Bearded Dragon cage

[Axelito]

Hello

This is my first time getting a beardie and i would like to know how to make a safe cage...

1. Can i make the cage walls of MDF panels or would all the heat get away?

2. Also is it enough to have only one glasspanel on your 150x60x60 terrarium? It will be normal glass around 0,5-6 cm thick

3. Should i have a net as roof so my beardie wont escape, i also heard that its needed for proper air circulation is thy true?

4. How many lamps would i need and do you guys know any good lamps?

5. Can you make a own terrarium for around $300?

6. I need names of non-toxic building materials and paint so please tell me

7. Aaaaaaand for the last question how do place a background in my terrarium and should i put glass over it?

Sorry for my english its not my native language xD

See you in next post!

 

[Taterbug]

1) I'd stick with something at least 1/2" thick. From experience thinner is both structurally weak and much less insulating. Something easy to seal is important as poops and water can ruin unsealed cages.

2) depends on your doors. I like the whole front to be glass for visibility and prefer sliding doors for access. #1 priority is usability - getting in/out to clean and fitting furnishings in. After that it's nice to let in natural light when possible.

3) I like solid roofs and side vents - the solid lid keeps heat in better and allows for light fixture mounting easier. Dragons can jump, but how high depends on the dragon and what furnishings they have to launch from. Pepper has only gotten out of his open top travel tub when I put too tall a rock in it. Many people have open top cages and no escapes.

4) I use ceramic sockets for my basking lamps, and sunblaster fixtures for UVB. There are many ways to do lighting - I would start by picking what type of uvb you want to offer (tube, MVB, or metal halide) and what type of basking light (halogen, MVB, metal halide) you want. Each has different pros/cons and requirements. The lights you pick will end up setting the distances from the basking spot. How many depends on what type you pick and often on your individual setup.

5) Yes. For me glass has been the most costly, followed by lighting. I think my 4x2x2 cost around 200.

6) avoid pine, cedar and cypress, as well as treated lumber. I use hardwood laminated plywood, some people use melamine but I find it ugly. Acrylic paints, pond paints and non-toxic paints are acceptable, but it's worth researching them anyway. I don't paint the insides of my cages, just seal them with several coats of polyurethane or polycrylic (water based polyurethane). I like polycrylic because it cures faster and stinks less when applying it.

7) you don't need glass for the background. If it's a picture or something paper I would seal over it. If it's plastic/laminated just hang it up. Lots of people like to make fake rock walls from polystyrene foam and grout. You can also use tiles, cork bark slabs or other natural looking things. It has the advantage of giving the dragon more things to interact with and do.

I hope this helps! If anything is confusing or unclear let me know if be happy to clarify. Your English is excellent, by the way.

 

[Axelito]

1) I'd stick with something at least 1/2" thick. From experience thinner is both structurally weak and much less insulating. Something easy to seal is important as poops and water can ruin unsealed cages.

2) depends on your doors. I like the whole front to be glass for visibility and prefer sliding doors for access. #1 priority is usability - getting in/out to clean and fitting furnishings in. After that it's nice to let in natural light when possible.

3) I like solid roofs and side vents - the solid lid keeps heat in better and allows for light fixture mounting easier. Dragons can jump, but how high depends on the dragon and what furnishings they have to launch from. Pepper has only gotten out of his open top travel tub when I put too tall a rock in it. Many people have open top cages and no escapes.

4) I use ceramic sockets for my basking lamps, and sunblaster fixtures for UVB. There are many ways to do lighting - I would start by picking what type of uvb you want to offer (tube, MVB, or metal halide) and what type of basking light (halogen, MVB, metal halide) you want. Each has different pros/cons and requirements. The lights you pick will end up setting the distances from the basking spot. How many depends on what type you pick and often on your individual setup.

5) Yes. For me glass has been the most costly, followed by lighting. I think my 4x2x2 cost around 200.

6) avoid pine, cedar and cypress, as well as treated lumber. I use hardwood laminated plywood, some people use melamine but I find it ugly. Acrylic paints, pond paints and non-toxic paints are acceptable, but it's worth researching them anyway. I don't paint the insides of my cages, just seal them with several coats of polyurethane or polycrylic (water based polyurethane). I like polycrylic because it cures faster and stinks less when applying it.

7) you don't need glass for the background. If it's a picture or something paper I would seal over it. If it's plastic/laminated just hang it up. Lots of people like to make fake rock walls from polystyrene foam and grout. You can also use tiles, cork bark slabs or other natural looking things. It has the advantage of giving the dragon more things to interact with and do.

I hope this helps! If anything is confusing or unclear let me know if be happy to clarify. Your English is excellent, by the way.

Thanks so much, now i know about everything i have too know! See you very nice answers by the way