How much am I going to spend to set up his tank for a bearded dragon ???
My sonr brought home a bearded dragon tonight from a friends house, My son is 7… He brought him home in a 10 gallon tank & I know he needs a bigger one, he also brought home a purple light which is on right now for heat… I am wondering how much I am actually going to spend on setting up the right tank for him..
How many rocks do I need to have in the tank & how many trees do I need to have in there, I have seen a couple of pictures witha little reptile hammock & I would love to get one from somewhere but have no clue where to go.. How much is the calcium dusting & all the stuff I will need I am in Missouri
I answered your other question about bearded dragons you asked recently. I wrote all the correct information about general husbandry. The purple light is probably not a good idea. Dragons like it bright….and I don’t think the black light would even get the right temps. I would get a 75 watt bulb household bulb to put in there until you find out what wattage you need and if the temperatures are right. I’m guessing a 75 watt with a 10 gallon should be alright. You need a digital thermometer with probe to check temps.
He needs a UVB light. UVB is for calcium absorption. I explained it in my other answer. The light needs to be atleast an 8.0 or 8% of UVB. There should be no covering over the bulb and it should be placed on top of the screen of the cage. For hammocks, look for one at your local pet store. Petco or Petsmart should carry them also. If I were you…I would go ahead and buy a 40 gallon breeder tank. It can last him his whole life. I bought one for $80 at a mom and pop store, but I think they run about $100 at Petco and Petsmart. Trees, plants, vines, etc are just for decorations. You really need something for him to bask on. If you have any ponds, rives, etc with some nice rocks….I would get one of those and use. I’ve even used some of the ones that are usually in ditches driveways, etc. They all look the same. But whatever rock you choose, srub it in bleach and soap, rise, then put it in the oven at 200F for 30 minutes. It’s a great way to save on money. If you choose to buy them, I would just get one or two big enough to last him his life, and maybe a log too. One of my dragons will choose her log anyday over a rock. For calcium dusting, it needs to be done atleast 3 or 4 times a week and multivitamins 2-3 times. You put the crickets in a zip lock bag, sprinkle some calcium in the bag, close it up, and shake. I call it “shake and bake” lol. Then you open it up, and let the crickets crawl out inside the tank if you don’t wanna touch them or get calcium all over your hands.
Babies and juveniles need to be fed as many crickets as they’ll eat in 10 minutes atleast 2-3 times a day. Make sure the crickets are no larger than the space between the dragons eyes. I order my crickets online. There are lots of places to buy from. You usually can get 1,000 for $16-$20, depending on where you buy. If you have a local mom and pop store around, ask them if they can order a box for you when they order theirs and how much it’ll cost.
For greens, check beautifulragons.com and click on the Nutrition Content for a color-coded food chart. I usually get collard greens, mustard greens or turnip greens, and yellow squash or butternut squash. For treats, I usually get an apple, plum, peach or some type of berries. Do not feed mealworms. They have a hard exo-skeleton and high chitin in their shells making it hard for dragons to digest. Crickets, silkworms, and lobster roaches can be used as staples. Super worms, wax worms, pheonix worms and butter worms can be used as treats.
Please do not use any type of loose substrate. It can cause impaction…no matter what store employees and bags tell you. Impaction can cause $1,000’s of dollars to take care of, and in my opinion isn’t worth it in the end all because of a $10 bag of shell, sand, or bark. Loose substrates also harbor bacteria.
Check Lowes or Home Depot’s ceramic tiles out. They have some nice designs. I think it takes about 6 pieces to cover a 40 gallon breeder tank, and they can cut the tile for you to make it fit in the tank. Don’t use vinyl flooring. It has some kind of chemical that when heated up gives off toxic fumes can hurt the beardie. Repti carpet is another good one, but in my opinion it’s a hastle to try and get poo off it. I would just use paper towels for your 10 gallon until you get everything set with the next one you buy.
So…
UVB light- $20
UVB light fixture (you can get at lowes or wal-mart, i use black light fixtures)-$10
Calcium (with D3-no phosphorus)-$4-$5
Multivtiamins- $5
40 Gallon breeder tank-$80-$100
Ceramic tiles-$1-$3
Digital thermometer w/ probe-$8
Pack of household bulbs-$1-$2
Rocks-free
Branches-$8-15 depending on where you buy from.
Greens-$2-$3
Crickets in bulk-$16-$20, might be more with shipping.
Hope this helps!!
EDIT: Don’t use hot rocks or heat pads either. Beardies can easily be burned by them, causing thermal burns and blisters. Heat sources above (heat light) are 100% safe and are more natural to the beardie. A 40 gallon breeder tank is fine for an adult dragon. It’ll last him his life.
|
|
3pc Red Dragon Samurai Sword Set $39.99 |
|
|
silver dragon green jade earrings pendant necklace sets $0.65 |
|
|
Charming Black Jade Dragon Pendant Necklace Earring set $0.65 |
|
|
3pc Red Dragon Faux Ray Skin Samurai Sword Set $39.99 |
|
|
New Dragon Ball Z lot 6 pcs figure set Goku Frieza $19.99 |
|
|
Dragon Ball Z lot 8 pac world collectable figures set $19.99 |
|
|
8 pac PVC Dragon Ball Z world collectable figures set $19.99 |
|
|
8 pac PVC Dragon Ball Z world collectable figures set $19.99 |
|
|
8 pac PVC Dragon Ball Z world collectable figures set $19.99 |
|
|
New Dragon Ball Z lot 24 pac first season figure set 2″ $29.99 |
|
|
d20 Ruins of the Dragon Lord Boxed Set NEW FREE US SHIP $14.99 |
|
|
3pc Blue Dragon Samura Sword Set $39.99 |
|
|
China Pure Red Bronze Dragon Guan Gong three Statue Set $895.50 |
|
|
Disneyland Hidden Mickey Set of 4 Dragons Lanyard Pins $19.99 |
|
|
Stampin Up~ DREAMS & DRAGONS,Set of 17, Retired, Bonus $30.00 |
|
|
DRAGON TALES ~CHUNKY BOARD BOOK SET~ For TODDLERS $9.99 |
|
|
36″HUGE CHINA Cloisonne Enamel dragons Table/Chairs Set $6,255.00 |
|
|
Fiery DRAGON Single Quilt Doona Duvet Cover Set NEW $22.59 |
|
|
6 Dinner Set Silk Dragon Phoenix Placemats Chopsticks $4.99 |
|
|
Dragons Blood Jasper Pendant Bead Set Free Ship P43248 $4.99 |
|
|
Dragons Blood Jasper Pendant Bead Set Free Ship P43249 $4.99 |
|
|
Dragons Blood Jasper Pendant Bead Set Free Ship P43251 $4.99 |
|
|
SS DRAGONS Ceiling Fan Pulls Set of 2 $2.99 |
|
|
CHESS SET: MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS AND DRAGONS Board Game NEW $70.71 |
|
|
18KGP Purple Jade Dragon Pendant Bracelet Earring Set $0.10 |
|
|
S10083 dragon blood jasper heart pendant beads set $5.00 |
|
|
green Jade dragon Pendant/Necklace earring Sets $0.01 |
|
|
DRAGONBALL Dragon Ball Z Gashapon Figures HG 13 Set 7 $10.99 |
|
|
FB0200030 Africa Dragon Blood Jasper Pendant Set BEADS $6.99 |
|
|
Rockland 4 Piece Luggage Set in Dragon Tattoo $120.99 |
|
|
J69858 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $4.50 |
|
|
POWER RANGERS MYSTIC FORCE RED RANGER & DRAGON DLX SET $19.99 |
|
|
6 Dinner Set Silk Dragon Phoenix Placemats Chopsticks $4.99 |
|
|
6 Dinner Set Silk Dragon Phoenix Placemats Chopsticks $4.99 |
|
|
J71746 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $4.50 |
|
|
J71778 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $4.50 |
|
|
McFarlanes Fire Dragon son of Set conan Figure Series 1 $22.50 |
|
|
1871 First Issue of Japan Impref Dragon Replica Set $1.75 |
|
|
FB0200036 Africa Dragon Blood Jasper Pendant Set BEADS $6.99 |
|
|
FC273 Dragon 1/6 Action Figure – Uniform Set Clothing $4.24 |
|
|
FB0200037 Africa Dragon Blood Jasper Pendant Set BEADS $6.99 |
|
|
J72203 Dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $5.50 |
|
|
DRAGON 1/6 2C GUN +Ammo Machine Gun Weapon Set $9.98 |
|
|
Dragon Wings 1:400 Federal Express B747F & MD-11F Set $99.99 |
|
|
J73437 dragon blood jasper heart pendant beads set $5.50 |
|
|
J73487 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $4.50 |
|
|
J73500 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $4.50 |
|
|
J73525 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $4.50 |
|
|
DRAGON 1/6 M4 carbine rifle Gun Weapon Set M4 $0.99 |
|
|
J73609 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $5.50 |
|
|
J73610 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $5.50 |
|
|
2000 (KROGER) DAYTON DRAGONS TEAM SET (DUNN,KEARNS) $3.99 |
|
|
J74057 dragon blood jasper heart pendant beads set $5.50 |
|
|
J74075 dragon blood jasper pendant beads set $5.50 |
|
|
FANCY GREEN JADE DRAGON PENDANTS EARRING NECKLACES SET $0.68 |
|
|
Dragon Ball Z – Season 9 (DVD, 2009, 6-Disc Set; Unc… $19.99 |
|
|
DRAGON 1/6 2C GUN +Ammo Machine Gun Weapon Set Hazel $9.98 |
|
|
MYSTIC FORCE RARE FURY DRAGON DLX 2 RANGERS FIGURE SET $49.99 |
|
|
Dragons Of The Crystal Cave Ornament: Set of Three $29.97 |
|
|
DRAGON 1/6 G36 12″ Action G36 Rifle Weapon Gear Set $0.99 |
|
|
DRAGON 1/6 G36 Rifle Weapon + Ammo Set for 12″ Figure $0.99 |