GogiDragon
New member
- Beardie name(s)
- Gogi
Hello, everyone!
I recently got a bearded dragon from Petsmart. I know, I know... Petsmart. I was there getting supplies and I saw him. He was free as they had him for awhile and was getting to big. He seemed healthy and alert, so I took him home. He's been to the vet already, has a bit of tail rot I am treating with Batadine and neosporin as well as came with a small piece of toe missing. Petsmart told me about the toe but not the tail. Other than these things, he is doing great. Loves his veggies and eats a variety of insects of course. Is very handleable and not very skittish. Rarely spends time in hides, likes to be out in the open so I guess that means they are feeling safe in the enclosure.
I currently have him in a 40 gallon. I know its on the small end, but he's currently only 11 inches so we have some time for me to work on a permanent enclosure. Which brings us to the point of this post. Thanks for reading this far!
I am currently deciding between Toad Ranch and Blackbox. I like Blackbox because they have more of the configurations I want on their website such as UVB mounting and LED mounting. The UVB and LED mounts aren't really a big deal as I know I can do it myself. My issue is that I will be paying close to $1,000 on the enclosure with either company and at that amount, I don't want to have to do anything myself beyond the assembly or compromise on things "I can add later". Toad Ranch website says they don't install LED but I am waiting for response regarding UVB. I will be going bioactive, so LED is needed.
The thing currently stopping me from going with Blackbox is the location of the ventilation slits. They are are located in upper area of tank on the back middle and corner ends as well as on the side by the back corners. From what I'm reading about bioactive setups and airflow in general for bearded dragons, it seems that the better setup for vents would be to have some at the top and some at the bottom, preferably on sides the way that Toad Ranch does them. I also like the option to add an air vent fan that Toad Ranch has. It seems that the staggered side vents/air vent fan combo would be better for ventilation, humidity, and airflow for a bioactive setup.
As far as humidity. Currently, with the mesh in a 40 gallon humidity levels are 17.1% in basking area (106 F) and 36% in cool area (80.4 F). Middle of tank is 27.3% (90.1 F). Slightly cool in the cool area but in about an hour temps should raise about 5 degrees and stay there for the remainder of day. Temps and humidity are measured by Govee Hygrometer Thermometer devices (Shown in pic with yellow mat). I am curious if these are good for humidity or i I should get something with a probe.
Enclosure placement will most likely be near the window as it is now. The only other good place for it is by the radiator and I think temps would be better controlled if its by the window. Especially, sine the humans in the apartment get overheated thanks to radiator.
I don't know if I'm overthinking this but, in my mind, sticking the lil guy in a box with just a few slits for ventilation for up to 15 years doesn't seem like the best way to go. I realize that I can also eliminate this issue completely by opting for the screen top, but I think a solid top would make the lil guy feel more secure based on their current behavior in the 40 gallon with mesh top. I'm wondering if I am overthinking this or if I am misunderstanding how ventilation works with enclosures.
Anyone willing to chime in with an opinion on this? To sum up, what's the best way to ventilate an enclosure to promote optimum ventilation and airflow in a bioactive environment? The goal would be to promote health of the occupant, maintain temps, and maintain humidity while preventing mold and other issues that can arise with bioactive setups. I'm willing to invest the time and money to make sure I establish a good long term home.
I recently got a bearded dragon from Petsmart. I know, I know... Petsmart. I was there getting supplies and I saw him. He was free as they had him for awhile and was getting to big. He seemed healthy and alert, so I took him home. He's been to the vet already, has a bit of tail rot I am treating with Batadine and neosporin as well as came with a small piece of toe missing. Petsmart told me about the toe but not the tail. Other than these things, he is doing great. Loves his veggies and eats a variety of insects of course. Is very handleable and not very skittish. Rarely spends time in hides, likes to be out in the open so I guess that means they are feeling safe in the enclosure.
I currently have him in a 40 gallon. I know its on the small end, but he's currently only 11 inches so we have some time for me to work on a permanent enclosure. Which brings us to the point of this post. Thanks for reading this far!
I am currently deciding between Toad Ranch and Blackbox. I like Blackbox because they have more of the configurations I want on their website such as UVB mounting and LED mounting. The UVB and LED mounts aren't really a big deal as I know I can do it myself. My issue is that I will be paying close to $1,000 on the enclosure with either company and at that amount, I don't want to have to do anything myself beyond the assembly or compromise on things "I can add later". Toad Ranch website says they don't install LED but I am waiting for response regarding UVB. I will be going bioactive, so LED is needed.
The thing currently stopping me from going with Blackbox is the location of the ventilation slits. They are are located in upper area of tank on the back middle and corner ends as well as on the side by the back corners. From what I'm reading about bioactive setups and airflow in general for bearded dragons, it seems that the better setup for vents would be to have some at the top and some at the bottom, preferably on sides the way that Toad Ranch does them. I also like the option to add an air vent fan that Toad Ranch has. It seems that the staggered side vents/air vent fan combo would be better for ventilation, humidity, and airflow for a bioactive setup.
As far as humidity. Currently, with the mesh in a 40 gallon humidity levels are 17.1% in basking area (106 F) and 36% in cool area (80.4 F). Middle of tank is 27.3% (90.1 F). Slightly cool in the cool area but in about an hour temps should raise about 5 degrees and stay there for the remainder of day. Temps and humidity are measured by Govee Hygrometer Thermometer devices (Shown in pic with yellow mat). I am curious if these are good for humidity or i I should get something with a probe.
Enclosure placement will most likely be near the window as it is now. The only other good place for it is by the radiator and I think temps would be better controlled if its by the window. Especially, sine the humans in the apartment get overheated thanks to radiator.
I don't know if I'm overthinking this but, in my mind, sticking the lil guy in a box with just a few slits for ventilation for up to 15 years doesn't seem like the best way to go. I realize that I can also eliminate this issue completely by opting for the screen top, but I think a solid top would make the lil guy feel more secure based on their current behavior in the 40 gallon with mesh top. I'm wondering if I am overthinking this or if I am misunderstanding how ventilation works with enclosures.
Anyone willing to chime in with an opinion on this? To sum up, what's the best way to ventilate an enclosure to promote optimum ventilation and airflow in a bioactive environment? The goal would be to promote health of the occupant, maintain temps, and maintain humidity while preventing mold and other issues that can arise with bioactive setups. I'm willing to invest the time and money to make sure I establish a good long term home.
