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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
 Posted - 12/03/2011 : 10:13:58
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So, I'm going to hopfully be getting a pair of Beardies either next month or the one after. I've always wanted lizards but never had the space/knowledge to keep any. I've been reading about them since before Christmas, reading the same things over and over. But if Tig has taught me anything it's that genreal information isn't always all you need. So I figured it might be a good idea to join another forum, one more for lizards, so I can learn from people who actually keep them, and so hopfully getting the best idea on how to look after them. So I've been hovering around on Reptilian for a little while now, spying 'n' stuff, you know? ; ) It seems a nice place, very like here, people seem friendly... and pateint, patient is always good with me! I've also noticed a lot of people on here are also on there. Hai!
It would also be a good place for me to talk about my Giant Snails and Indian Stick Insects I think.
I suppose what I'd like to know is what are your experiences? Is it as nice as it seems? Are peoples friendly like here? It seems a bit less full than here, do people reply quick or does it take time?
With me being Anthropophobic it's very hard for me to take the leap without someone pushing-I mean encouraging me... ; ) |
Just me and my zoo. |
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scubadude
Yearling
United Kingdom
326 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2011 : 10:41:21
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Hi BD, the reptilian isn't as active as here, but still loads of knowledgeable people, and questions are answered pretty quickly.
see you there.  |
1.0 Classic corn snake
2.3 Normal Royal
1.1 spider royal
1.0 Mojave Royal
1.0 Butter Royal
0.1 Pastel ph ghost Royal
1.0 Enchi Royal python
1.0 Pastel royal poss ???
1.1 Yellowbelly Royal
1.1 Cinnamon Royal
1.1 Fire Royal
1.1 100% het Clowns
1.1 Crawl cay boas
1.0 Hypo hog island boa
0.1 Hog island Boa
coming soon
0.1 Bumblebee
opinions are like ars*holes, everyone's got one, but you don't need to share them with the world. |
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GMac
Grumpy scots admin
United Kingdom
1152 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2011 : 16:14:35
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there are a few of us on the rept with beardies so we can help you out with anything you need to know.
Is is a friendly site with the same people running it, sometimes does take time for responses as unfortuntely the number of members isnt as many as we have on here but very knowledgeable none the less |
 
Royals, Corns, Boa, Kings, Hoggy, Ratsnakes
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Edited by - GMac on 12/03/2011 16:17:09 |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2011 : 22:37:03
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| Hi blue try mybeardeddragon.co.uk it is a good site dedicated to just beardie owners, and they are quite friendly, just don't tell them your getting a pair unless you've got two set ups, but if you are getting a pair with only one setup don't get 2 males, or a male and female, two adult males will most prob fight to the death, and if you have a male and female he will constantly mate with her even if she doesn't want to he won't know the meaning of no! and she could lay upto 45 eggs upto three times just from one mating. And lastly from my own experience even two females might not get along and possibly fight even to the death, sorry to go on but hope that little bit of info helps |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 14/03/2011 : 09:14:59
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Thanks everyone : )
So your saying I should only have one, and not a pair? I was definatly not going to put two males together, don't worry! I've read all about that, the gory details 'n' all. Wasn't sure about a male and female together 'cause I couldn't find out a definate answer as to weather or not it was a good idea (one question I was going to try to find an answer for). I've got giant snails so I'm used to having to freeze tons of eggs! But the idea that the female wouldn't be left alone seems unfair. Two females together seemed a good idea from what I have read.
The reason I was going to get a pair is just so they would have same species company. I realize how attention-seeking they are and thought maybe it would be kinder to have two together. But if this is a bad idea I'll just have the one. Would one get the right kind of attention from a human only?
Questions I should be asking elsewhere... but haven't quite plucked up the courage yet! : ) |
Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 14/03/2011 : 11:32:58
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Ok blue since this is not really the place lol I'll try and be quick. I had three females the Idea being to house them all together in a 6x3x3 two were purchased together and ended up living together, and although I didn't see any direct bullying one did grow a lot bigger and quicker than the other (no matter what sex they are there will always be a dominant one), when I tried to add the third all hell broke lose and it wouldn't have been pretty had I not been there to seperate them, so that ment another 4x2x2 setup for the single female (stat, uv tube, basking light etc). From all the research I did they a solitary lizards untill it comes to mating and thats probably true but if your lucky you will get two females that will live together althougth there will always be a fight for best basking spot, food etc so I would suggest only getting the one, for the best developement of the lizard, do some research on mybeardeddragon.co.uk it's a very informative forum, but if you are a bit unsure feel free to ask and I'll do my very best to help. As to the mating thing a male won't care how old or big a female is or even if she is interested if you know what I mean and he'll keep doing the dirty deed as and when he wants and as I said last time she could lay upto 45 eggs at a time upto three times a year as she can store sperm and it could drastically shorten her life span. And lastly the attention thing usually they are happy in there own company as long as they can see whats going on although at the moment my male is being a pain and only happy when he's out of his viv lol hope some of this helps :)
Amendment: There life style is totally different to a royals as is there needs like any reptile lots and lots or research plenty of questions and a certain amount of lady luck lol |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2011 : 10:48:06
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Thanks for all that, it is helpfull : )
If I were to get two, then they would be either related (only same sex obviously) or maybe very young so possably an easy intro. But I think by what you say I might well just get a single. Seems best for them. Was going to get a four foot viv for a pair, so now mr/ms single is going to have one all to themselves. And she/he will be in the living room, on the back wall, so they'll always know what's going on!
I'll have a sneak round on the site you gave me too : ) |
Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2011 : 13:21:13
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Glad I could help blue like I said any questions just ask and I'll be glad to help if I can  have a look on youtube for videos about LG the bearded dragon posted by xXxJSCOTTxXx (sorry don't know how to link) and it shows first hand what could happen if you house more than one together all the thins done to him were his house mates ganging up on him but I must warn you get the kleenex ready cause Its SAD............... |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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Edited by - reptilemadd on 15/03/2011 13:38:39 |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2011 : 14:17:24
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omg I watched the lg video ... urrgh, a bit slushy, but poor little guy - still enjoying life, though, and he can catch crickets like a good 'un!
And what did I see yesterday in my local pet supermarket? Two big beardies in one enclosure ... Massive enclosure, big dish of fresh veggies, but not the point, because anyone not knowing what beardies can do to each other is going to see those two and think it's okay to keep two together ... I'd have thought it was okay myself, without reading this thread and seeing that video ... |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2011 : 18:54:26
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| Thats the problem BATS the same with all shops they display them in an attractive setting and in groups, so people come along without doing research and think oh my they look cute, I'll have two cause if the shop are housing them together it must be ok, add that to staff who haven't got a clue and hey presto one gets attacked and seriousley hurt, sorry for the rant but it was actually lg's siblings that did that to him, survival of the fittest and all, about three months after I got mine I saw his teeth for the first time and I understood how they could bite through bone if they had too it was like looking in a sharks mouth (mouth full of triangular teeth) |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2011 : 11:24:42
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Aww, I don't think that's a sad video, I think it shows a very happy little lizard. It's amazing how he's adapted the way he has. Bless 'im : ) But I do get the point of the video too.
I'll only get one then, don't worry.
I have seen their teeth before. I had one display at me once, his beard got dark and he hissed at me. But I was a stranger staring at him in his home though! I suppose they need those teeth for chewing up exo-skelentons, and the do a very good job too! X )
I had a look around the site you gave me reptilemadd, I don't know which one is best. They both seem friendly places. But the one you gave me does seem to have more people there who could maybe answer questions/problems quicker.
Again, thanks for all the info : ) A quick question: I can't seem to find a definate answer to which stat to use for the lights. Do I use a dimmer or an on/off stat? I can imagine a dimmer would be better as the sun doesn't just turn off like that! But I can't find out for sure, people say diferent things. Also, can you get a stat that you can plug both lights in, or would I need two, one for the basking lamp and one for the UV strip? Can't find one for both, but maybe I'm just not looking for the right thing...
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Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2011 : 17:05:35
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You need a dimming stat I found habistat to be the best for the basking bulb and don't be fooled into buying a reptile one a household R80 spot light btween 60 and 100 watt will do the trick and they are only about £2 for four at B&Q as for the UV no stat is needed just a starter unit, you could buy one from a rep shop costing about £20 or you could just buy a household one again from B&Q for half the price. And don't buy the compact UV's get the florecent tube minimum 10% the best one I would get is the arcadia 12%D3+, they are a bit more expensive but best on the market, hope that helps like I said don't be fooled into buy all things reptile there is always a cheaper option.
One last thing you will need a night light for him/her incase the temp drops below 64f just use the same sort of bulb you use for your royal DON'T GET A HEAT MATT they dont feel the heat from underneath and just like you and me they need at least 8 hours sleep or health issues may develope, post some pic's when you get your new addition good luck
Edit:- if you are based in the northwest are blue try swellreptiles.co.uk they are the cheapest I've found for UV's etc etc I think they deliver free if the order is over £50.00 |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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Edited by - reptilemadd on 16/03/2011 17:12:29 |
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 11:09:57
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OK, I think I know what your saying. I need a dimming stat for the basking light. I don't need a reptile one 'cause a normal house one will do. You can only get energy saving ones these days, that won't make a difference?
I don't understand why B&Q would sell UV strips ( I thought they were reptile things only?), but we don't have one round here, I think the nearest one is an hour away. We have a Focus just up the road though, would they sell them too? I can't go in myself but my mam wouldn't mind coming with me 'cause she's decorating her house soon and she likes to look at the wallpaper and paint : )
Tig doesn't have any sort of light, so I don't know what kind of night light you mean. The living room is always warm, to keep me warm enough, 'cause I'm as much like a lizard too! I can't imagine it would get too cold for him/her, but I'll get one anyways if you let me know what it is I'm getting. How would that work, a sensor? Another stat?
I figure I'm still pretty clueless depite reading tons about them : / So I'm not getting him/her yet, not till I'm sure I know what I'm doing. But yeah, I'll definatly take photos when I do : )
I'm a North East lass, other end : ) But my mam has used Swellreptiles before and they were really good, so I might well use them too.
Ta! |
Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 11:40:03
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Sorry Blue I don't think I was clear enough so I'll try again lol
1,UV tubes need a starter unit for them to light up it gives the tube an extra boost when you turn it on, and I ment you could get just the starter unit from B&Q or in your case focus not the actual UV Light you need to get that from the pet shop or swell.
2, You can't use an energy saving bulb with a dimming stat it makes it flash constantly, you can buy r80's from the supermarkets as well
3, As long as the enclosure doesn't drop below 60 to 64 degrees f you don't need any additional night time heat but if it does then you'll need to use something like a repti glow infa red bulb, which you would plug into the same dimming stat you use for the day time basking bulb once you unplug the day time one that is.I'll try and post pic's of the way magics is setup |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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Edited by - reptilemadd on 17/03/2011 11:59:06 |
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 12:19:36
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Nah, I'm just thick.
Just had a quick look and most of those R80 bulbs seem to have bayonet fittings, not screw ones. I don't know if you can get bayonet holders or not, so might have to look around somemore. Figured normal energy saving ones wouldn't work.
Any particular starter unit, or are they all the same?
Not a fan of Infra Red bulbs, they make everything look so un-natural and... red, but suppose I'd be in bed then anyway so wouldn't see it! And that would be on the same stat. Would you turn the stat down for night-time, or leave it where it was as a day time stat? I'm guessing you turn it down?
I will join a dragon forum at some point... ; ) |
Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 13:54:04
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LOL you can use the bayonet ones just get a bayonet light fitting again from any DIY place yes you would turn the stat down so that it only came on if the temp drops below 60-64f you could also get a night glow bulb made by EXO TERRA it gives off a blueish light but since beardies need there sleep as us humans do I'm affraid the night time heat source needs to be either red or blue since they can't see red or blue light it won't disturb them, the only problem is that all things (bulb wise) reptile uses a screw fitting and the only place I've found that sells them besides pet shops is Maplins, although you can buy a bayonet to screw converter but they are about a fiver so you may as well just buy the screw fittings.
The two pic's below are the basking light and night light I use for Magic the first being his basking light which is in his hot end and the second being his night time heat source which is in his cool end, and you guessed it the tube in the middle is his UV :) Oh and both bulbs are screw fittings.
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1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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Edited by - reptilemadd on 17/03/2011 14:18:46 |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 14:29:46
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quote:
Originally posted by reptilemadd
You need a dimming stat I found habistat to be the best for the basking bulb and don't be fooled into buying a reptile one a household R80 spot light btween 60 and 100 watt will do the trick and they are only about £2 for four at B&Q as for the UV no stat is needed just a starter unit, you could buy one from a rep shop costing about £20 or you could just buy a household one again from B&Q for half the price. And don't buy the compact UV's get the florecent tube minimum 10% the best one I would get is the arcadia 12%D3+, they are a bit more expensive but best on the market, hope that helps like I said don't be fooled into buy all things reptile there is always a cheaper option.
One last thing you will need a night light for him/her incase the temp drops below 64f just use the same sort of bulb you use for your royal DON'T GET A HEAT MATT they dont feel the heat from underneath and just like you and me they need at least 8 hours sleep or health issues may develope, post some pic's when you get your new addition good luck
Edit:- if you are based in the northwest are blue try swellreptiles.co.uk they are the cheapest I've found for UV's etc etc I think they deliver free if the order is over £50.00
Wow you weren't kidding about Swellreptiles - the 6 vivs I'd been planning to get from my usual supplier (who sells them at way below RRP) were £16 each cheaper from Swell!!
Next day delivery £4 for the lot!
I'm getting my viv stack tomorrow ... |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 16:31:17
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| ps thanks Reptilemadd for posting that - you've saved me a lot of dough! |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2011 : 17:35:52
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| Lol your very welcome BATS It's about time I helped someone it's usually me asking for the help :) |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 10:16:16
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Thanks for the photos reptilemadd, photos always help : )
It was just a very quick look to find the basking lights, so I'll have a proper look and will probably find a one with a screw fitting.
Blue light isn't as bad, it looks more natural than red does.
Is that just the background that looks shinny and plastic-like, or do you have something over it?
Might have a go at joining up somewhere over the weekend, I've got more time then : ) |
Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2011 : 13:42:48
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To blue It's just the background It's the sort you use for fish tanks lol
To BATS forgot to say don't forget to post some pic's of the new stack that you saved on (because I'm good lol) |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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Edited by - reptilemadd on 18/03/2011 13:43:15 |
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A good place for someone like me?
