Bigger than 40 g

[Bmac60]

Hello
I am looking to upgrade my beardies tank. He has a 36x18x18 and I am having a hard time finding something bigger. I also want to be able to open the enclosure through the front, not only the top. Does anyone have suggestions on where I can find something like this? I’ve found a bigger one on amazon with Carolina custom cages but they are always out of stock
Thanks for the help

 

[CooperDragon]

It's tough to find ones larger than that for sale in general. Probably due to high shipping costs. You can have them custom built but it's more cost effective to build your own. You could repurpose a piece of furniture that is appropriately sized or follow a common build pattern like this one https://beardies.dreamwidth.org/2145.html

 

[kingofnobbys]

An option is to visit an Op-Shop and buy a old timber buffet or tv cabinet or chest of drawers (lowboy) and do a conversion .... lots of people who are handy with basic tools do very good jobs and wind up with fabulous looking furniture grade vivs.

Another option is to contact a local cabinet maker (the guys who make kitchen cabinets) or a local chippy (carpenter) if you are unable to throw a bigger viv together from plywood or MDF or Melamine or Perspex or using something like a the CONNECTIT system
https://www.metalmate.com.au/connect-it
to built the structure onto which you attach the Perspex or glass or plywood or melamine sheets and sliding front doors.

There are companies who build vivs from fiberglass and from PVC (I wouldn't recommend the PVC versions (I'd be worried about outgassing when the basking globe or CHE is on) but people do use them and they seem happy with the product).
https://www.cornelsworld.com/ .... here is one of their bigger vivs (4ft x 2ft) that looks very nice

I know (at least here in Australia) vivs made from melamine and mdf are available for sale in flatpack format ( you simply assemble all precut pieces and screw it all together on arrival ) and many people use these , which are OK for "arid" / dry vivs like what we need for bearded dragons , but not so flash for jungle reptiles who need high humidity.

 

[JessPets]

Your best bet is building one yourself honestly. Very few tools are needed and it really isn't too hard, and the cost will be substantially lower too!

 

[kingofnobbys]

Your best bet is building one yourself honestly. Very few tools are needed and it really isn't too hard, and the cost will be substantially lower too!

Certainly is . I build my stacked 2x 4ftx2ftx1.5ft double bay enclosure for my two BTs in a weekend, and a 2x 4ftx2ftx2ft double bay enclosure for the beardies in another weekend , both using 3/4in plywood.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Here's a conversion someone here did : https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/bearded-enclosure-tv-wall-unit.221826/#post-2513073

 

[lizardmom25]

I just finished the structural build on my 4x2x2. I am working on some stryofoam rockwork and then it will be complete. I have about $300 invested so far, but you could definitely do it cheaper. We used higher grade plywood with a nice veneer, and I had glass cut for the sliding doors and ordered a traking system for them online that allows me to remover the doors. If you used lower grade plywood or melamine and just used the metal tracking you can get at Lowes with the plastic doors it would be substantially cheaper. Once I finish the rockwork I will probably have closer to $400 invested, but it will be set for the lifetime of my little guy with the exception of replacement bulbs.

 

[Bmac60]

Wow thanks for all the suggestions everybody! So my only concern is that I wanted to make his tank bioactive. Can I do that with a melamine tank? Because I know I need the led for the plants

 

[lizardmom25]

From what I have read, bioactive for bearded dragons is very difficult in a tank smaller than 6x3x3 It is hard to maintain the temps they need and the plant life because their basking lamps tend to dry things out, and the damp substrate is a breeding ground for fungus, even with adequate CUC. I have a bioactive setup for my crested, but he is fine at room temp, so I really wanted to do it for my beardie, but I just think there is too much risk.

 

[Bmac60]

Darn that really sucks. I’m tired of cleaning up poop! Lol

 

[JessPets]

Yeah, unfortunetely, due to their size, a bioactove setup in a beardie tank is nearly impossible, though it has been done. Clean is fairly easy if you use something such a slate tile, paper towels, or shelf liner.

 

[CooperDragon]

Bioactive is doable but takes some work to get going. It does require more space because you need extra height to allow for proper drainage layers. If you made the tank 4x2x4 or larger it should be able to hold bioactive substrate.