First Vivarium

[alrha]

Hi everyone, I finally decided to get a bearded dragon for my young boys.
First step is to select and order the vivarium.
I am not looking to build one from scratch, I much rather purchase a professionally built one of good quality and set it atop a media base stand

I have come across Custom Cages and wish for them to build to the dimensions of 52"wide x 21"deep x 24.5" high with glass windows on the sides.

This will be kept in the children's playroom in the basement which has all white wooden furniture and the white enclosure would fit well in the room.
I am completely open to the advice and suggestion of those on this site.
Thanks,
Albert

 

[alrha]

I'm ready to order today (takes about 3 weeks till i get it, should be enough time to get everything else i need in the meanwhile).
Just want to be sure before I place the order:
Size is ok? (52"wide x 21"deep x 24.5" high)
How many vents do I need? 3 or 4?
How far off the back wall does it need to be placed for proper ventilation?
Anything else I'm forgetting or missing? This is being custom built, so I have the ability to make any adjustments to this before I order if needed.

 

[definitions]

maybe bring the height of the enclosure down to 18" remember dragons are ground dwelling lizards. They have no need to really climb. You can put 3 or 4 vent holes in the back wall. up to you on how mayn you want, just make sure the enclosure has proper ventilation. Also don't forget your light fixtures for the UVB TUBE and your basking bulb fixture. When you are adding in your cage furniture make sure the basking area is some kind of platform at a slight angle and kind of raised. This can be done with a nice big rock or some nice big driftwood. That way the dragon can get 6 to 8 inches from the uvb rays. Never use sand in your enclosure find some nice slate tile and use that for the flooring of your enlcosure.

 

[alrha]

thanks definitions,
I know he doesn't really need the height, but it doesn't hurt does it? I can just build him some rocks/wood that he can climb on on and hang out to be closer to the lights.
The floor area of 52x21 should be roomy enough for him, right?
I may as well go with 4 vents on the back rather than 3. Better to have an extra one than to not have enough.
As far as ventilation, is there anything I need to do (small vent fan or something?) or is it just passively ventilated? how much room should i leave between the wall and the vents? 1"-2"?
They have an option to add a "basking shelf" inside - is that worth installing? or better to just build up rocks and such?
Anything I should consider for this custom built unit? any other features I should include?

Once I finalize these details for the case, you are right, i will need to work on selecting my lights/flooring/walls/decor/etc.

 

[alrha]

Also, is there any reason not to place the vents as high up on the back wall as possible so as not to interfere with a background and to be less visible?

 

[spyder79]

Did you already order? The only reason I ask is because, IMO, you can get a nicer cage (furniture grade wise) for less. My personal preference is boa master (http://www.boamaster.com)

 

[alrha]

Did you already order? The only reason I ask is because, IMO, you can get a nicer cage (furniture grade wise) for less. My personal preference is boa master (http://www.boamaster.com)

was just about to, we already agreed on details and price but did not finalize an order yet.
I dont know, I looked at those boamasters and they did not seem as nice to me as the custom cages.
gonna also place the vents as high up on the back wall as possible to be behind the lights and not so visible or interfere with background.

 

[spyder79]

Did you already order? The only reason I ask is because, IMO, you can get a nicer cage (furniture grade wise) for less. My personal preference is boa master (http://www.boamaster.com)

was just about to, we already agreed on details and price but did not finalize an order yet.
I dont know, I looked at those boamasters and they did not seem as nice to me as the custom cages.
gonna also place the vents as high up on the back wall as possible to be behind the lights and not so visible or interfere with background.

I own 4 of the wood boa master tanks (not the plastic ones which I do not like) and they are probably the highest quality tank I have ever owned. But to each his own i suppose lol.

 

[alrha]

My furniture (pottery barn kids) is white and just the styling of the custom cages would likely fit better in the room. I also prefer the sliding doors for my kids as opposed to the fold down doors (which i see them hitting themselves in the face with each time they open it).

 

[alrha]

ok, now on to selecting my lighting.
All I need is a UVB (Reptisun 10.0) and a Heat Emitter (no light)?

On the Reptisun 10.0 (best choice?)
Should is go with a 48" length? and one bulb or 2?
Are these bright enough to light up the vivarium?

On the Heat Emitter:
Any particular ones that are better than others?
Better to go with one that has no light - just heat?
How many watts would I need? 50w?

Any particular fixtures to get for these? It will all be inside the vivarium on the ceiling.
Is a ZooMed hood worth getting? or just a fluorescent fixture and a incandescent socket?