Well, as most of you may know that this is an addictive hobby as well as expensive :)

This is a little guide full of tips on how to budget your money while still providing proper care for your herps.

Part 1 LIGHTING

Beardie Lighting. Beardies NEED UVA.UVB to process calcium. Many types of lighting are available for this need. Your average pet shop will sell the repti sun 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0. Well this are floresant lights. They average about 60-90 days of life if you are lucky, (trust me, I tested them last year and was dissapointed). So well the bulb averages 26$ but can be as expensive as 30-40 dollars. This is without the fixture. The fixture is usally anouther 20-30$

*TIP buy your fixtures at WALMART, your local hardware store (lowes, home depot etc...) they are WAY cheaper and do the same thing. Just remember the light needs to focuse on the dragon not the rest of the room...

Well this leaves you with still needing a heat light. Which the fixture can run 8.99-18.99. If you can stick with the ceremic screw in portion. This helps prevent over heating/melting. Buy your basking bulbs at walmart and home depot. Same thing!

*TO SAVE U MONEY & GET HEALTHIER RESULTS just buy a mercury vapor bulb off of the net. I HIGHLY reccoment www.reptileuv.com I have had wonderful results with thier light. Its an all in one solution and you spend 39.99 plus shipping on this product, with a warranty. 

 Part II Enclosures

Craigslist Craigslist Craigslist Craigslist Craigslist Craigslist I cannot stress this enough...
Never pay more than a dollar per gallon on a used tank, EVER unless its a bigger tank like a 210, then it depends.... Never more than .25 per gallon on a cracked tank... Unless your gettin a good deal, once again it depends on the size.

BUILD YOUR OWN! Look at our Colubrid rack

You can also find used materials cheap in the paper or off of craigslist. You wanna make sure to take the proper precuations as far as using safe sealent, waterproofing it, and heating to meet the needs of your animals...

PART III FEEDERS

 BUY DIRECT! BUY IN BULK! GROW/RAISE YOUR OWN. Every little penny counts. This will only really save you money if your collection is big.

If isnt so big, but u know people locally that has a hand full of snakes too, then pitch in and all buy frozen and spit the cost of shipping.

Remember to support your local mom and pop pet shop. Not everthing can have corners cut. Your animals health could be comprimised! These guys need to stay in biz too!

Thats all the major points. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know or post on here :)

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