My first Bearded Dragon

[ashbyuk]

Hi there, I bought a starter tank today for my Bearded Dragon which includes all the lamps needed. I have also bought the correct sand needed for my tank and a few branches and climbing accessories, plus a food and drink bowl. Im just looking for some advice on the best way I can set my tank up before I get my Dragon. I have never owned a lizard and I just want to make sure I look after it the best way possible. I spoke to someone in the pet shop and they gave me some advice but I felt they were unsure on some of the questions I was asking.
How close should I have the basking area under the basking lamp? Should it be directly underneath the lamp? Also what is the best temperature for the tank? I have been told that one end of the tank should be cooler than the other and what temperature should the tank be at night when the lamps are off?
Thanks for the help.

[Siders77]

Have a look at the care sheet here, it will tell you what you need. UK Breeder of High Quality Bearded Dragon Morphs - Hades Dragons UK

I'd avoid sand as well, kitchen roll or tiles would be better

[ashbyuk]

The starter tank that I bought comes with a 150w Neodymium basking spot lamp. I was also recomended by the pet shop to buy a thermostat which I have. I have connected this to the basking lamp. The thermostat keeps turning the lamp on and off when the temp is correct. Is this normal or should the basking lamp be on all day then turned off at night?

[amylou]

Originally Posted by ashbyuk

The starter tank that I bought comes with a 150w Neodymium basking spot lamp. I was also recomended by the pet shop to buy a thermostat which I have. I have connected this to the basking lamp. The thermostat keeps turning the lamp on and off when the temp is correct. Is this normal or should the basking lamp be on all day then turned off at night?

sounds like u have been sold the wrong stat then, u need a dimming stat which "dims" the light when the basking spot gets to hot.

[ashbyuk]

Also my starter tank has four bulbs, two 26w and two 25w plus the basking lamp. Is this too much for the tank?

[lee young]

Ok, You need a dimming thermostat for the main basking bulb, not an on/off one. In addition to the main basking bulb you need a UV source, the tube lights are much better than the compact ones and should be used with a reflector, positioned so that your dragon can get within 10-12 inches of the bulb. The Arcadia 12% tube is probably the best one to go for, but a repti-glo or repti-sun 10% will do. At night time its fine if the viv temps drop, but shouldn't be allowed to drop below 60F. If your room gets colder than this then the best thing to use is a ceramic heat bulb (which you can use your current on/off thermostat for) to keep the hot end at 65F ish through the night.

You haven't said how big your tank is, but for a baby the hot end should be 100F and the cool end 80F, with a basking spot of 110. This is slightly lower for older beardies. Measure your temps with an electronic thermometer, the stick on ones are rubbish and can be over 10F out either way.

[ashbyuk]

cheers.. I've had my baby dragon for about a week now and the last couple of days all he seems to be doing is sleeping. I have read online that this could be a sign of him being ill. He is eating fine but just wants to sleep. Even when I take him out the tank he jut closes his eyes when on my hand. His tail is starting to shed skin, could this be the reason?

[lee young]

It could be parasites, but if he's eating well then it might just be the temps. What are the temperatures like in your viv? You need to measure them with an electronic thermometer, the stick on ones are rubbish and are usually wayyyy out. For babies, you ideally want a basking spot of 110 ish, hot end 95, cool end 85. If the temps are a bit low it will make him sleepy/lethargic, but it also means he might not be digesting his food properly.