First Beardie Questions

Abraxxos · 08-19-13, 12:54 PM

So the Daytona expo was this weekend and I brought home a little beardie for my boyfriend and I. My good camera is lost somewhere in the abyss of my apartment so I have to deal with cruddy webcam pictures, but it's better than nothing.

Here is the enclosure:

Take note that the heat lamp has been moved closer to the rock structure so it sits near the top.

So, we've named him Tesla and have just a few questions:

His diet: I've picked up crickets and super worms. I picked up calcium dust and vitamin dust. (Vita one day cal the next) I also picked up some beardie pellets just in case. As for veggies I picked up fresh turnip greens and cilantro. Then tomatoes, peaches, cantaloupe, mango, and kiwi for sharing to see what all fruits I can get him to eat. I might be forgetting something, but if you think there's something I need to change, do tell.

His enclosure: He is in a 20 long for now with play sand. The rocks serve as both his hide and his basking spot although there is also adequate space to hide on the cool side under the large artificial plant. This is also where his salad bowl is. His cool side is sitting about 86-90 and his basking spot is about 102-106. At the highest point of pride rock, the temp is hitting about 109. Some people were telling me I need a basking spot between 100 and 110, so I thought this would be a good in between. I'm using a bulb that's both heat and UVB.

I'm currently drawing a blank on other information. If I'm doing something wrong, please tell me. I'm more of a snake person myself and this is going to be my first lizard as well as the boyfriends first reptile. So tips and advice please.

Also, the bulb is a 160 watt (they sold out of the 125 I wanted) and the bulb, if I turn it off, won't turn back on for a while. Is this normal? The bulb also sort of smells like it's burning but I can't see that it is. It's driving me nuts. Any ideas? What should I do? Should I even be worried about it?

thinkbig317 · 08-19-13, 01:11 PM

My MVB bulb does the same thing! Only smelt like it was burning though when I first got it and it went away shorlty after. But if I giggle the cord or mess with it at all it will turn off....then come back on a little bit after. It's weird. I would be careful w/ the tomatoes due to them being acidic. Also 90 F on the cool side is too warm. I wouldnt let the cool side get above 85 F. They need to be able to cool down when they need to. Everything else looks and sounds great! Good luck!

Abraxxos · 08-19-13, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkbig317

My MVB bulb does the same thing! Only smelt like it was burning though when I first got it and it went away shorlty after. But if I giggle the cord or mess with it at all it will turn off....then come back on a little bit after. It's weird. I would be careful w/ the tomatoes due to them being acidic. Also 90 F on the cool side is too warm. I wouldnt let the cool side get above 85 F. They need to be able to cool down when they need to. Everything else looks and sounds great! Good luck!

So it isn't just my bulb. That's odd.

I read that you can feed tomatoes but to do it rarely.

Got it, scoot the heat lamp to let one side get cooler. Thanks!

Hannibalcanibal · 08-19-13, 01:16 PM

If it is a MVB (mercury vapor bulb), then yes, it is normal for it not to turn on if it is turned off, they have a built in timer.

I'm not sure if cilantro is safe to feed, because it is aromatic, but i'm not 100%sure either way.

I'd keep the basking spot 110-120 degrees, remember, they come from Australia, so it's not like it's going to get too hot unless it can burn him.

How big is he? A twenty long is not going to be big enough for an adult, they "need" at least a forty gallon long, though i would recommend a 4x2x2 for an adult.

Also... With tomatoes, they are part of the nightshade family, so i'd not feed too much in case the fruit has any toxins.

thinkbig317 · 08-19-13, 01:19 PM

Cilantro is safe (high vit A) but I would not feed as a staple.

Hannibalcanibal · 08-19-13, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkbig317

Cilantro is safe (high vit A) but I would not feed as a staple.

Thank you for the confirmation.

Yeah, as a staple i just feed organic kale and swiss chard i grow myself, it's cheap and is nutritious.

Keep in mind i do feed them other plant matter on occasion, but not as a staple.

Abraxxos · 08-19-13, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibalcanibal

If it is a MVB (mercury vapor bulb), then yes, it is normal for it not to turn on if it is turned off, they have a built in timer.

I'm not sure if cilantro is safe to feed, because it is aromatic, but i'm not 100%sure either way.

I'd keep the basking spot 110-120 degrees, remember, they come from Australia, so it's not like it's going to get too hot unless it can burn him.

How big is he? A twenty long is not going to be big enough for an adult, they "need" at least a forty gallon long, though i would recommend a 4x2x2 for an adult.

Also... With tomatoes, they are part of the nightshade family, so i'd not feed too much in case the fruit has any toxins.

He's a baby baby. I can't remember how many weeks the guy said, but hes only... 3-4 inches... maybe? He's tiny. I have a 55 set aside for when he gets big enough.

Hannibalcanibal · 08-19-13, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxxos

He's a baby baby. I can't remember how many weeks the guy said, but hes only... 3-4 inches... maybe? He's tiny. I have a 55 set aside for when he gets big enough.

Planning ahead i see

Good for you, i hate seeing people keeping full-grown beardies in tiny tanks... the worst i saw was a five gallon in a kijiji ad.

Abraxxos · 08-19-13, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibalcanibal

Planning ahead i see

Good for you, i hate seeing people keeping full-grown beardies in tiny tanks... the worst i saw was a five gallon in a kijiji ad.

Most definitely. If you're not going to take the time and money to make an effort to properly care for an animal, why get one? I looked up stuff on beardies and most said the same you did, minimum of a 40 gal, comfy in a 50+. I got a deal a few months ago on a bunch of 55's so I have 5 of them and only 3 are being used.

Valvaren · 08-19-13, 02:50 PM

Nutrition Content

murrindindi · 08-19-13, 03:28 PM

Hi, there`s a minimum enclosure size for some MVB`s, what make is it?
Also, the minimum distance from the surface of the bulb to the surface of the animal (not the surface of the basking object) is usually around 30cm (12 inches).
The problem with these small tanks is that it`s extremely difficult to get a decent temp gradient, the dragon would be far better housed in a larger enclosure right now.
You basically need to know two temps; the coolest ambient (air) @ approx. 24c (75f), then the SURFACE temp at the basking site @ between approx. 40 to 43c+ (105 to 110f+). The humidity should range between approx. 30 to 50%+, the lower figure will be around the basking area.

Abraxxos · 08-19-13, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, there`s a minimum enclosure size for some MVB`s, what make is it?
Also, the minimum distance from the surface of the bulb to the surface of the animal (not the surface of the basking object) is usually around 30cm (12 inches).
The problem with these small tanks is that it`s extremely difficult to get a decent temp gradient, the dragon would be far better housed in a larger enclosure right now.
You basically need to know two temps; the coolest ambient (air) @ approx. 24c (75f), then the SURFACE temp at the basking site @ between approx. 40 to 43c+ (105 to 110f+). The humidity should range between approx. 30 to 50%+, the lower figure will be around the basking area.

The ambient temp in my apartment is between 76 and 80. It doesn't get any hotter unless I'm away for a day or so. I was told by the breeder to allow them within 12 inches and to give them a climb so they may get as close as they want. I'm getting a lot of mixed readings from people and sites saying basking spot should be 100-106 to 100-110 to 110-120 and I'm really sitting here going.... Oh boy... ^_^;

Edit: I don't know what bulb exactly it is. I'm not at my apartment right now to look but it's a 160 watt.

Hannibalcanibal · 08-19-13, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxxos

The ambient temp in my apartment is between 76 and 80. It doesn't get any hotter unless I'm away for a day or so. I was told by the breeder to allow them within 12 inches and to give them a climb so they may get as close as they want. I'm getting a lot of mixed readings from people and sites saying basking spot should be 100-106 to 100-110 to 110-120 and I'm really sitting here going.... Oh boy... ^_^;

Any of those will work, but everyone has different ideas as to how hot they should be kept. I keep mine 110-120, but most breeders i have talked too say 100-110.

IMO, unless it can burn your lizard and unless it will make the enclosure too hot, anything above 100 is fine.

Also, it is most likely a MVB, as those are the only ones i am aware of that are commonly available at pet stores, emit uvb and come in 125 and 160 watts.

Valvaren · 08-19-13, 04:20 PM

I also agree with bigger being better. I have my Dragon in a 4x2x2 and she loves it. More active and happier then in any tank.

murrindindi · 08-19-13, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxxos

The ambient temp in my apartment is between 76 and 80. It doesn't get any hotter unless I'm away for a day or so. I was told by the breeder to allow them within 12 inches and to give them a climb so they may get as close as they want. I'm getting a lot of mixed readings from people and sites saying basking spot should be 100-106 to 100-110 to 110-120 and I'm really sitting here going.... Oh boy... ^_^;

Edit: I don't know what bulb exactly it is. I'm not at my apartment right now to look but it's a 160 watt.

You need to find out exactly what the minimum distance should be from the surface of the bulb to the surface of the animal. I`ve been using MVB`s for many years, if the manufacturers instructions are not followed precisely they can cause serious burns (the info should be in the instructions that came with the bulb).
The bulb looked to be on a slight angle, if that`s the case it shortens the life of it considerably, it needs to be hanging straight down.