My new pet

Ok time for a re-think then, what type of wood chippings do you use, wouldnt want to get the wrong type and screw him over with chemicals and what not....Also Robfosters, when you mean reach the lamp (ceramic one) wouldnt it heat the basking area like a normal bulb, so the heater would be a fair distance from him but should get the heat right?

Oh should add the viv has 9 circle vents 2" diameter, 5 on the back wall, and 2 above and below the glass at the front, back when i built the viv i was suggested to put that many in by some guys on RFUK. Thinking about it thats why it aint getting hot, im a complete numpty its took me this long to figure that out lol, shoot me now.
 
I don't like wood chips with beardies. At the reptile shop I used to work in, we had a couple of ill beardies brought in who were suffering from faecal impaction through ingesting wood chips.
 
KnightStalker said:
Also Robfosters, when you mean reach the lamp (ceramic one) wouldnt it heat the basking area like a normal bulb, so the heater would be a fair distance from him but should get the heat right?
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Yes that's fine. However have seen some vivs where people put basking branches within reach of the lamps. Recipe for disaster
 
robfosters said:
Yes that's fine. However have seen some vivs where people put basking branches within reach of the lamps. Recipe for disaster
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I read the thing wrong hehe, thought it said can and not can't, ive seen loads of pictures of that too even with normal bulbs, i can understand doing that with the UV to get them within the optimal distance but heat light is a bit daft.
 
KnightStalker said:
Ok time for a re-think then, what type of wood chippings do you use, wouldnt want to get the wrong type and screw him over with chemicals and what not....Also Robfosters, when you mean reach the lamp (ceramic one) wouldnt it heat the basking area like a normal bulb, so the heater would be a fair distance from him but should get the heat right?

Oh should add the viv has 9 circle vents 2" diameter, 5 on the back wall, and 2 above and below the glass at the front, back when i built the viv i was suggested to put that many in by some guys on RFUK. Thinking about it thats why it aint getting hot, im a complete numpty its took me this long to figure that out lol, shoot me now.
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I'd probably rebuild one.. Mine has 4 across the back at the top.. I think I use beech wood chips don't use bark.. I have all 3 vivs set the same you need a light/heat source otherwise the dragon won't know where to bask your cool end needs to be around 80 and hot end 100-110+
 
robfosters said:
I don't like wood chips with beardies. At the reptile shop I used to work in, we had a couple of ill beardies brought in who were suffering from faecal impaction through ingesting wood chips.
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was it bark or wood chips, all my bear dies spit the chips straight out if they get them in there mouth
 
Aspen chips. They may look like they are spitting them out, but tiny fragments usually break off and travel down. If they take enough in, their bowels can become blocked and it is quite dangerous. We used to use reptile carpet from Zoo Med. A little pricey, but attractive, safe and washable.
 
Neoni said:
I'd probably rebuild one.. Mine has 4 across the back at the top.. I think I use beech wood chips don't use bark.. I have all 3 vivs set the same you need a light/heat source otherwise the dragon won't know where to bask your cool end needs to be around 80 and hot end 100-110+
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Sweet, right off the to local timber merchant tomorrow and get some replacement front panels and a new back panel cut, in the meantime ive just this minute blocked off all 4 on the front and 1 on the back wall with gaffer tape, not pretty but it should do.

Sometimes i hate RFUK so many people do it different ways, and for some reason we/i believe that info and then dont think it could be that, that is wrong.

Cheers guys, if i remove the excess vents and run either 4-5 on the back wall i should get the temp needed with the slate tiles, those things are heat magnets normally.
 
robfosters said:
Aspen chips. They may look like they are spitting them out, but tiny fragments usually break off and travel down. If they take enough in, their bowels can become blocked and it is quite dangerous. We used to use reptile carpet from Zoo Med. A little pricey, but attractive, safe and washable.
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You are joking right? Reptile carpet is worse!! It pulls out nails of bear dies if they get caught in it, I've used all substrates sand is awful as this is the worst for impaction! Tiles are too cold wood is perfect I've had no problems and all my bearded are very very healthy
 
KnightStalker said:
Sweet, right off the to local timber merchant tomorrow and get some replacement front panels and a new back panel cut, in the meantime ive just this minute blocked off all 4 on the front and 1 on the back wall with gaffer tape, not pretty but it should do.

Sometimes i hate RFUK so many people do it different ways, and for some reason we/i believe that info and then dont think it could be that, that is wrong.

Cheers guys, if i remove the excess vents and run either 4-5 on the back wall i should get the temp needed with the slate tiles, those things are heat magnets normally.
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Yeah you don't need loads of vents at ill take pictures of my vivs and show you tomorrow you'll see :)
 
Well we never had that problem. Our beardies nails were kept trimmed and it never happened. I just don't like loose substrate for beardies.
 
robfosters said:
Well we never had that problem. Our beardies nails were kept trimmed and it never happened. I just don't like loose substrate for beardies.
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It's personal preference thing is you hear horror stories about every staple food and every substrate you can use, it's the Internet aha
 
Question for you beardie guys while im here, i may have asked this before, but not sure if it was on here or RFUK, But do any of your dragons have black spots on them, now they are not individual scales and dont go after a shed.
Its almost like its a pigment change in the skin itself - I must say hes been to the vets countless times, had bloods and fecals done and hes been in top health in that respect, but i was wondering if its something to do with the viv conditions or just something a beardie does. I have had a few breeders say they had it but were not worried but you never know. (went to the doncaster IHS reptile show last year)
 
KnightStalker said:
Question for you beardie guys while im here, i may have asked this before, but not sure if it was on here or RFUK, But do any of your dragons have black spots on them, now they are not individual scales and dont go after a shed.
Its almost like its a pigment change in the skin itself - I must say hes been to the vets countless times, had bloods and fecals done and hes been in top health in that respect, but i was wondering if its something to do with the viv conditions or just something a beardie does. I have had a few breeders say they had it but were not worried but you never know. (went to the doncaster IHS reptile show last year)
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One of mine does very tiny but all over ill take pictures tomorrow again it could be cold BUT is the dragon warm/hot on her/his belly or body
 
A lot of beardies have aberrant markings, but black spots can signal a skin infection. When was he last at the vets and did he have the spots then.
 
Hes had them for as long as ive had him, cant even remember when i got him now lol a few years and he was a few years old when i got him too. They havent progressed or got bigger just get darker and then fade to a dull black when he sheds, but not completely go.
 
Kearney_1988 said:
Pretty much this, snakes tend to be a touch easier for the beginner I find as they have easier dietry requireents as you can just stick a bag of frozen mice in the freezer and feed when they need it.

Lizards tend to need more daily care with fresh insects vegitation etc

In other news picked up our baby albino boa a few weeks ago
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Ok thanks. I quite like the idea of keeping a Leopard Gecko or Bearded Dragon. Can anyone recommend a good article or book with the correct information?

I like to do things correctly when it comes to animal care. I don't think something should suffer while I 'get it right'. I've had a look at various forums and web pages and there's a fair amount of conflicting information.
 
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