Is 75 gallon too big for a baby

[KyleG]

I'm getting a 5" baby beardie on Friday. I got a 75 gallon tank with a stand on craigslist for a steal. I sterilized it and was going to set everything up today and tomorrow. But now I hear that it may be too big for a baby and you might want to keep him in a smaller enclosure for a little while. I would rather just set up the 75 bc I already have a 48" light fixture for the uv. I will go get another tank and fluorescent fixure if need be but not if I don't have to. Any input?

Any ideas on substrate that is a little more aesthetically pleasing than paper towel. I don't mind spending a little more on those reptile pads. It was a war to get my gf to agree to this in the first place. The main reason I got her to say yes is bc it's going to look nice and bring some life to our livving room (pun intended lol).

Thanks guys
Kyle

 

[my3sons]

indoor outdoor carpet works well for a substrate.....i bought it at home depot for a few dollars..just make sure the nap is tight so their nail donot get caught

 

[Angiecountrygirl]

Some people say to start your beardie in a small enclosure - I've done alot of reading up on this and it's not necessary. Remember, in the wild there's no restraints in where they can roam. I say put your baby in the 75 gallon (I would just put a smaller container in there when giving the live feeders so it's not too stressful to chase crickets, etc.).
Good luck, and don't forget to show us some pictures. :mrgreen:

 

[KyleG]

Yea I also heard that about the smaller container. Plus it's easier for me to catch the leftovers after he's done eating ;-)

thanks for the info on the carpet I'll go over there on my way home from work.

I'll hopefully get some pics up this weekend.

 

[my3sons]

i bought a section and cut it into three sections for a 75 gallon and for 9.00-cheat-also i have a 75g and a 40 breeder and both babies are a few months old-no problems

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Tile is also a very nice looking substrate. Slate works well or a tile with a somewhat rough finish so beardie can get traction. It is also very easy to keep clean.
If the 75 gallon seems to be overwhelming your little guy(especially at only 5 inches) you can alwyas divide part of the tank off with cardboard to make it smaller.
You can also feed your beardie in a separate rubbermaid container. This way what ever they don't eat you don't have to worry about leaving behind in the viv. Crickets can and will nibble on a beardie if left in the viv.

 

[KyleG]

Tile is also a very nice looking substrate. Slate works well or a tile with a somewhat rough finish so beardie can get traction. It is also very easy to keep clean.
If the 75 gallon seems to be overwhelming your little guy(especially at only 5 inches) you can alwyas divide part of the tank off with cardboard to make it smaller.
You can also feed your beardie in a separate rubbermaid container. This way what ever they don't eat you don't have to worry about leaving behind in the viv. Crickets can and will nibble on a beardie if left in the viv.

yea I saw the tile in alot of the enclosure pictures it looks real nice. I was thinking about looking into that. I would imagine u would need an under the tank heater on the cool side bc the tile would get too cold, no?

And yea I got a nice litte critter keeper to hold him for feeding and when I need to clean.

I am going to make a 3d background this weekend hopefully. I have been looking at diy's I think I have a grasp on how to do it.

 

[Elijahsmom]

Nah don't do an under-tank heater, their bellies don't have the best nerve endings and they could burn themselves and besides you wouldn't have a cool side. Don't worry about the tile on the cool side when they get too cool they go back to the warm side. It sounds like your doing fine. Looking forward to pics soon!

 

[KyleG]

tragedy... my beardie came in the mail today. Dead. He looks like he was beautiful. I was apprehensive about shipping but i read enough to convince me otherwise. ugh.

 

[my3sons]

I am sooooo sorry for the loss.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Oh No! That is awful. I am so sorry. Did you contact the breeder and let them know? I wonder what went wrong! That is very sad

 

[KyleG]

yea i contacted him. We will see what happens.

 

[Elijahsmom]

I'm sooooo sorry to hear about that. I hope the company is able to make it up to you!

 

[KyleG]

yea he did the right thing, even refunded the shipping.

 

[lesleyg1989]

I don't think you need to get a whole new tank you could maybe buy a tank divider from a local pet shop or online and just make sure that the basking spot and the UV is in that end.