hey

a week or so I plan on gettin my 1st bearded dragon. Im so excited im a little confused on the lighting. I've been reading up but im confused on how much and exactly what light bulbs they need. I wanna make sure I have everything I need. So those of you who do have Bearded Dragon's can you just make a list of every exact thing I need so I can check my list and make sure I didnt miss anything! thanks alot

P.S. my apartment is always cold. Do you leave the light on @ nite?

You can just buy one bulb which will have UVB and be used for basking. Its a Mega Ray. Lights should be on for 12 hrs and off for 12 hrs. When winter hits you can cut it back to 10 on and 14 off.

How cold does it get? If it is above 60 degrees then you dont need any heat source at night. They need a cool down period.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

The most important thing to have would be a UVB Light. You would not want to leave the light on all night, but instead try a Ceramic Heat Emitter or Under tank heater. These will both provide heat without the light. You also need to give your dragon a basking spot as well. Have you decided what kind of set-up you are going to have?

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mm its really cold in here now, the heat sucks here. I need to get an indoor thermometer for myself. Its 51 degrees outside right now, im from new york. I would say its just about 60 degrees in here now. and it hasnt even gotten that cold yet. Im so guess I will need to have a light at nite or how about a under the tank heater? or any other ideas?

Im getting a baby Bearded Dragon. So what do you think is good to start off with is 40gallon ok? Where the heat is , is called the basking spot right? sorry so new to this lol. So I would need a UVB light plus a Ceramic Heat Emitter/Under tank heater or either or?

I would suggest going ahead and getting the largest enclosure you have space for. It is cheaper to just have to buy one rather than getting a new one every time they outgrow the old... And I would also say that for an adult you don't really want to go smaller than a 55gal. Even that I noticed wasn't quite as deep as I would have liked for mine and she was a small sized adult.

Lighting~ Marsha suggested the MegaRay which is a UVB bulb that you can use as a basking spot. someone else needs to chime in here about if it would work to create the temp. gradient that the dragon would need or if an additional light would be needed as well???

the Ceramic Heat Emitter or Under Tank Heater are both good ideas, and Rich also suggested another one to Liz for her frogs that I really don't know about, so maybe he can chime in on that one... The benefit to the Under Tank Heater is that after the dragon eats, the heat coming up from the bottom onto its tummy will aid in digestion.

Also, have you thought about what kind of substrate and fixtures you are going to put in, and what kind of diet do you plan on offering?

I would plan on having the tank set up at least a couple of days prior to getting the animal so that you can make sure that you have the temps and all right... you will want 2 thermometers (one at each end of the tank) to be able to measure the temp gradient and also might consider putting what ever additional heat source you get on a thermostat. You will want at least one bowl to put the veggies in and if you plan on also offering pellet food, another bowl for that. I would also suggest a couple of branches for it to climb on and you should not forget a cave or log or some form of hide.

hope this helps some, don't be in a rush to get the animal before you have a good idea of how to care for it, and have a home set up.

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Read up: http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...-t15.html?t=15

Things that appeal top first time owners that you should AVOID include, but are not limited to:
Calci-sand (or any sand at all for babies and juveniles)
Crushed Walnut shells
Hot Rocks
"Full spectrum basking bulbs" that have no information on UVB output.
Impulse buying the new addition a "friend" They are solitary and well be fine (and better off) without.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

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