Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[ross0201]

I have done some research and it sounds like a bearded or rankin is a good choice for someone new to reptiles like myself. I have a 29 gallon aquarium I was hoping would work, however it is taller instead of longer: 24w x 12d x 19t. I thought I could make sort of a second story to add space and at least keep one comfortably in it (possibly 2?). Would this work?

I have done a fair amount of research and I am completly confused about mercury vapor lights, some parts sound great, heat and UV light, but other people hate them, has anyone tried these?

I was also curious how much day to day time (and money) it takes to maintain these, preparing salads, dusting crickets, scooping poop, ect.

How many crickets are we thinking about here for an adult in a day, I see online you can easily and cheaply order thousands, but I would think most would die before they were used (the smallest online order I have found is 250 and pet stores seem like they would be expensive).

I have read few care sheets on rankins, and a lot on bearded, and was planning on borrowing the book "General Care and Maintenance of Brearded Dragons" from the library before I made the commitment, but any other advise that people think I havn't read already would really be appreciated.
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ross

[Scott W]

Hi Ross,
Sounds like you have done your research, well done.

Rankins are a great first time lizard, easier and more managable than beardeds due to their smaller size. Time wise you would need to feed them everyday, so perhaps 10 minutes max, then changing the water, I change all mine twice a week unless they are contaiminated. I also sieve the sand substrate twice a week. That takes about 5 minutes per viv for my set ups.

With regards to you tank, I'm guessing that is in inches? 24" x12" floor area is far too small for a bearded dragon and also a bit too small for a single rankins dragon. You would find it very hard to provide a hot basking spot without over heating the whole viv.

For a pair or trio of rankins I would suggest a min of 36" x 18" x18" and for beardeds 48" x 24" x18" for a pair or trio.

The mercury vapour lamps are a good lamp but are far too hot for most set ups, certainly no good for your 29 gallon tank and probably still too hot for a 4ft viv. Use a spot lights on dimming thermostats and for UV use a tube of the right length. Repti-Sun or similar.

I'm sure others will tell you how they set there Beardeds & Rankins up, and may give you a better idea on how much they eat, I have no idea as I use 2000 plus crickets and 500 - 1000 locust per day for my collection, never really worked out what each cage uses.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[dhill]

Ive been looking at getting either a Beardie or Rankins for a little while now, and after reading a couple of books on Beardies, have decided to get two Rankins. Shall let you know what books when I get home. Did think it was a shame that there isnt a specific book on Rankins

Im getting two Rankins on the 27th December.

The viv im getting has the following in it:

1. UV Lamp = Reptisun 10.0
2. Heat = Ceramic Heatlamp on Habistat Matstat controller
3. Spot lamp for basking area
4. Substrate - Hot end = Calcisand, Cooler end = Viv plastic grass
5. Purpose built hide, java wood and plenty of plastic plants
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2x Rankins Dragons & 1x Yemen Chameleon

"The most common mistake made by people designing something completly foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools". -- Douglas Adams.

[ross0201]

Thanks for all the help. I'll probly be getting a rankins or 2 as soon as I collect some money (takes a bit for us poor college students)
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ross