Building vs Buying

[Katiedud]

Hey all.
Originally I was going to build a viv for my future beardie, but im thinking id probably rather buy one. I intend on getting an adult so I would need an adult size viv. Does anyone have any good websites that sell any? Preferably websites you've had experience with. There's some rep shows coming up locally so if I dont find something there, id like to have a website to fall back on.
I live in the US on the east coast if that makes a difference.
Im also going to add my check list to this thread in a little while just to make sure I've got everything covered. Silly me didn't write stuff down that I've read so I've been trying to remember and find everything and write it down this time. Lol.
thanks all!
Kate

 

[Katiedud]

Ok. Lets see if I got it all on my shopping list!! Here we go!

-55+ Gallon enclosure
-UVB light of appropriate length for tank (haven't decided between Arcadia 12 or Reptisun 10 yet)
-Basking light
-Appropriate fixtures for lights & command hooks for UVB fixture
-Substrate(will probably use reptile carpet)
-A hide
-Branch for basking
-Food dish & small water dish
-Container for bath time
-Background for tank
-Timer, Dimmer, powerstrip/surge protector
-Temp gun
-Calcium & Multivitamin

Please feel free to fill in the blanks. Also, I intend to buy an adult beardie, so tank size wont be an issue.
Thanks again!!!
-Kate

 

[RuselBro]

A 55G tank is WAY to Skinny for an Adult Beardie. An Adult will average from 18-24 inches Long, and a 55G Tank is only 12 inches wide, that gives the beardie No room to turn around or roam.

You need a Tank that is At Least 48L x 24W x 24H. You have 2 option's, 1 to build it, or 2 is to go on this link, go to the very bottom of the Page and the biggest tank they have is 48L x 24W x 18H and that would work for a Beard. Link = http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/critter-cages.htm

Or you can try and find another site that has an enclosure that is the Correct Size.

Also you do not want to use any type of colored Bulb for a Beardie at Night, Not red, black, ect.
Beardies Can see colored light at night and beardies need almost complete Darkness to Sleep.
You only need extra heat at night if the Temp's fall below 65 degrees. And if they do, you need to use a CHE "Ceramic Heat Emitter" it produce's no light only heat, and screw's into a Dome or regular ceramic light socket.

Also you should probably use Slate Tile or Ceramic Tile. Slate tile is Easy to clean, keep's the beardies nail's trimmed, look's nice and is cheap. Ceramic does the same except it is slick so it does not trim their nail's. I have heard a lot of people complain about the reptile carpet, you have to wash it a lot, it shrink's, ect.

 

[Katiedud]

I wasn't very specific on the tank size. I should have put "breeder" in there. It probably wont be in the 50-55 range anyways. Im going for long, wide and somewhat tall(not too tall cause of the uvb rays). Im not really good with matching the size of a tank with a number. Lol. But when I see an enclosure that will be the best for my beardie, that's what i'll get.

As for night time lights, I dont plan to use one because my apartment stays pretty warm. Im on the 3rd floor which helps with heat and I also have several other reptiles. So we always keep the temps high in my place.

When I started writing this list on this thread, I had put in slate tile. I read it off to my fiancee, and he said he wasnt too keen on slate because "if I slip and drop it ill break the tank" ...*rolls eyes* ... So last minute I changed it to the carpet. But on my paper copy of this list, I still have slate. Which is probably what im going to buy. Unless I find something better that'll put his mind at ease as well as be a good choice for my beardie. I intend on building a hidey hole-climb thing for my beardie, and ill probably use some kind of grout so it has a rough texture to also help with keeping the nails trimmed. Of course, I will make sure whatever I use to build the hidey hole-climb is 100% safe and non-toxic..