Building a new Viv-NEED ADVICE

[funmom]

My husband is enclosing a space of 60" L x 30" W x 16"H for our 5 year old beardie. It has plywood on 3 sides and not sure how were going to do top and front yet. Need some suggestions since its such a large area on how many lights I'm going to need for basking side or strength. Thinking of tile for bottom. How do you keep crickets from crawling up walls? I see vents used as well. Our beardie has always been in a 55 g tank so we haven't come across these issues. PLEASE HELP or tell me where to look. Thanks.

 

[JessPets]

Hello! That is an awesome size, and I'm sure your beardie will appreciate that extra room =)
I use just regular halogen bulb (50 watts) with a dimmer - works great! For that big of an enclosure, I would definitely go with a t5 ReptiSun if you don't already have one. For crickets, i would feed outside the enclosure, in a Rubbermaid type bin. As far as vents go, you can buy some plastic ones like this for pretty cheap

But I just used screening glued firmly into place. Good luck! And for ideas, go here: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=66704

 

[MisterD83]

If feeding outside the enclosure isn't an option (like in my home) you can use this material instead of plywood. The crickets have a tough time climbing that coating.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Duramine-A...ally-Fused-Laminate-Particle-Board/1000059743

Doors I used 1/8 inch (I believe) plexiglas. Its a little cloudy after a couple years because of Dragon's claws. You can also use tempered glass if you in case it in wood for a longer lasting higher finish.

 

[funmom]

We were thinking of using like a tub around for sides for slickness. Also do I need a UVB bulb on basking and cooling side or just basking? Could I mount it in the middle?

 

[funmom]

Is halogen bulb for basking side?

 

[Gormagon]

We were thinking of using like a tub around for sides for slickness. Also do I need a UVB bulb on basking and cooling side or just basking? Could I mount it in the middle?

Mount the basking bulb on one end or the other, this will create a good horizontal temperature gradient in your dragons new layer (enclosure). The UVB needs to span at least 2/3 of the length of the top, the long tube type UVB will achieve this easily. In one that size I would recommend a 4' Reptisun 10.0 T8 because of the height being so short, if mounted inside. If it were 24" or taller I would recommend a 10.0 T5 HO.

 

[Gormagon]

Mine was 18" talk but I added another 7 1/2" to it and did mine like this:

It has a hinged lid for easy access to the lights and fixtures.

 

[JessPets]

That looks amazing!!

 

[Gormagon]

That looks amazing!!

Thanks Jess!!

 

[funmom]

We were thinking of using like a tub around for sides for slickness. Also do I need a UVB bulb on basking and cooling side or just basking? Could I mount it in the middle?

Mount the basking bulb on one end or the other, this will create a good horizontal temperature gradient in your dragons new layer (enclosure). The UVB needs to span at least 2/3 of the length of the top, the long tube type UVB will achieve this easily. In one that size I would recommend a 4' Reptisun 10.0 T8 because of the height being so short, if mounted inside. If it were 24" or taller I would recommend a 10.0 T5 HO.

im going to mount inside cause I don't think he's getting enough UVB now. He never sits on the hot side of the tank. I was just using a UVB bulb from Walmart. Someone had told me those were just as good. Was that wrong?

 

[funmom]

I don't know how to post a reply like ya' ll are doing to person I'm asking.

 

[Gormagon]

I don't know how to post a reply like ya' ll are doing to person I'm asking.

The quote button is at the top right corner of the post you want to respond to. Then type after the last quote bar.....bingo!

 

[Gormagon]

We were thinking of using like a tub around for sides for slickness. Also do I need a UVB bulb on basking and cooling side or just basking? Could I mount it in the middle?

Mount the basking bulb on one end or the other, this will create a good horizontal temperature gradient in your dragons new layer (enclosure). The UVB needs to span at least 2/3 of the length of the top, the long tube type UVB will achieve this easily. In one that size I would recommend a 4' Reptisun 10.0 T8 because of the height being so short, if mounted inside. If it were 24" or taller I would recommend a 10.0 T5 HO.

im going to mount inside cause I don't think he's getting enough UVB now. He never sits on the hot side of the tank. I was just using a UVB bulb from Walmart. Someone had told me those were just as good. Was that wrong?

I trust very little that Walmart sells to work well enough for my dragon! I have yet to see a UVB bulb at wallyworld!

 

[JessPets]

Certain brands are better; either Arcadia or Reptisun. What brand is the Walamart one? Chances are, it's probably junk

 

[funmom]

I don't know how to post a reply like ya' ll are doing to person I'm asking.

The quote button is at the top right corner of the post you want to respond to. Then type after the last quote bar.....bingo!

Im testing my quote answer lol