Advice on new Beardie tank..

[DragonLady504]

So, here is my tank and an upclose pic of my new baby. I am a new beardie parent and I want to make sure I am doing everything right.. Please leave suggestions and/or comments.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Josh]

Looks really good! What kind of substrate are you using? What are your temps like?
I like the desert setup. Very nice!

 

[DragonLady504]

The substrate is reptile carpet, nothing too fancy!
The temperture under the basking lighting seems to stay around 90-95 degrees right now according to the cheap thermostat that came with the kit. I've read digital is better, so I'll be getting a couple of those soon.
Also, where you see him in the picture is a "new" spot for him? Is he okay being this close?

 

[Josh]

I recommend using a temp gun. It's a little more expensive but it's precise and can be used to easily and quickly take the temp anywhere in the tank. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=temp+gun
If his basking spot is around 95 degrees and he's right on top of it, he should be fine - he just wants to get warm!

 

[DragonLady504]

Okay, great! Now question about lighting: a reddish type bulb came with our setup, should we use this at night? We have been but he's been sleeping on the ground in the corner of the tank, standing up?!

 

[Josh]

Sounds like maybe the red light is making it too warm in there for him? Try one night without it and see how he does.

 

[DragonLady504]

okay, gotcha! Thanks for all the help! I'm so nervous to not do something right!
I am new to this, just like he is new to us, but I think we're adjusting quite well.. He already let's me pick him without an issue, my son & husband on the other hand, have issues! He has an instinct on who will actually be taking care of him.. haha

 

[Josh]

hahaha! Glad we're able to help you! You'll start to recognize patterns in his behavior and daily routine and that will help you be more in tune when something actually is wrong (hopefully never)

 

[DragonLady504]

Josh, do you think he'll become better at feeding as well.. I know they say some juvie's will eat tons of crickets. Mine ate approx.8-10 last night and only 2-3 this morning. I do leave the greens out for him. I'm trying a morning/evening routine due to I work full time. Should I feed at a certain time after and before lights are on/off?

 

[Josh]

All good questions!
It's a good idea to give him some time to bask before and after eating. Try giving him 60 minutes with the lights on before AND after feeding.
If you're offering lots of food and he only eats 2-3, I'd say he's just not hungry at the moment.

 

[DragonLady504]

Okay, awesome! I'm almost certain I will have more questions later, but THANK YOU tons for now!

 

[Josh]

Happy to help!

 

[DragonLady504]

Morning Josh, so last night my nerves got the best of me and I was scared to leave the light off.. He ended up sleeping on the opposite end of the tank, in the corner on the floor. But according the the temperture it was between 65-75 degrees.. Is this okay?

 

[PatsyB]

Red lights aren't the best for night time heating. Bearded dragons can see spectrums of light that we can't see. Even with their eyes close they can sense the light with their "third eye" that is right on top of their head. It might stress them out. Generally they are okay if the temp gets to 65 degrees, anything lower than that you need to have a heat light. A CHE, while a bit expensive is good to heat the tank at night without giving off light.

 

[DragonLady504]

I will try it without the light tonight.. I was just nervous NOT using it, but I agree that this is bother hiim apparently because he wants as far from this thing as possible!

 

[Josh]

What do you think the overnight low is in your house?
I agree about him being as far away as possible. It's probably too warm and/or too bright. Try a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE)

 

[DragonLady504]

Now that I am thinking about it it's normally between 65-70, depending on the weather! It's been crazy here in Louisiana, but when it's chilly I have my heater on so that I'm sure might help a little.
I will check into the CHE, it couldn't hurt!

 

[Josh]

He'll be perfectly fine without the light at night for a bit - just to see how he responds.

 

[PatsyB]

I think he'll be fine. Just make sure you have something that is measuring your temps correctly. our house is usually around 72 but a few weeks ago we had a freezing spell and Luci's tank would get down to 67 and he was fine. Dexter's tank at night was right at 65 degrees. She's so calm that we actually just wrapped her in a blanket and let her sleep in the living room in a cat bed and woke up at 6am to put her back in so she can be under her lights.