Just set up a beardie tank (need feedback)

TheSnarkiest":39qaenhn said:

Howdy! I just set up a beardie tank for the beardie I (probably) will be getting tomorrow and am looking for feedback on my set-up, before I put a beardie in it.
(I wasn't sure where to put this post so that's why it is in general)

The warm side is about 90°F with the basking spot about 105° and the cool side is currently 79°, but it is currently under a fan that is on full blast so it most likely will be a little warmer once I move the tank to its final spot.

<<< 105F = 40.6degC
90F = 32.2degC
79F = 26.1degC

Spot on pretty much (wont matter if the cool zone is up to 28degC).

<<<< I'd remove the mesh top and replace it with a solid piece of MDF or 1/2 inch plywood and cut holes for the basking light to shine through and mount the luminaire the UVB tube is in under lid.
I'd also use some metal expanded gutter guard type of mesh cover some slots cut in the lid to allow air ventilation.
Trouble with mesh tops are :
--- NOT CAT PROOF-ABLE and puss WILL eventually try to get at your beardie and will likely kill it given enough time and an opportunity (when no one is home) , I know of several instances of this happening which all ended in tears.
--- mesh is a very poor insulator and hot air rises so it's harder to establish and maintain a thermal air circulation pattern inside the tank and hence harder to establish a stable temperature gradient, a solid top will force most the air to circulate, meaning you can probably get away with a lower wattage basking globe or MVB.
--- mesh will block about 25% of the UVA and UVB if the uv light is mounted on top of the mesh
(Warm side)

(Cool side)
Sock 'donated' by my goofball cat trying to hide it.
<<<< careful with the hammocks , beardies can easily get their claws and nail hung up in them and when they try to get unstuck can panic and do themselves serious leg , joint and toe injuries.


(Sorry 'bout the bad pics, photographer I am not)

Click to expand...

kingofnobbys":2wl7pg4x said:

TheSnarkiest":2wl7pg4x said:

Howdy! I just set up a beardie tank for the beardie I (probably) will be getting tomorrow and am looking for feedback on my set-up, before I put a beardie in it.
(I wasn't sure where to put this post so that's why it is in general)

The warm side is about 90°F with the basking spot about 105° and the cool side is currently 79°, but it is currently under a fan that is on full blast so it most likely will be a little warmer once I move the tank to its final spot.

<<<< I'd remove the mesh top and replace it with a solid piece of MDF or 1/2 inch plywood and cut holes for the basking light to shine through and mount the luminaire the UVB tube is in under lid.
I'd also use some metal expanded gutter guard type of mesh cover some slots cut in the lid to allow air ventilation.
Trouble with mesh tops are :
--- NOT CAT PROOF-ABLE and puss WILL eventually try to get at your beardie and will likely kill it given enough time and an opportunity (when no one is home) , I know of several instances of this happening which all ended in tears.
--- mesh is a very poor insulator and hot air rises so it's harder to establish and maintain a thermal air circulation pattern inside the tank and hence harder to establish a stable temperature gradient, a solid top will force most the air to circulate, meaning you can probably get away with a lower wattage basking globe or MVB.
--- mesh will block about 25% of the UVA and UVB if the uv light is mounted on top of the mesh
(Warm side)

(Cool side)
Sock 'donated' by my goofball cat trying to hide it.

(Sorry 'bout the bad pics, photographer I am not)

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

kingofnobbys":1vscg1sn said:

<<<< careful with the hammocks , beardies can easily get their claws and nail hung up in them and when they try to get unstuck can panic and do themselves serious leg , joint and toe injuries.

Click to expand...