Moving and updating....

[kiara]

Ryuu recently moved from a 54 gallon into a 75 gallon tank. I'm still getting everything perfect for her, but have some questions.

1- Is there a way I can secure the ceramic tile to the glass bottom of the tank? I still need to have a few cut to fit in the front, but I need to secure them somehow. I have aquarium sealant for fixing a fish tank of mine, does that work?

2- What is the best way to build a basking platform? (I am unhandy when it comes to building things )

3- Is it possible to build a DIY fountain? She likes the sound and look of splashing water, so rather than a water bowl... I want to give her a fountain, but don't want to spend the $80 if I don't have too.

 

[RangoTheBeardie]

Noticed no one has been around to help you out yet!? ODD for this site! I'm not sure if you got any answers yet.

First a fountain and a bearded dragon are not a good mix. A fountain can raise the humidity levels in the viv and over time lead to respiratory problems. So I would definitely nix that idea, and a water bowl isn't really necessary unless you know your beardie goes in it, bc it too can raise the humidity levels.

Ceramic tile can be put on the bottom of the viv with ceramic tile adhesive. You can find it in the grout and ceramic tile area of your Home Depot or Lowes. I'm not sure if aquarium silicone would work but I guess you could try. Are you butting them up right next to one another or do you plan to put grout in between them?

Basking platforms are easy to build from styrofoam and grout, but if you don't think that's your cup of tea, bc well it can get really messy and time consuming, I learned that the hard way, but it was a SUPER FUN project! Besides building them from the grout and styrofoam you could get a large branch and bleach it free of parasites, though I'm not entirely sure how this procedure works, or just buy one. I found a really nice one at PetSmart for $15. It's about 11" high. My beardies really seem to like it.

 

[kiara]

Nope, no responses but yours I'm a bit of a lurker around here, mostly b/c I didn't have a lot of time for much til I got layed off... a blessing in disguise, hu?

I've looked for logs before, but most I find at stores wouldn't work as she likes to climb up onto things and it would tip over. I don't think she'd like that.

She actually loves her water bowl, and drinks quite a bit, but prefers drinking if she can hear the water moving (like when I'm filling it up, or when she's in the tub). Her tank has an open top right now, but I'm building a screen cover so I can stop freaking out about the kitten trying to join her for some fun... would the humidity really build up if it could escape through the top?

I've started collecting styrofoam.... we'll see how that goes, lol

And about the tiles..... Right now they are sitting on paper towels and I take them all out and clean them off weekly. I don't like how they tend to move a little bit and stuff gets between them.... so I guess grouting them into place, but I'm guessing Ryuu might have to move back into the smaller tank while all that dries?

 

[PumpkinJelly]

I'm just gonna butt in right here, because I saw you wanted to put a fountain in your viv. Fountains are GREAT for reptiles that need a good, stable amount of humidity in their vivs. For Bearded Dragons, it's the complete opposite. Rango already went over the part where it'll highly increase your chance of your Beardie getting a Respiratory Infection (Which is true!) . May I remind you that these are not rainforest reptiles, but they're desert reptiles. They need a "dry-as-a-bone" enclosure that they can thrive in. Even with a screen top, the humidity will still linger in your tank. I have a 40 gallon breeder tank with a sliding screened top. I only have a shallow dish of water in there and I STILL have problems with humidity. 50% Humidity is the most they can handle. Sometimes mine soars to 70%. I don't know if this is the result of a faulty hydrometer or something, but I'll trust it for now. If your Beardie likes running water, I'd start bathing her in a kitchen or bathroom sink. Have the drainplug slightly open, so a small bit of water can escape, and turn on the faucet to a low level with warm water and leave it on as you bathe her (ALWAYS SUPERVISE HER THOUGH!). It'll still make the same noise and she'll have a ball during bathtime! Trust me, If I could have a fountian put in my Beardie's tank, I would've already had one. I saw one at PetSmart and thought it was a great idea, but was a little upset that I couldn't buy it since my Beardie wouldn't thrive with it in his tank. Hope I Helped!

 

[kiara]

the humidity of the house (and state) alone is always WAY more than 50%.... :?

 

[PumpkinJelly]

the humidity of the house (and state) alone is always WAY more than 50%.... :?

There's nothing you can do about it if it's like that way where you live. It's just that Beardies come from a hot and dry climate. But adding a water fountain will just boost it. Most likely you live in a hot state, so the hot air + water fountain = LOTS of Humidty. I mean sure, If you want to go right ahead and buy a fountain, I'm not stopping you. I'm just saying it makes your chance of respiratory infection higher. If you think your Beardie won't get it then go right ahead. There's nothing that's like... illegalling you to put a fountain in there, it's just not reccomended. I hope I've helped

My Beardie, Fiz & KD said Hello! :wave:

 

[kiara]

K... I think I'm going to try and find a bigger version of the bowl my Leo has and use that. Still trying to piece together a background for her tho... Her new light is installed and she's still pissy that she's not napping yet. I can't help it that she's staying warmer than normal this winter.

How does the grouted styrofoam hold up under heat?

 

[PumpkinJelly]

A water bowl will be fine Just try to keep it from being directly under the basking light, so the water doesn't evaporate so quickly.

What kind of background will you be using? Do you mean like, a picture that you stick on the back to make it look nice, or like, a rock background? (Just wondering! :lol

Grouted styrofoam, from what I've heard/seen, holds up pretty well under heat. If you make it strong, sturdy, and durable with enough layers of grout, it should hold up pretty well. If you mean temperature wise, I'm not sure how hot they get. I'm assuming that since they're so popular, that they don't get hot enough to burn or harm your Beardie. I personally don't have one, but I have read and seen other peoples' customized styro-grout rocks. From what the reveiws say, they're pretty good! I'd ask Rango about it if you have any concerns about it. She made some pretty cool ones! You could also PM Jess. She's really helpful with the rocks!

Fiz & KD said Hello!

 

[kiara]

I want to make her something she can climb around on... she's lazy, but I'll at least give her the option. Her heat lamp was heating better til I had to upgrade the dome, now it doesn't feel like it is... the temp gauge measures fine, but it doesn't feel warm enough despite what it says.

She has a bowl... I'm just bored w/ the current set up, lol.