Ok....got my first Beardie

[BPelizabeth]

actually it is my son's beardie. He is adorable little baby! I tried to do my research but I am sure as a newbie with this I have screwed something up.

I have him in a 20 gallon tank with a 100 watt power sun bulb. Got him at our local reptile store..he was bred by them. He told me when they are little not to use sand so I am using eco earth right now. But I have read that newspapers might be better. I also have branches in for him to climb on so that he can have a basking spot. The basking is about 115 at the highest spot. I have a small shallow water dish for him.

I put about 5 crickets in for him tonight as well as some small chopped collared greens and a quarter of a strawberry diced small. I know they don't use one but I also had a coconut hid I put in there.

The person stated at the store that I should turn the light off at night and that I will not need any other heat source as long as my house is in the mid 70's....is this correct?

Ok...well that is it....I will post some pics. Please don't flame me if I have screwed up anything. I am pretty fast on the learn ....so just let me know.

Thanks all!!

[Kuba]

Get him off of the eco earth, because of two reasons:
it gives off high humidity
and it can get the beardie impacted
put him on slate tile, or if your decided on the loose substrate then get some dirt from outside, and since your in the desert youll have the best type... but put the loose substrate on hold until he is an adult, but dry it off as it rained here today so it probably rained there

[BPelizabeth]

Ok sounds good I will do that asap!

Anything else you noticed that I am maybe not doing very well?

[BiggBaddWolf]

Beardies are cool, but I have never had any so dont know a thing about taking care of them sorry...LOL

[dembonez]

i may not know alot about bp's yet but i know my beardies!!



and best substrate hands down as a baby is paper towel or newspaper

i prefer paper towel it seems easier to know when he goes

[BPelizabeth]

lol dem....and I know my bp's....and not the beardies. Hey we can totally help each other.

[jacob985]

i use repticarpet for mine it is easy to clean, reusable, and looks good

[dembonez]

i use repticarpet for mine it is easy to clean, reusable, and looks good

in my opinion the only problem i have with repti carpet is that it smells and you need 2 sheets to replace when one gets soiled but all in all owning a reptile is about personal preference

[BPelizabeth]

Ok couple more questions.....

Since I am using the power sun bulb....should I still put calcium on the crickets and if I do should I get the powder that doesn't contain D3 since they are getting it from the bulb. (and I know that D3 can be really bad for tegus....don't know if this is true for beardies) And should I be dusting a multi vitamin as well. If so...how often do I do this?

Also .....how long to set the light up for....8 - 10 - or 12 hours a day.

I think that is about it....sorry guys...total newbie questions can be a drag I know..... But if you ever need advice on balls...I got your back...lol

[BPelizabeth]

Ok....1 more question...

With the tiles......don't they get too hot during the times that the lights are on? And don't they get too cold when the lights are off?


Ok....that is it...I swear!!