Worried about my bearded dragon

[gemma]

Thank you for your help another quick question ive got is I read that you shouldn't use sand in the tank what's the best thing to use and is the set up of his tank ok or do I need to change some stuff

 

[timbalan]

As long as hes over 10inches he can be on sand but only washed and sifted childrens play sand should be used. Nothing from the pet store like calci sand or anything. and i think you said he was a coupke years old so he should be ok on sand

 

[timbalan]

or if you dont want sand you can use slate tile or some kind thats not slippery. Or you can use reptile carpet that you should be able to get at any petstore. Or newspaper. Or paper towel.

 

[gemma]

I'll have a look at the pet carpet as that should keep him warm thank you

 

[gemma]

 

[gemma]

His beard isn't as black today and hes climbing up the glass so I think he wants to come out

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Yea you have nothing to worrie about there.

Use tile, newspaper, paper towel. I'd stay well away from sand as any kind can cause impaction.

Do u have a UVB bulb in your enclosure???

 

[gemma]

Ive only got one bulb in my tank do I need more than one as I just got the one the pet shop told me to get

 

[gemma]

What's a uvb bulb I didn't realise there was different types

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Yes you HAVE to have a UVB bulb. It's like there inside sun.

You need to get one ASAP.

Repti-sun 10.0 in the tube style. You'll also need a fixture for it and it either should span the whole length or half. And must be behind basking spot.

 

[Luvthemanimal]

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Zoo-Med-Reptisun-Ten-10-0-Fluorescent-Bulbs

This bulb.

Where r u from? What pet stores Do u have around you?

 

[gemma]

Ahh right I never knew that do you have any idea of what the bulb is ive got now I know its for dragons ive just always gone off what the person who I got him off told me

 

[Luvthemanimal]

And this could also be part of the color issues you are having with him.

Please as soon as u can get a UVB bulb in there.

 

[gemma]

Have you got a picture of how they go on a tank so I know what I'm looking for

 

[gemma]

I'm from the uk and the only pet shop we really have is pets at home

 

[Luvthemanimal]

I'm assuming u have a basking bulb. U have to have temp probs.

The basking area needs to be 100 - 110 Cool side 80 - 85 humidity 15% or lower.

Do u have an of this?

 

[Luvthemanimal]

U may have to do some ordering online than.

I'm afraid your lighting situation needs to be addressed asap

 

[gemma]

The side his light is on is 85 so I'm guessing it's because I've not got the other light that the temps not that high and hes got a heat mat on the basking side as well but its still only 85

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Ok. Changes need to be made I'm afraid.

The basking spot has to be 100 - 110.

Pleae get rid of the heating pad as they have no sensors on there belly to tell them to get off it. Which can lead to burning your dragon.

The UVB is basically the beardies sun and doesn't produce heat just rays to give them d3. And the bulbs needs to be changed once a year if you get the one I told you.

 

[gemma]

I'm going to order the light and fixtures this week the only place ive seen I can order them from is ebay and amazon