) dual heat and UV light in one...got home and it isn't working. On top of that I don't have my reciepts to take it back to exchange.

uh... what happened to the receipt from the time you bought it, to the time you got home?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Anyways...now husband is saying he wants to get different substrate besides the alfalfa pellets since it makes the tank look "tacky". So I am wondering if I mix the alfalfa with crushed walnut OR reptile sand will it be safe enough for my dragon? I read somewhere that older dragons aren't as "clumsy" when they eat crickets and are thus less likely to become impacted than babies/juveniles.

i wouldn't use sand. remember, you will need to fully change the substrate once a month.

NennaMeerkat · 04-29-11, 06:19 AM

uh... what happened to the receipt from the time you bought it, to the time you got home?

Exactly what I was wondering. For all I know it wasn't fully in the bag when I was carrying everything out (had more than just the lamp) and the wind caught it.

i wouldn't use sand. remember, you will need to fully change the substrate once a month.

Eh true. What about the crushed walnut?

ilovemypets1988 · 04-29-11, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickvenom

i wouldn't use sand. remember, you will need to fully change the substrate once a month.

thas easy to change, use the pan part of a dust pan and brush, works a treat with me and if any sand is left, use the brush to sweep it on the pan, well thas what i do anyway and it works

sickvenom · 04-29-11, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

[i]

Eh true. What about the crushed walnut?

Not very easy for a beardie to digest if accidently swallowed. It looks decent enough though.

NennaMeerkat · 04-29-11, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickvenom

Not very easy for a beardie to digest if accidently swallowed. It looks decent enough though.

What if mix it with the alfalfa I already have? I was considering doing that with the sand as well. Whatever I do get will more than likely be mixed with the alfalfa to try and bring the risk factor down.

sickvenom · 04-29-11, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

What if mix it with the alfalfa I already have? I was considering doing that with the sand as well. Whatever I do get will more than likely be mixed with the alfalfa to try and bring the risk factor down.

honestly, i have a real hard time recommending walnut for any herp. i have seen so many horrible cases of impaction, it's not even funny. plus, it develops mold easily. the easiest substrate for beardies is no substrate at all. use cage carpet.

NennaMeerkat · 04-29-11, 05:32 PM

Yeah I know that it is the safest but KyJinn was on walnut for almost 2 years and in the last year and a half he was on reptile safe Millet (wish they still made it) and now the Alfalfa. I enjoy giving loose substrate to him because he enjoys digging into it and making a ditch for him to sleep in.

After 3 years of various loose substrates I would hate to change it now and deny him something he likes to do. And he is such a careful and finicky eater if something gets in his mouth and he doesn't like it, he will eject it and whatever might be there he wants to eat before he swallows. At this point I am not worried on impaction as I would be if he was still a young inexperienced dragon.

sickvenom · 04-29-11, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Yeah I know that it is the safest but KyJinn was on walnut for almost 2 years and in the last year and a half he was on reptile safe Millet (wish they still made it) and now the Alfalfa. I enjoy giving loose substrate to him because he enjoys digging into it and making a ditch for him to sleep in.

After 3 years of various loose substrates I would hate to change it now and deny him something he likes to do. And he is such a careful and finicky eater if something gets in his mouth and he doesn't like it, he will eject it and whatever might be there he wants to eat before he swallows. At this point I am not worried on impaction as I would be if he was still a young inexperienced dragon.

i understand what you are thinking. but impaction can happen at any age. lizards can get frantic and careless during feeding and before you know it - something bad when down the pipe. now, like i mentioned in the other thread - lizards are good at recognizing foreign objects, but even the smallest piece of walnut could cause problems. of course the downside to pellets is that your cage will smell like a barn. most of the reptile store owners i know refuse to stock walnut because of the potential problems. ultimately it's your decision and i don't believe anyone will think badly of you if you choose walnut mixed with pellet. it's not like you're keeping it on a bed of nails. just be aware of the potential health risks.

NennaMeerkat · 04-29-11, 05:45 PM

Oh yeah trust me sick I am aware of the risks which is why I wish they would provide the millet again. It didn't cause impaction, didn't smell, and generally didn't mold as long as you kept the cage clean and "sifted" through it to stir is up a bit. Unfortunately because of the increase in millet price they discontinued it. Probably look into some sand instead of walnut and mix it with my alfalfa just to buffer the smell of it some. It doesn't bother me but apparently my husband can't stand it.

mrherpdotca · 04-29-11, 05:55 PM

Why not tile? Every home store has a clearance section of tile for less than a buck a foot. 6-8 tiles is all you need. Last forever, hygienic, Looks nice, no chance of impaction and helps keep their nails short.

C

sickvenom · 04-29-11, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrherpdotca

Why not tile? Every home store has a clearance section of tile for less than a buck a foot. 6-8 tiles is all you need. Last forever, hygienic, Looks nice, no chance of impaction and helps keep their nails short.

C

i have used ceramic tile but not vinyl. a beardie would tear up vinyl.