glitch_in_the_system
Juvie Member
I thought I'd put together a topic on setting up enclosures for current and future dragon owners out there to help stem the confusion fed to people by petstore employees.
Size
Minimum tank size for one adult dragon is a 40 gallon breeder tank according to many, but I highly recommend something bigger. The most important thing to remember when buying or building a tank is that floor space is most important. I highly recommend 4lx2hx2w or 5lx2hx2w enclosures. You love you dragon, that is presumably why you bought it, so why would you not want to provide it with adequate space to live happily?
Lighting and Heating
Most important lighting in your tank is the UVB source. Your bearded dragon absolutely needs this. The best bulbs for this purpose are either the Reptisun 10.0 Florescent Tube ( http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/-/zoo-med-24-repti-sun-100-fluorescent-bulb/ ) or the Megaray MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulb) from http://reptileuv.com
If using the Reptisun you also need to provide a basking bulb which provides additional light, but more importantly heat. Your best bet is to avoid "basking bulbs" from petstores as they are just standard bulbs in fancy packaging that cost more. I highly recommend using standard halogen bulbs from a hardware store or department store.
The wattage needed for you basking bulb varies based on you need but the basking spot needs to be between 100-110f.
Your tank should be lit up for 12-14 hours a day. Your best bet for setting up your tank light cycle is to use a simply lamp timer which is available at all hardware stores and most department stores.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100652846/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Your basking spot should be at one end of your tank so that the other end of the tank is cooler. If temperatures at night drop below 65f you should use a Ceramic Heat Emitter to keep the tank above 65f. Do not use colored bulbs as they will disrupt your reptiles sleeping habits, and do not use under-tank heaters as dragons do not sense heat from below and may be burned.
DO NOT USE: Compact UV bulbs, Reptisun 2.0 or 5.0 bulbs, Reptiglo 5.0 bulbs, red heat bulbs, blacklight bulbs, heating pad/mats
Substrate
Many people argue and debate about sand. I have had bad experience with it in the past so I tend to side against it. If for whatever reason you choose sand use washed and sifted silica-free play-sand only because reptile sands are actually more dangerous than regular sand.
My substrate of choice is slate tiles because they don't have to be replaced, are easy to clean, carry non of the risks of sand, and look great.
Other options are reptile carpet and paper towels.
DO NOT USE: crushed walnut shells, bark, calcisand, or other particle substrates as they carry potentially fatal risks to your dragon.
Decor
The most important item within your enclosure is going to be your basking spot. Many options are available to you including driftwood, large stones, tiles, homemade or store bought basking platforms, and hide spots like rock caves and half logs. As stated in the lighting section, it is important that your dragon is able to get close enough to your basking bulb so that the temperature reaches 100-110f. This is important for the digestive health of your dragon. You will also need a feeding dish of some sort in which you will place your dragons veggies. You can also decorate with items like fake plants.
DO NOT USE: water bowls (can increase the humidity to unsafe levels, and are a breeding ground for bacteria)
For those wanting a more complicated enclosure take a look at these topics:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/falserock/
http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/index.html
http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/
Size
Minimum tank size for one adult dragon is a 40 gallon breeder tank according to many, but I highly recommend something bigger. The most important thing to remember when buying or building a tank is that floor space is most important. I highly recommend 4lx2hx2w or 5lx2hx2w enclosures. You love you dragon, that is presumably why you bought it, so why would you not want to provide it with adequate space to live happily?
Lighting and Heating
Most important lighting in your tank is the UVB source. Your bearded dragon absolutely needs this. The best bulbs for this purpose are either the Reptisun 10.0 Florescent Tube ( http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/-/zoo-med-24-repti-sun-100-fluorescent-bulb/ ) or the Megaray MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulb) from http://reptileuv.com
If using the Reptisun you also need to provide a basking bulb which provides additional light, but more importantly heat. Your best bet is to avoid "basking bulbs" from petstores as they are just standard bulbs in fancy packaging that cost more. I highly recommend using standard halogen bulbs from a hardware store or department store.
The wattage needed for you basking bulb varies based on you need but the basking spot needs to be between 100-110f.
Your tank should be lit up for 12-14 hours a day. Your best bet for setting up your tank light cycle is to use a simply lamp timer which is available at all hardware stores and most department stores.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100652846/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Your basking spot should be at one end of your tank so that the other end of the tank is cooler. If temperatures at night drop below 65f you should use a Ceramic Heat Emitter to keep the tank above 65f. Do not use colored bulbs as they will disrupt your reptiles sleeping habits, and do not use under-tank heaters as dragons do not sense heat from below and may be burned.
DO NOT USE: Compact UV bulbs, Reptisun 2.0 or 5.0 bulbs, Reptiglo 5.0 bulbs, red heat bulbs, blacklight bulbs, heating pad/mats
Substrate
Many people argue and debate about sand. I have had bad experience with it in the past so I tend to side against it. If for whatever reason you choose sand use washed and sifted silica-free play-sand only because reptile sands are actually more dangerous than regular sand.
My substrate of choice is slate tiles because they don't have to be replaced, are easy to clean, carry non of the risks of sand, and look great.
Other options are reptile carpet and paper towels.
DO NOT USE: crushed walnut shells, bark, calcisand, or other particle substrates as they carry potentially fatal risks to your dragon.
Decor
The most important item within your enclosure is going to be your basking spot. Many options are available to you including driftwood, large stones, tiles, homemade or store bought basking platforms, and hide spots like rock caves and half logs. As stated in the lighting section, it is important that your dragon is able to get close enough to your basking bulb so that the temperature reaches 100-110f. This is important for the digestive health of your dragon. You will also need a feeding dish of some sort in which you will place your dragons veggies. You can also decorate with items like fake plants.
DO NOT USE: water bowls (can increase the humidity to unsafe levels, and are a breeding ground for bacteria)
For those wanting a more complicated enclosure take a look at these topics:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/falserock/
http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/index.html
http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/
Nhà Cái Cá Cược Trực Tuyến Đáng Chơi Nhất 2024
