Bearded Dragon Heat Source

[Brendan]

Well of course if you breed crickets then it would reduce down a truckload of the costs, right?

Anyways, I now know that compact/coil bulbs and the ReptiGlo 10.0 strip are bad, so I'll avoid them.

But could I use a ReptiGlo 8.0 strip instead of a ReptiSun 10.0 strip? Would it still get the job done?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

The more I read this thread, the more I think a large UVB-needing reptile with complex dietary needs is not the pet for you right now. I mean, if you're having to micromanage down to specific WATTS because you can hardly afford it, and the cost of food is that intimidating, how are you gonna handle vet emergencies and stuff?

I really, really think you need to get something smaller that won't require so much extra equipment and varied diet, if you must get something at all. This feels like a tragedy waiting to happen.

 

[Brendan]

Dang, you've got a point there. Honestly though, I can afford the amount of electricity being used now that I thought it through, and if I breed crickets, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm not poor lol...its just that I have other pets that are using a lot of watts as well.

 

[GailC]

crickets are a pain to breed, they stink and take quite awhile to reach a decent size. Any chance you could start a roach colony? You can feed/breed superworms once the dragon is a adult.
I also grow greens in the summer to keep the feeding costs down. All you have to be able to do it clear out a spot of grass/weeds, plant a few seeds and keep it watered, free food in the summer
the repti glo 8.0 is a good bulb and the one I use. Do you have access to a 75 gallon tank or a way to build a custom wooden enclouser? The bigger the tank you can get, the better.
Also keep in mind that baby dragons need to be fed 2-3 times a day, given calcium 5 times a week and vitamins 2 times a week. Baths every 2-3 days to prevent dehydration is also needed, most dragons won't drink from a water dish so don't think that having one will be enough.

 

[Brendan]

crickets are a pain to breed, they stink and take quite awhile to reach a decent size. Any chance you could start a roach colony? You can feed/breed superworms once the dragon is a adult.
I also grow greens in the summer to keep the feeding costs down. All you have to be able to do it clear out a spot of grass/weeds, plant a few seeds and keep it watered, free food in the summer
the repti glo 8.0 is a good bulb and the one I use. Do you have access to a 75 gallon tank or a way to build a custom wooden enclouser? The bigger the tank you can get, the better.
Also keep in mind that baby dragons need to be fed 2-3 times a day, given calcium 5 times a week and vitamins 2 times a week. Baths every 2-3 days to prevent dehydration is also needed, most dragons won't drink from a water dish so don't think that having one will be enough.

I'll be building a custom wooden enclosure soon (About 4ft x 2ft). What if I were to just buy the UVB strip bulb, and use tape to stick it on the inside top of the wooden enclosure?

 

[tyrant963]

isn't Pounds the currency? You dont seriously buy 15 pounds of food do you?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

isn't Pounds the currency? You dont seriously buy 15 pounds of food do you?

To feed my dragon it costs fifteen pounds a week,

I admit, though, I laughed.

 

[GailC]

I just used hooks and small chain to hang my strip light.

 

[Choobaine]

Well yeah it's like 14 pounds for a bag of locusts. Either you guys get it cheaper or shipping it to Northern Ireland puts the price up.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Well yeah it's like 14 pounds for a bag of locusts. Either you guys get it cheaper or shipping it to Northern Ireland puts the price up.

Tyrant's confusion was over whether you meant pounds as in cost...or weight! I love accidental puns. 15 pounds being almost 7 kg of bugs, and a pretty funny mental image.

 

[Choobaine]

Why was I too dense to pick that up?
I thought I had mastered the english language (even if it is my second, shhh).

I must hang up my hat and refrain from ever talking again. Sorry!