Comments and advice very welcome

[GINGER-TAZ]

Hi All, as you can see from the photos I have more or less completed my Viv, need a couple of more green bits on the left hand side near the branch for the Beardies to hide behind but apart from that I think for my first attempt as a first time Beardie owner this is not too bad.

Will be looking to change the background in the future as I think the wood is bland and boring.

ANY ADVICE / GUIDANCE AND COMMENTS WELCOMED, just be gentle with me as this is the first Viv I have ever set up and would like supportive and positive advice on how I can improve this, what may be a danger to the Beardies or what is a complete No No.

Thanks for looking. ANY AND ALL COMMENTS WELCOME.

Regards


TAZ

one photo showing left hand side, Viv is larger than it looks in the photo hence two heat lights, greenery is further away from the bulbs, would this be OK for the Beardies to bask on.

Two hides for them, one on left hand side behind the branch with more geenery to be put in place when bought. the other hide is behind the cork bark n the right, acess just behind small amount of greenery nea the floor and looking to open up the right front side as there is already a hole here, this would be second entry / exit (comments please)

Vis is deeper and longer than it looks, it is just my "stone age" camera and the way I took the shots, (5ft long / 2ft deep / 18" high)

http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...AZ/DADS131.jpg


http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...AZ/DADS132.jpg

http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...AZ/DADS133.jpg

[dannyboy1]

yeah it looks gd, is that a 4ft viv? Dnt no if u need 2 bulds, n that uv is hna blind u, lol, always hide my uv tubes up the top behind the bit where the top runner is, just make sure yr bd can get quite close 2 it

[dannyboy1]

sorry u said it was 5ft

[GINGER-TAZ]

Thanks, my concern was also about the UVB light, I was told that it should be placed around 20cm from the ground so the Beardies get the full benefit of the UVB, so anyone have any more comments on this I would be greatful, (it is a concern for me that it is too close to the climbing area.)

As for the TWO heat lights, these were provided with the Viv kit, and "apparently" is Ok for the width of the Viv, would it be OK to leave the two or would one be able to provide enough of a basking area AND help keep the heat levels up.

Also concern about the plastic plants, could this be an issue if the Beardies take a fancy to it and begin to eat it, ??

[ginnerone]

Originally Posted by GINGER-TAZ

Thanks, my concern was also about the UVB light, I was told that it should be placed around 20cm from the ground so the Beardies get the full benefit of the UVB, so anyone have any more comments on this I would be greatful, (it is a concern for me that it is too close to the climbing area.)

As for the TWO heat lights, these were provided with the Viv kit, and "apparently" is Ok for the width of the Viv, would it be OK to leave the two or would one be able to provide enough of a basking area AND help keep the heat levels up.

Also concern about the plastic plants, could this be an issue if the Beardies take a fancy to it and begin to eat it, ??

1 bulb would probably do it mate TBH, you'll need them on dimming stats so they don't go over the basking temps, the UVB tube looks fine mate, they will need to get close to it to get any benefit.
looks fine though mate, if you did want to move the UV tube higher make sure you give them the climbing aparatus to let them get withing about 6-8 inch of the tube.

[GINGER-TAZ]

Yeah thanks, Ginnerone, heat lights are on a dimming stat, not got the Beardies home as yet and as you can appreciate I want to ensure their now home is as good as can be.

As stated two heating lights came with the viv kit, got advice how to set them up, just concerened that the appropriate heat level would not be achieved if I took one away. ????

[ginnerone]

Originally Posted by GINGER-TAZ

Yeah thanks, Ginnerone, heat lights are on a dimming stat, not got the Beardies home as yet and as you can appreciate I want to ensure their now home is as good as can be.

As stated two heating lights came with the viv kit, got advice how to set them up, just concerened that the appropriate heat level would not be achieved if I took one away. ????

Ideal mate, i wish everyone would set their viv up and get it running before they bought there anilmals.
what wattage are they?
i shouldn't see a problem with 1 100W or 2 50W bulbs, they will both reach the desired temps, try to put as lower bulb wattage as possible so it dims less frequently and only dims slighly. not only does it look better but it doesn't disturb the beardie as much.

[lee young]

Looks good, just a few pointers. I would advise getting rid of the bark chippings, theyre really bad for impaction issues and can also hold damp, which is not good for beardies. Its best to use slate/ceramic tiles or newspaper, especially for babies, and if you want something more natural when the beardy is older switch to playsand.

Also, the bulbs you have look like blue light ones? Beardies do best with bright white lights as they are sun worshippers and usually associate light with heat, basking in the brightest spots. The UV is a good height, but its definitely worth investing in a reflector, they double the useable output of your UV tube.

Also, I'd say get a digital thermometer, those stick on ones are rubbish and can be way out. Other than that it looks good, plastic plants are fine, he might try and eat it once or twice but they soon learn its not food. Good luck with your beaedy, they are very addictive!

[GINGER-TAZ]

Thanks for your comments, all have been taken on board, (as my boring boss would say) I will be looking into some changes, I did hear a lot about bark as a substrate but the bark that came with the Viv was classed as reptile friendly, cant remember the name of it now.

Have thought of placing slate across the entire floor and will again look at this as I believe slate holds the heat, this would be good for my Beardies and for the electicity bill.

As for the lights, you could well be right, the colour was my choice as I saw this being used as a back drop for a fish tank and this looked really cool, (OK I know it was blue, and the sea is blue, and the fish come from the sea) LOL.

Thanks again I have only been on this site a few days, not even brought the Dragons home from the reptile shop yet but have been given some GREAT advice and have learnt quite a lot simply by reading other articles,

I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOU GUYS THANK YOU;

[GINGER-TAZ]

OH ONE OTHER THING.

In reply to the size (watts) of the heat bulbs these are two 60watts, would this be OK for the job or should I get rid.