bearded dragon habitat

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tracie,
I have had my bearded dragon for 5 and a half years now, and I am barely finding out that sand is not good to use for the flooring of their tanks.  I have read a little bit about tile and slate flooring.  Where I live it gets really cold at times especially in the winter.  I'm wondering what I should use in his tank?  Would the cold climate not work well with the slate or tile?

ANSWER: Hello Amanda,

Well, have you had any trouble with sand in his tank, I mean has he ingested it?  A lot of people do use sand, though I normally don't recommend it most of the times.  
If you want to use tile but live in a colder climate, you can use a ceramic heat emitter since it emits no light but just heat which will help keep the temps around 70-75 or so.  They can safely go into the 50's & 60's though.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well the thing is that he just got over being very sick, and I believe it might have had something to do with the sand, that's why I want to change the flooring of his tank.  What is a ceramic heat emitter and where can I find one?

ANSWER: Hello Amanda,

Oh I see, the sand may have made him sick that is possible.  
A ceramic heat emitter just emits heat with no light.  Here is a link for you to get one for a good price:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-heaters/500160/60-watt-ceramic-heater

Or you can probably find one at the local pet store too.  Just compare prices so you don't get ripped off.  

How is he doing now, currently?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tracie,
He is doing really good actually.  He's eating on his own...he hadn't eaten in 2 weeks and couldn't open his eyes.  I took him to the hospital for 5 days and they brought him back to almost normal.  I finished him up with some extra love and care=].  But I am so happy that he made it.....it was a really close call.  Thank you for giving me the advice and for asking how he is doing=] If I get the slate flooring and the ceramic heat emitter do you think that I would still use a normal heat lamp?

Answer
Hello Amanda,

Great he is doing pretty well now.  Wow he did have a close call.  What exactly was wrong, an impaction?  Or an infection?
Very good job getting him back to health though, what a rough job.  
You will need to use a normal heat lamp or a bright white basking lamp during the day along with the UVB tube bulb.  Overnight, if the heating is needed, just use the ceramic heat emitter.  That way there wont be any light to disturb his sleeping.

Tracie