Go big or small for 1st enclosure?/ lighting, heating questi

[Jadynn]

I've read some people's ideas and some say start out with the big 55+ tank right away. Then if needed space it off for a baby, easier to find food, etc. Now I have a smaller 20 gal....should I just roll right into a big tank, that is when I find one at a reasonable price..craigs. Or start him in the 20 gal?

One more question, if in the 55+ tank, do i go MVB bulb still, or go smaller since it may be sectioned off?
and if in the 20 gal, I've read differant heating lighting ideas also.....what would be the best uv/lighting combination to use.
I'm so used to snakes, so not to familiar with this UV stuff, been doing alot of reading, but of course want to make sure I do it right....so the little guy won't suffer......thanks....

 

[beardie parents]

If you get a small baby and already have a 20L tank, yes that will work for a couple of months. Eventually you will need to upgrade. I wouldn't suggest a 55 gallon as they aren't very wide, they are only about 12 inches wide and for an adult, it's to narrow. I have a 40 breeder for Speedy and a 20l that needs to be replaced soon as Zoom's getting a little to large for it. I have found a 60 gallon, which is a little longer than the 40 breeder and just as wide. If you want to start with a larger tank, I'd get either the 40 breeder or the 60 I mentioned. You can section it off and slowly grow larger as he grows.

Add: If you use the 20L you should use the Reptisun 10 tube, I have that and use a 60 watt bulb, which sometimes must be propped up to avoid to much heat in the middle of the day, and the Reptisun 10 18inch tube. I got a fish tank bulb holder as I'm more comfortable with the way the uvb gets to my girls with that holder than with the cheap ones I've found in Walmart and Home Depot.

 

[Jadynn]

yeah I mostly figured on the size cages, going mostly for as wide as possbile so they can turn around comfortable as adults, but now the other ? is the lighting/heating on the smaller tank.....thanks again

 

[Johnnyboy]

I believe getting the 55+ tank with the tank divider would be cheaper long term. As for lighting, one MVB is pretty much all they need if there is enough space to create a hot end and cool end . They can never get too much UVB so you could combine the MVB with a fluorescent tube light to light up the cooler end. http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.htm