Baby beardie into a 40gB?

[Kiara1125]

Hello, I am getting another beardie soon - a baby - and I'm wondering if I can immediately put it into a 40gB. I was going to section off the tank with some cardboard, but my boyfriend is getting really controlling about it. He says that he doesn't like the look of something so small into such a big tank. Well, I'd rather buy the 40gB kit that comes with everything rather than buying a smaller tank and then all the lights and everything I need and then trying to find a 40gB later. So, I'm wondering what the best approach to this situation would be. Thanks in advance.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd pick up a 40g tank while Peto is having their dollar per gallon sale. You can then get good lights and other components individually to complete everything. 40g isn't that big of a tank. A baby will look small in it for a month or two but not much longer because they grow so darn quickly. You probably won't even need to partition it off. They like running around and having lots of space. We can help you get the best lighting setup for it as well once you decide what you are going to do.

 

[Kiara1125]

Ok, thank you! Does this kit look good enough or do you recommend something else? I would love the links so I can check it out. Petco and Petsmart are the two main places I'm going, but I have a Sears and Walmart nearby for DIY projects.

ZOO MED™ Reptihabitat Bearded Dragon 40 Gallon Terrarium Kit

Also, what lights would you suggest if I were to try and go cheaper than the kit? Also, I live in Florida so there's no need for a regular or infrared light. I just need the basking light and UVB bulb. I'm using mangrove driftwood (found in the parks around here and cleaned) as decor and I'm probably going to use reptile carpet as a substrate, since that's what I'm using for my crested gecko. I used playsand before, but I hate how dusty it got my beardie. Anything else that you can advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[CooperDragon]

Don't waste your money on the kit. A lot of the items included range from useless to harmful. I would pick up the tank and the mesh top alone. Then I would get a basking lamp stand and a dome fixture for the basking light. For the basking light, go to a hardware store and pick up a PAR 38 halogen flood light bulb (start with approx 90w and adjust as needed). They are much cheaper than the reptile basking lights and work well. ReptiCarpet is OK for substrate. Just wash it frequently. You can also use non-adhesive shelf liner as a cheap alternative. UVB is where you don't want to cut corners. Get a high output fixture and a high output ReptiSun 10.0 or Arcadia bulb. Lightyourreptiles.com has these. The fixture should span at least half the length of the tank. Full length of the tank is even better. With the HO fixture and bulb, you can put the fixture right on top of the mesh top. Otherwise the mesh will block too much light. You will also want to get a good thermometer. Either a digital thermometer with a probe, or a temp gun will work well. You'll need these to ensure the basking site is 100-110 and the cool side of the tank is 75-85. The mangrove driftwood will work really well for "furniture". You'll want to be sure to include pieces that create a nice comfortable hiding spot as well as a good basking spot.

 

[Kiara1125]

Thank you, I think I'll do that. I'm thinking about getting a compact UVB bulb. Still a 10.0 desert, but what wattage would be good for a 40gB - 13w or 24w?

 

[Wolfeden]

+1 on CooperDragon.

But I would advise the ReptiSun T5 or T8 tubes, depending on distance.
The compacts, if/when they work well, still only cover a small area with the needed amounts of UVB. The longer tubes do a better job of covering a larger area with stronger amounts of UVB.

 

[CooperDragon]

UVB is too important to mess with. I'd go with the best tube style bulb you can find along with appropriate fixture. I just picked up a new T5 HO fixture and an Arcadia HO bulb to span the entire 36'' of my tank and couldn't be happier.

 

[Wolfeden]

UVB is too important to mess with. I'd go with the best tube style bulb you can find along with appropriate fixture. I just picked up a new T5 HO fixture and an Arcadia HO bulb to span the entire 36'' of my tank and couldn't be happier.

Can you give more detail on your setup please?
Arcadia D3 12% ? Which fixture?
Height of enclosure and some of the distances to the bulb?
Is the bulb mounted inside or on top?

Thanks.

 

[CooperDragon]

On mine?
I have this fixture http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/34t5hofihou.html and this bulb http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ard3t534in39.html

The enclosure is a 36''x18''x18'' exo terra with front doors. The substrate is ceramic tile and basking spot ranges 99.5 - 107. Cool side is currently 80.5. The highest point of the basking spot is 8'' from the ground with most of it around 5'' from the ground. That puts the basking spot between 8'' and 11'' from the lights. Both lights are mounted on the top of the enclosure.

 

[Wolfeden]

Great, thank you.

Any noticeable changes in the BD's behavior?

 

[CooperDragon]

Yes, but I think the long baths, sunlight, attention, and eye rinsing helped more than anything so far. I've only had him for under 24hrs. He was caked in sand/filth and had a (probably faulty) solar glo previously.

 

[Wolfeden]

I suspect my rescued BD also had a probably faulty solar glo. :roll: