Setting up enclosure for Bearded Dragon

[Forensick]

Today i went shopping....

i now have
4 foot tank
tank stand
heat globe
heating cord
thermostat
Reptile UVB light + refector
timer for lights.

tomorrow i am going to bunnings to buy stuff to build a lid,
then i am heading down to merri creek to look for some cool branches (to take home and clean properly)

anything i am missing?

also, any recomendations on how to build the lid

 

[GraftonChic]

I use a normal rock under a basking light with a cool end, no other heat.
Newspaper as a substrate , the rock and a branch helps keep their nails down.
I also dont use a thermostat, I have a thermometer and change the globes as I need too. I have a 100 watt now its getter cooler and used a 60 watt when it was hot - No problems at all

 

[JKretzs613]

Hello

Hello,

What brand of UVB do you have?
What type of lid are you wanting maybe a type of screen perhaps? The UVB goes through a wide cm screen better than mesh.
What did you decide on the substrate? I agree, loose substrate isn't usually recommended for dragons, especially babies. Slate tiles look nice & are easy to clean, too.

Tracie

 

[Forensick]

A Repti-Glo 10.0 UVB desert terrarium globe.


gonna go with astroturf and/or tiles to start with...

sand when they are older.

 

[JKretzs613]

Hello

Hello,

Great you have a reptiglo 10 for your UVB. That is their newest upgrade so the UVB output should be adequate.
I am happy to hear you went with a non loose type substrate for starters. It is much safer, in my opinion. If you do go with sand later on, go with a playsand or a clay substrate.

Tracie

 

[Forensick]

yeah, the non loose doesn't look as pretty.....
but..... its certainly cheaper

 

[morgs202]

Mesh top is definitly a good way to go. I cut two sections out of mine however, and replaced them with removable peices of peg board to make for easier access. I also agree about heat rocks being bad as both reptile vets I have spoken to have had some bad stories about them. As for heating spotlights I usually just use a purple or red one, and have U.V flouros running during the day as well. This way you only need one fitting as the red or purple ones can be left on at night.

 

[Just_Joshin]

I personally don't particularily like full mesh tops. As we all know, heat rises and so it is much harder to maintain temperature within the tank as you loose alot of the heat straight out the top of the vivarium. It's for this resaon that i much prefer timber enclosure with glass fronts as opposed to full glass enclosures, once again, because glass is not the best conductor or insulator of heat.

 

[morgs202]

I personally don't particularily like full mesh tops. As we all know, heat rises and so it is much harder to maintain temperature within the tank as you loose alot of the heat straight out the top of the vivarium. It's for this resaon that i much prefer timber enclosure with glass fronts as opposed to full glass enclosures, once again, because glass is not the best conductor or insulator of heat.

True, although on the other hand it can also prevent over heating if you dont have a thermostat.

 

[morgs202]

I have also found that if it is safely possible (for the lizard), that exposing them to some natural sunlight really helps

 

[Tsidasa]

how do you fix the heat cord underneath??

 

[Just_Joshin]

True, although on the other hand it can also prevent over heating if you dont have a thermostat.

That is true. The only reason i have this opinion is the fact i have run a dalbard glass vivarium with mesh top for 5 years now. They look good and can work fine, but really you don't need that much ventilation either, unless you are in the tropical north where temps can get bloody hot. Even in a timber enclosure of 1200 x 600 x 600 one decent sized vent is enough for most reptiles. I'm not trying to be negavtive and say they are bad, just that i personally would not buy another one again.

Also becareful not to crack the bottom piece of glass if using a heat mat under the glass. They first time they piss or spill the water, you'll hear the sweet, sweet sound of cracking. It happened to me with the dalbard after only 3 days, MAN was i pissed.

 

[Chris1]

beardies like 38-42C in their basking spot, on 14 hours, off 10 hours.

i love mesh tops, makes it harder to over heat them in summer.

beardies like a light environment, i have 2 60 watt globes ($2.30 from coles)

 

[morgs202]

That is true. The only reason i have this opinion is the fact i have run a dalbard glass vivarium with mesh top for 5 years now. They look good and can work fine, but really you don't need that much ventilation either, unless you are in the tropical north where temps can get bloody hot. Even in a timber enclosure of 1200 x 600 x 600 one decent sized vent is enough for most reptiles. I'm not trying to be negavtive and say they are bad, just that i personally would not buy another one again.

Can definitly see wat u are saying as I have that exact size wooden enclosure for my spotted python with the same ventilation and it holds temperature beautifully. Just another thought as well while we're on the subject of beardies, make sure you offer him/her plenty of fresh vegies as it gets older. Mine seems to love bok choy (leaves), grated carrot and finely sliced green beans, topped off with some calcium.