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 #2090601


Snickersdad
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Hi I have a 2 year old Bearded Dragon named Snickers that is 12 in long in a 20 gallon tank but before you say anything I am in the process of having a 3X3X2 (LXWXH) cage made by my uncle with grouted tile. I need ideas for decor. I also need ideas with food I feed her or Him crickets, Super worms, Wax worms as treats, Silkworms(just ordered), Horn worms(Just ordered), and a salad consisting of lettuce squash and cucumber, bananas as treats, blueberries, raspberries, and watermelon. Please help with this and I use calcium dust.
11/01/09  01:08pm

 #2090643


Cphill58
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090601


 New Person

Dad ...
Here are some sites that pertain to and cross over from ...regarding food ...Bananas are very poor to use as treats...the calcium phosphorus levels are completely upside down...calcium is .3 and Phos is 1.0

Anyway I made the same mistake too..look here and see some of the favs’s I have
Because this site has a restriction about this paticular site you will have to find it yourself ...the others I can link you to directly...
beautiful>>>dragons.com (remove the arrows ) this site hates that site ...sad

Melissa Kaplan
Tricias
Believe me when I say water dragons and and beardies all enjoy the same basic greens and other items...even the iguana eats the same veggies as our dragons...yes I know the iguana is strictly a vegan ... but the veggies are loaded in calcium.
1 more iggy site that lists the calcium phos ratios in veggies and fruits...look to items that are higher in calcium than Phos
Food chart ratios

Grapes are a good treat..almost 1 to 1 ratio...what ya got for lighting??
Let me know if you need information in that area too...

Chris
11/01/09  04:19pm

 #2090659


Snickersdad
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   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2090643


 New Person

I have 1 heat lamp and I think a 10.0 UVB lIFE THE ONE FOR THE DESERT



11/01/09  04:48pm

 #2090679


Snickersdad
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090659


 New Person

I am using paper towels for the substrate but I am getting a repticarpet and new uvb bulb. And for refrence I did have a leopard gecko for 3 years who died while I was away because my babysitter didn’t feed her. I had 2 water dragons but sadly one recieved a cold and we spent days giving her shots and hand feeding here but she didn’t make it. My other baby jumped and hit her head on the decor peice and bleed to death while I was gone. Those were my saddest moments I am keeping careful watch on snickers she will be looked after well. I have had six pets in our reptile family 4 were mine and 2 my brother and I am determined not to let anything happen to Snickers
11/01/09  05:23pm

 #2090685


Cphill58
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090659


 New Person

Heat is a good thing. I have heard so many reports of the analog dial thermometers being completely off I never purchased them...I hear these are much more accurate to measure in two places at 1 time.

Digital W/ Probe

Basically the main unit goes on one side and the probe goes on the other ...telling you the hot and cool temps...A basking / hot spot of 100-105 should be available...and a cool side of 80-85 during the day..should the dragon choose to cool off.

I personally prefer this for measuring all my enclosures and heating arrangements...

PE-1 Temp gun
The price used to be 25.00 ...inflation strikes again

For UVB I like to be very specific ...using brand names and numerical wodel numbers ...
For example ...48" Reptic Sun 10.0 UVB linear tube ...or flourescent tells me a lot of info. Or the mention of a MVB without a name brand or wattage stirs more questions...

So you have a Zilla Desert series bulb?? what strength is it ...what series is it?

What I eventually am trying to do , is lead you to purchase a safe and proper bulb for your dragon ...if you have one of the lesser quality items.

The age is important too ...bulbs expire their UVB output anywhere from 8-10 months depending on the brand...and they need replacing. If that is somethiong you would like to do I would be happy to link you to a site that will provide studies and options , so you can make your own choices.

BTW , welcome to the forums..

Chris
11/01/09  05:27pm

 #2090692


Cphill58
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   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2090685


 New Person

Quote:

I had 2 water dragons but sadly one recieved a cold and we spent days giving her shots and hand feeding here but she didn’t make it. My other baby jumped and hit her head on the decor peice and bleed to death while I was gone. Those were my saddest moments



I am truly sorry , I too have lost a precious Water Dragon to a stubborn infection that Visa and Vets could not cure....
It hurts ...after the pain subsides the doubt sets in ...and finally we try again. I am sure that you are doing just fine, actually I have heard and seen far worse... A few tweaks here and there and you will be set .

You will meet many here who will be helpful... test each bit of advise and always ask twice when in doubt.

Happy to help anytime I can

Chris
11/01/09  05:47pm

 #2090695


Snickersdad
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   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2090685


 New Person

Thanks I will buy one next time I hit up Pet Smart so any ideas for a good one I think it is a 24" because of my 20 gallon.
11/01/09  05:50pm

 #2090699


Snickersdad
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090695


 New Person

Thanks about her she had a calcium defiance during my ignorance day’s and i had to give her a shot of calcium through a syringe daily for 2 weeks and hand fed here in a little box with a screen over it with a UVB light.
11/01/09  05:52pm

 #2090712


Cphill58
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090699


 New Person

Well if you like you can go online to LLL reptile.com and purchase a reptiSUN...not flukers ...not Repti GLO..

REPTISUN..the light is a T-8 size ...they are trying to eliminate the T-12’s as the industry is on an energy saving program ...every linear flourescent bulb has the fine print on it that states the T designation....usually on the end close to the metal cap. Once you get there web site and see the page...contact them by phone to place the order and confirm the proper size..they are much less then Pet Co...even with shipping.

A 10.0 is appropriate ...a linear tube ...never the compact or CF lights.

There is much to read about the dangerous bulbs and the weak bulbs , if you have time... I welcome you to learn as much as you can.

You can also investigate a Mecury Vapor bulb ( AKA ) MVB, these last longer and are stronger in the UVB output if you purchase the right one ..others claim to be equal ...but they fall short.

I recommend MEGA RAY ...and ...T-REX UV HEAT...and only these two if you decide to go that route.

Anyway hear is the link for LLL Reptiles:
LLL repti sun

Here is the Mega Ray site tons of info about UV there:
Mega ray

And finally the UV Guide...also you can reach it by scrolling down to the bottom of the Mega Ray home page and following the linksUV guide

I noticed you said 20 gallon tank ... that’s rather smallish ...everyone recommends a 40 gallon breeder...that equals 18 deep ...x 18 tall...x 36 across..or making a custom tank

Timeless...

Well that should keep you busy for now ....sorry to overwhelm... I am off to Home Depot before closing.

Chris
11/01/09  06:23pm

 #2090715


Snickersdad
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   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2090712


 New Person

I am getting a custom cage done by my uncle but I will have to wait a bit
11/01/09  06:26pm

 #2090720


Snickersdad
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090715


 New Person

I how do you clean brabches to put them in your Viv like what bleach them or bake them because I am planning on getting some drift wood for here cage
11/01/09  06:33pm

 #2091088


Cphill58
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   Message To: Snickersdad   In reference to Message Id: 2090720


 New Person

For branches / rocks/ whatever is larger than a 5 gallon bucket I use the tub or a large rubber maid type container filled with the appropriate amount of water and a small amount of bleach..I don’t measure ...I just use my sense of judgment to add approximately 10% bleach...as much as 20...but not more than that. Soak for some hours and rinse and soak in clean water for some hours...rinse again ...wood will absorb a lot of liquid and change colors...so be prepared to dry it out for a few days...and lose the dark color it may have started with.

Drying in the sun will be fine ...or if it fits, the oven too...choose a temp between 250 and 350 bake for a safe period of time. I prefer the sun for a couple of days myself...bleach odors will evaporate.

Bleach will kill germs and bacteria for the most part ...Hydrogen peroxide will neutralize the bleach if needed..and is also a good disinfectant.

I just learned some interesting things about bleach and some things it won’t kill unless the item is soaked for over 15 minutes. Big long discussion from someone who works at a water treatment plant.

If I stumble on it I will link it here.

Cp



11/02/09  02:45pm


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